I wrote in this post about my unexpected success in this year’s Northern Counties Photographic Federation (NCPF) annuals competition. All of the images which were awarded then go on to represent the North of England in the yearly Photographic Alliance of Great Britain Inter-Federation competition, which consists of all the other regional camera club Federations around the UK.

Although the NCPF didn’t win, I was personally delighted to be given a Judge’s award for my monochrome image ‘Evacuee’ which feels like a huge achievement considering the high standard of the photographs which are entered in the Inter-Federation competition 😊. It’s also given me a little bit more confidence to submit black and white images, something I’ve previously felt I was rubbish at!

To save any doubt, this picture wasn’t shot in black and white and has previously won awards as a colour image. All of my photographs are taken in colour and then converted to monochrome in Photoshop or other editing software, which gives me much more control over the final picture. In the digital age, being able to edit your photographs well is almost as important as the capture.

I’ve celebrated today by being taken out for lunch by a lovely friend, who has always been hugely supportive and encouraging of my photographic journey. I’m now stuffed and ready for a nap! 😴