BARRY Camera Club's March programme started with a visit from Martin Fry FRPS, EFIAO, EFIAP-AV, BPE4*, APAGB who showed a series of audio-visual presentations under the collective title Cotswold and Cornish Cream.

Martyn is a highly qualified and much published photographer whose work is widely known and they were fortunate to be able to book him for the evening. Starting with a collection of landscapes of the Gloucester area, Martyn carried on through a series of images of the Severn Bore that he has taken over the years and throughout the presentation provided a detailed commentary.

Following that members saw a series of images of the Cornish coast and countryside including a detailed section on the now-defunct tin mining industry. Further slide shows saw reports on the annual steam fair honouring Richard Trevithick, the development of the community centre at Horsley Village and the home and work of Barbara Hepworth.

The final presentation, returning to Gloucestershire, was a short history of the village and valley of Slad, concentrating on the life and works of Laurie Lee. Of particular note was the music used for these presentations which in some can often be the poor relation to the images, however Martyn had made very careful selections, including some original work which complimented the photography perfectly.

In all, this was one of the best AV presentations the club have ever had and look forward to Martyn returning next year.

The following week they had an in-club Silent Auction night where members made secret, written bids for items put up for sale by other members. This was a novel and most interesting evening where some members got a bargain or two, some members took the opportunity to clear out some unwanted equipment and the club made a little money in commission.

On the evening of March 18 they were visited by Peter Young CPAGB, AFIAP, APAGB, a well-regarded photographer who gave a presentation entitled Tales From The Dark Side.

This consisted of an exhibition of prints mostly in black and white (hence the title of the presentation) and some colour photographs used to illustrate the difference that a monochromatic treatment gives to an image.

Most of the black and white shots, including his most recent work, were traditional wet darkroom prints with only a few being digital shots. This struck a chord with many of the members who have spent so many evenings in the darkroom over the years, but seemed to puzzle some of the younger contingent.

The subject matter was interesting, at times unconventional, but always top quality and the night was well received by all members.

Once again the month concluded with the monthly competition night. This month the judge was Harry Gardiner AWPF who gave a detailed and very thorough critique to every shot.

He was most impressed by the overall standard of the work presented to him and was unable to separate the marks into a wide spread due to this, so many of the images got a very high mark and very unusually there were multiple placings.

He awarded marks and prizes as follows:

Monochrome Print: This was a closely fought contest with Rob Carr coming out on top with 20 points for his study of Steetley Pier. In joint second place with 19 points each were Andrew Hallum with European Summit, Glenn Porter with Consolation and Roy Carr again, for For Sale. Third place was also shared with 18 points each being awarded to Barbara Archdale-Smith for her Umbrella And Dog and Rob Owens for Cranberry Rock.

Colour Print: First prize and 20 points went to Roy Carr for The Odd One Out with second place and 19 points going to Sarah Savage for her picture entitled King Of The Road. Third place was very closely judged with 18 points going to four entries. Roy Carr scored again with a print entitled The Wreck Of The Admiral Von Trump, shared with Brian Trego for Bamborough Bay, Glenn Porter for Cribyn From Neuadd Reservoir and Andrew Hallum with Busy Bee.

The Projected Image section was, as usual, the most keenly contested section and Harry found it very difficult to differentiate between the higher marked pieces.

Ultimately three pieces shared first place with 20 points each, six images shared second place with 19 points each and a further three images sharing third place each scoring 17 points.

The first place winners were Roy Carr with Whitby Morn, Phillipa Evans with Storm Imogen and Brian Trego with Smoky Start Over Hawes. Second place was shared by Tina Haydon with Long-Tailed Tit, Glenn Porter with View Towards The Black Mountains, Ken Mayled with Backlit Cosmos, Phillipa Evans with Damselfly On My Finger, Mike Lewis with Rainy Day and Steve Everett with Roll Up.

Congratulations to all prize winners but in particular to Roy for an outstanding multiple success.

Throughout 2016 they have a full programme of talks, demonstrations, photographic expeditions, competitions and inter-club battles planned. New members are particularly encouraged and will be made most welcome with a programme being prepared especially for the new and less experienced photographers to allow them to quickly gain more proficiency and satisfaction from their hobby.

Barry Camera Club meets every Friday evening from 7pm to 9.30pm at St Francis Millennium Centre, Porth-y-Castell, Barry Garden Suburb, Barry. They are a very friendly organisation and new members of all experience and skill levels are always welcome to attend with no obligation to join.

Alternatively, for more information visit barrycameraclub.co.uk