External Competition information

7/03/08

The Club plays an active role in inter-club competitions throughout the south west of England. Through its membership of the Western Counties Photographic Federation (WCPF) there is a natural link with over 90 other clubs in a geographical area extending from Stroud in the North West across to Swindon in the North East, Weymouth due South, and down to Lands End in Cornwall.

The Federation holds inter-club Print and Projected Image competitions on an annual basis, and there are a number of opportunities for individuals to send prints and projected images for expert judgement and display in the Members Exhibition. There is also an annual Audio Visual (AV) competition with individual and Club awards. This Club site contains a link to the WCPF where more information can be found. Our own club participants are also always happy to advise newly interested members.

The WCPF is affiliated to the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB). Entries to PAGB competitions tend to be federation representative, but 2008 will also see “The Great British Cup”, which has the potential to match over 500 British photographic clubs in a gigantic battle.

Within the County of Devon, we particularly compete within a grouping called the South Devon Photographic League (SDPL). The annual challenge is covered by the aggregate of one Print Battle and one Digitally Projected Image Battle, held on separate evenings within the season. The host clubs change on a rota basis, and comprise Newton Abbot, Crediton, Dawlish & Teignmouth, and Exmouth. The Devon Print and Digitally Projected Image Battle covers all Devon Clubs, with a single annual event which includes judgement of 5-image Print Panels, submitted by the participating clubs.

The Club has a number of members who increasingly take the challenge of entering national and international Salons, where the demonstration of high standards of technical and artistic ability are required. There are currently around 20 annual National Exhibitions (Salons) linked to the British Photographic Exhibitions (BPE) scheme. Success in these events can lead to BPE Crown and PAGB Awards. International Salons link with the French Federation Internationale de l’Art Photographique (FIAP) and the Photographic Society of America (PSA).

FIAP have, for the last two years, held the “FIAP Clubs’ World Cup”. This competition requires 20 digitally projected images to be supplied from at least 10 club members, thus testing the breadth of club expertise. Out of the 140 competing clubs from Europe, Asia and the Americas, Newton Abbot Photographic Club moved from the 43rd position, in 2006, to 23rd in 2007.

Much of the increased success has come from individual improvement, often driven by the exposure to Salon photography. Whilst all the above appears to focus on the highest expertise in the club, it should not detract from the primary wish of the club to help support the enjoyment of all members, including those who wish to continue to pursue their photographic experiences without the need to measure up in the competitive arena.

Outline External Competitions Calendar

September - FIAP Clubs’ World Cup (results in December)
November - PAGB inter-club “The Great British Cup”
November - WCPF Kingswood Salver (Print Panel)
December - SDPL Print Battle

January - WCPF Audio-Visual Competition
February - WCPF inter-club Digital Projected Image Competition “DPIC”
February - Entries due for WCPF Knightshayes Trophy (set theme – individual entries)
February - Entries due for WCPF Members Exhibition (individual entries)
April - SDPL Projected Image Battle
May - Devon Clubs Print and Digitally Projected Image Battle

The Club also arranges other ad-hoc inter-club competitions – please see the programme.