Gunmakers’ photographic competition 2020 – winners announced

Gunmakers entered 46 photographs in the three categories. Some were great snaps, others were of the standard that one might find in a quality newspaper.  Images were of shooting and dogs, of Easter blossom and flowers, and cooking.

Liveryman Paul Fievez (retired professional photographer) commented that ‘ the general standard very high ’, and, notwithstanding the limitations of smartphone, which many use, he said ‘ there are some highly creative and imaginative pictures with a generally very good technical quality. The entrants have clearly put time, and effort, into making some very good images’.

The Master and Wardens met online to judge last week and to decide a winner and runner up in each category. It was not easy.

Under ‘ best country sporting ’, comments included; Carl Langton: A classic : almost a gun catalogue shot. Louise Baltesz: Run for your life : although probably a snap on a smart phone, the speed of reaction to see what was happening and managing to take a picture was superb. Lynne Moore A nod to the old days : a really great picture post card image. Derek Stimpson: Indian Bison : a simple, but beautifully composed image. The engraving grabs and holds the eye and makes one want to know more about the gun and its’ story. Louise Baltesz: Walking out : a classic sporting picture. It is well composed and evokes a feeling of being part of the group on a good day on the moor. David Richards: Bringing in a runner : almost professional! Exceptionally well caught, well composed and no clutter.  See all entries for this category here .

The winner was David Richards: Bringing in a runner , runner up Louise Baltesz: Walking out and special mention for Derek Stimpson: Indian Bison

Turning to ‘ something for Easter; new life ’. Diana Berry: White Apple Blossom : a technically competent picture in sharp focus with the background nicely diffused . Sean Guiness: Water Tower, Sky on Fire : well composed and technically very well taken. Louise Baltesz: Bluetit at dawn : Caught the moment nicely and Louise Batlesz: Quince blossom : well framed, with good colours and nice use of the light. Nicole Escue: Easter in the wood : notoriously difficult to get the colour, but the bluebells are caught in just the right light. An impressive picture. William Hetherington: Cherry tree in blossom. blue skies, pink blossom, nice spring day – what more do you want? See all entries for this category here .

The winner was William Hetherington: Cherry tree in blosso m, runner up Nicole Escue: Easter in the wood and special mention for Louise Batlesz: Quince blossom

Finally, ‘ life in isolation; a view from lockdown ‘. Diana Berry: Polish a cannon : a clever picture and a subtle idea technically well executed. Louise Baltesz: Every road is : also very clever and creative idea, which tells the story (almost newspaper quality). Will Lobb: Remote Office at the Farm : evokes the notion of remote working – a nice idea. William Hetherington: Dog and toy : a really nice portrait with masses of detail. Colin Burrows: Lockdown Spring 2020 : a superb idea, which has been well executed. Bill Blacker: prove you’re a gunmaker : a very imaginative picture, showing a high degree of technical competence. Good composition and well lit. See all entries for this category here .

The winner was Bill Blacker: prove you’re a gunmaker ,the runner up Colin Burrows: Lockdown Spring 2020 and special mention for Will Lobb: Remote Office at the Farm.

The Master and Wardens pass on their congratulations to the winners and all those who submitted photographs to the competition. Images are posted on the website for all to see (I have omitted those with children).

We are most grateful to Liveryman Paul Fievez whose expert advice assisted the judges. He has also provided some excellent advice to the Gunmaker Photographer; read it here , and make the best use of that smartphone when you are next out and about, since plans for a photographic competition, to be judged next year, will be announced later in the summer.

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