News Season 2025 - 2026
9th October
The first print competition of the season was judged by Cameron Scott from Carluke. The results are as follows
Beginners Section
1st "Red kite Hunting" by David Law
2nd "Relaxing on a Sunny Afternoon" by David Yardley
3rd "Birds Eye View, Bay of Kotor Montenegro" by David Yardley
Landscape and General Section
1st "Point to Point Racing" by Linda Greenhill
2nd= "Autumn Rays" by Linda Greenhill
2nd= "Falls of Measach" by Douglas McEwen
3rd= "Red Eye Tree Frog Silhoutte" by Linda Greenhill
3rd= "Stavanger" by Brian Saberton
Portrait Section
1st "The Unhappy Couple" by Linda Greenhill
2nd "Break Time in the Workshop" by Linda Greenhill
3rd " Golden Girl" by Linda Greenhill
18th September
The guest speaker at the latest meeting was astrophotographer photographer Stuart McIntyre from Bound by Starlight. Stuart is based in Motherwell and usually travels to the Scottish Highlands or Dumfries and Galloway to take images of the night sky. He was shortlisted in the 2016 Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year awards and has been published in the BBC’s Sky at Night magazine.
Stuart shared lots of information on camera settings, the ideal conditions for astrophotography, the equipment used and the importance of referring to a moon phase calendar. He showed the large group of members amazing images taken at various locations including Glencoe, Eigg, Skye and Urquhart Castle. There were dramatic shots of the Milky Way, Aurora Borealis and Orion Nebula, with recognisable Scottish landmarks in the foreground.
Following a question-and-answer session, Club President Rodger Shearer thanked Stuart for showing us his stunning images, obtained from a subject that is exceptionally difficult to photograph.
On Thursday 25th September the club will welcome David Spinks to judge the first digital image competition of the season. Thursday will also be the hand-in night for the first print competition. Members are reminded that the rules and guidelines for entering competitions can be found on the club’s website.
11th September
There was an excellent turnout for the second meeting of the new season. The guest speaker was wildlife photographer Paul McDougall, an award winning photographer, who through his company “Touch the Wild”, organises wildlife workshops and tours in the UK and oversees.
Paul’s topic for his presentation was “Capturing Moments”. He started by explaining the steps to take to capture a good wildlife image, including selecting the correct camera settings, being aware of the light and having a creative vision. Paul then displayed a series of incredible images showcasing wildlife in diverse environments including Scotland, Finland, Kenya, Canada and Nepal.
Following a question and answer session, Club President Rodger Shearer thanked Paul for sharing his stunning images with us. Rodger particularly admired Paul’s amazing use of light and shade.
Member Iain had a big birthday recently so as is the custom we shared birthday cake and all signed a card to wish him well.
At the next meeting on Thursday 18th September the club will welcome guest speaker Stuart McIntyre.
3rd July
The club recently received the results of the Scottish Photographic Federation Annual Portfolio. This is a club and individual competition open to monochrome prints, colour prints and digital images. The highest scoring entries (approximately 30% of the total entry) became the Annual Portfolio of accepted prints and projected images for the year.
Motherwell Photographic Society entered all three sections. Our final placings were 22nd in the colour print section, 22nd equal in the monochrome print section and 10th equal in the digital image section. 28 clubs entered the competition.
Four of the club entries were accepted into the Annual Portfolio. Mummy’s Fur Coat by Rodger Shearer was accepted into the digital section with a score of 14 out of 15. Rodger’s colour print The Leap was given 13 out of 15 and Rodger’s monochrome print Stormy Waters also scored 13 out of 15. The Jersey Pullers by Dominic Smith was accepted into the digital section with a score of 12 out of 15. We look forward to viewing the Portfolio during the 2025-2026 season.
3rd July
A good number of members made the journey to Newarthill today for the funeral of Thomas McGinn. (We knew him as Tom) It was a sad occasion but a lovely service and some of us spoke to the family at the graveside on behalf of the club.
8th June
We have had the very sad news this week that one of our members has died. Thomas McGinn has passed away last week. He was a member of the camera club and of the committee for a very long time and until quite recently was an active member, putting in a variety of genre of images into our competitions from birds in Strathclyde Park to surfers in San Sebastian.
He will be sadly missed.
