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Last night saw Dunchurch Photographic Society host the second round of our Merit Competition, and true to tradition, this was the tricky one. The theme was ICM – Intentional Camera Movement, a subject that challenges both technical control and creative vision, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
As always, one of the three Merit rounds is designed to push members outside their comfort zones, and ICM did exactly that. The images on display showed just how wide the brief could be interpreted. We were treated to everything from abstract studies of light and colour, to ethereal, painterly landscapes, through to bold, full-on action shots where movement became the main storytelling device. It was fascinating to see how different photographers embraced blur, motion and experimentation to create such a varied body of work.
We were delighted to welcome Kenneth Page as our judge for the evening, visiting the club for the first time. With entries across all four categories, Kenneth certainly had his work cut out. Judging ICM is no easy task – balancing creativity, intent, technique and impact – but his thoughtful critiques and clear explanations made for an engaging and informative evening.
Members appreciated both his encouragement and his constructive feedback, particularly on how intent and control can elevate an ICM image from accidental to purposeful.
Overall, the evening was a great reminder of why we include challenging subjects in our competitions. ICM pushed boundaries, sparked discussion, and encouraged photographers to experiment – exactly what the Merit competition is all about.
Well done to everyone who entered, and congratulations to those who were placed. We now look forward to the final round, where no doubt another set of impressive and imaginative images awaits.