By Lillian Webb
Irish Photographic Federation’s 28th National Audio Visual Championships
By Lilian Webb, A.I.P.F., Hon. Sec./Hon. Treasurer, IPF AV Group Committee.
The above were held in Āras Chrónáin Ionad Cultúrtha, Watery Lane, Clondalkin, Dublin on 16th and 17th October, 2010. We were delighted to have Linda Gibbs, D.P.A.G.B., AV-A.F.IA.P., and Edgar Gibbs, F.R.P.S., D.P.A.G.B., AV-A.F.I.A.P., as our judges from Cardiff, Wales. They had judged about fourteen years ago in Waterford in the analogue days and now all the sequences are produced with digital software.
All sequences were shown on the Saturday – 7 in the Novice Section, 4 in the Intermediate Section and 12 in the Advanced Section. Those who attend the East Leinster Audio Visual Group, who hosted the event on behalf of the Irish Photographic Federation’s Audio Visual Group Committee, who organised the event, made up most of the entries. There is therefore a need for audio visual workers to meet together to learn and participate, to give and receive advice in other parts of the country.
In the Novice Section, in fourth place and receiving a Highly Commended was Ronan Melia, from Clondalkin Camera Club, for “Images of Shanghai”. Rita Nolan, Celbridge Camera Club, was third with a Very Highly Commended for “The Kindness of Trees”, and in Second place and winner of a bronze medal was Brian McKeown, L.I.P.F., Clondalkin Camera Club, for “Flora in detail” and the winner of the silver medal was Pearl Walsh, L.I.P.F., Dublin Camera Club, for “Our road to Santiago De Compostela”.
Barney Champion, L.I.P.F., An Oige Photographic Group, received a Highly Commended in the Intermediate Section with “The Royal Hospital, Kilmainham”, Marie McGuinness, Celbridge Camera Club, won the bronze medal with “Lucy’s Adventure” and the winner of the section and receiver of a silver medal was Margaret Finlay, L.I.P.F., Celbridge Camera Club, with “My passion ..”.
A Highly Commended certificate was awarded to Brendan O’Sullivan, A.I.P.F., Celbridge Camera Club, for his sequence “A Grand Design” in the Advanced Section, Alan Lyons, A.I.P.F., Hon. A.P.S.I., Photographic Society of Ireland, won the bronze medal for “A Quiet Garden”, Kieran O’Loughlin, F.I.P.F., A.R.P.S., Shannon Camera Club, won the silver medal for “The Secret Visit” and in first place, and winner of the gold medal was Noel Mahony, Celbridge Camera Club, for “The Stolen Child”.
The best sound trophy went to Margaret Finlay for “My passion ..”, the best photography trophy went to Kieran O’Loughlin for “The Secret Visit”, the best first time entrant was Brian McKeown for “Flora in detail”. He won a tankard and the Royal Photographic Society Audio Visual Group donated a George and Doreen Pollock Medal, which he also received. This is the third year that the IPF AV Group have been honoured with the donation of one of these medals, which are limited to only five festivals worldwide each year.
The overall winner of an IPF Gold medal and cup was Noel Mahony, for his sequence “The Stolen Child” and Noel also won a bronze medal as winner of the audience vote. This sequence will now go on to do “battle” with the winner of the Northern Ireland Photographic Association’s audio visual championships in Ballyearl, in February, 2011.
Linda and Edgar showed some of their sequences in their “Digital Magic Lantern Show” which included “Devon Delight”, “Deep Beneath”, “The Black Chair” and “Talbot House”, which they won the award for the best soundtrack at the Australian AV Festival in 2007 and at the Royal Photographic Society’s International AV Festival in 2008.
Twenty six enjoyed a meal, followed by an Irish music session in Āras Chrónáin, on the Saturday night.
On the Sunday morning, Linda and Edgar gave a two hour workshop on sound, which included audience participation and the effect that soundtracks could make to set the scene when one single image was shown, from cocks crowing, to the dawn chorus, to cows mooing, dogs barking etc. They also showed how they added sound effects to some of the sequences we had seen the day before.
After lunch, Rita Nolan, Celbridge Camera Club, was successful in gaining her L.I.P.F., in Audio Visual.
The weekend concluded with the showing of the five winning sequences and the presentation of awards, by Mark Sedgwick, F.I.P.F., E.F.I.A.P., E.S.F.I.A.P., President of The Irish Photographic Federation.
Linda and Edgar really enjoyed their weekend and spent a few days later in Naas, and Enniskillen before heading for the ferry home.
Thanks to all the entrants and all those who attended the weekend from north, south, east and west. See you at the same venue – the middle weekend in October, 2011!
Some photographs of the event
