Photography Group
u3a Eye Competition
During the Covid-19 lockdown the Third Age Trust are running a fortnightly project to encourage people to take and submit pictures of their surroundings during this unprecedented time. They are going to post a different theme each fortnight and invite u3a members to submit their photos on that topic.
This is not a competition and it is not about your photographic skill — what we want from you are interesting photos, possibly different ways of viewing things, anything which has captured your imagination or caught your eye. The photograph must have been taken during the lockdown.
At the end of every fortnight we will choose and publish up to 15 photos on an online gallery for each theme so that all members can enjoy the images. All you need to do to upload your photo is to click here, complete the form and upload your image.
Click here for details of the current topic and selected photographs for past topics.
Since its inception, there have been 47 themes and 13 of our members between them have had 59 images chosen — a great achievement for this group.
Below are displayed the images that have been submitted by Balsall Common U3A photography group members and been selected by the panel:
Subject "Celebrations"
'Celebrating the Pumpkin!' by Angela Reid, Balsall Common u3a
A new season to celebrate, and always find the sight of a bright orange pumpkin amongst the foliage a delightful sign of a plentiful harvest to come. Of course pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes!.
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Subject "Liquid"
'Overflowing Glass' by Peter Calver, Balsall Common u3a
Always interested in capturing images of liquids
whether overflowing a glass or over waterfalls.
'What A Drip' by John Hayes, Balsall Common u3a
I wanted to capture dripping water. However I wanted something different
so I applied 2 colour filters to the flashes.
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Subject "Red White and Blue"
'Corfe' by Tina Sheppard, Balsall Common u3a
This was taken at a pub in the village of Corfe, Dorset.
I thought the scene was so English portraying a typical village pub during the Jubilee Weekend.
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Subject "Framed"
'Framed Tower' by Derek Robbins of Balsall Common u3a
View of Blackpool Tower taken from underneath the pier and framed by the supports.
'Anne Hathaways Cottage' By Jim Melville of Balsall Common u3a
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage through the Willow Circle. This is a twelve-roomed farmhouse where Anne Hathaway, the wife of William Shakespeare, lived as a child. It is located in Shottery about a mile west of Stratford-upon-Avon.
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Subject "Urban / Jungle"
'Mural Of St Mungo' by Jim Melville of Balsall Common u3a
This mural by the graffiti artist Sam Bates (aka Smug) is located in Castle Street, Glasgow. It depicts St Mungo, the patron saint of the city who was alive in the 6th Century, so the clothing depicts a more modern interpretation. The robin is based on the story where, after seeing children throwing stones at robins, Mungo picked up a wounded robin which revived and flew away — a miracle.
'Giraffe in the City' by Karen Coates of Balsall Common u3a
It’s not very often you come across a giant land mammal in the centre of town!
Huge Lego creation in Birmingham.
'Jungle in Digbeth' by Angela Reid of Balsall Common u3a
Digbeth is an urban area just south of Birmingham City Centre. Famous for its street art, so always a fascinating place to explore. I spotted this wonderful jungle-designed artwork above a corrugated roof, on corrugated metal. Such vibrant colours, in contrast to much of the area.
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Subject "Spots / Stripes"
'The Odd One Out' by Jim Melville of Balsall Common u3a
While on Beer Beach in Devon last September
these rows of empty deckchairs caught my eye
— but why was there only one blue deckchair?
Subject "Words / Text"
'Sheep Escapee' by Karen Coates of Balsall Common u3a
Quickly captured this daredevil sheep attempting to scale the wall of its field. Very apt name on the road sign! Image taken through my car window — it pays to have a camera to hand!!
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Subject "Of the Season"
'End Of The Growing Season' by Angela Reid of Balsall Common u3a
The end of the growing season brings with it the opportunity to bring together beautifully textured dried flowers for a wonderful display. And tidy up the plant pots in readiness for a new growing season!
'When Snow Falls, Nature Listens' by Jim Melville of Balsall Common u3a
"When Snow Falls, Nature Listens" This quotation from Antoinette Van Kleeff came to mind as I saw this snow-covered gate while walking the lanes of Warwickshire in February.
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Subject "Wo(Man) Made"
'Full of Wise Saws' by Jim Melville of Balsall Common u3a
“Full of Wise Saws” from 'As You Like It' — Some of the collection of over one thousand man made saws on display at Kelham Island Museum in Sheffield. The museum celebrates the industrial heritage and craftsmanship of this city.
'Man, Made By Man' by Karen Coates of Solihull Central u3a
(Balsall Common u3a Photography Group)
Anthony Gormley figure in the waves looking out across the Mersey to the man made wind turbines. Renewable energy for mankind. Image taken by a woman. All bases covered!
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Subject "Folds, Creases & Grooves"
Four members of Balsall Common Photography group were successful in having their images selected for this subject, out of the total of 15 selected from all u3a's in the country.
'A Comfortable Walk' by Angela Reid of Balsall Common u3a
Walking near to Carsington Water in Derbyshire I spotted a beautifully carved chair with grooves cut through the wood to create the impression of creases on the back of the chair, and folds of material on the main structure of the chair. What a discovery!
'Folded Sheets' by Derek Robbins of Balsall Common u3a
Playing around with sheets of card this configuration of folded sheets appealed to me.
'Dahlia Folds' by Janet Jordan of Solihull u3a
(Balsall Common u3a Photography Group)
On a recent visit to some gardens I noticed this lovely Dahlia,
which I thought fitted this current theme perfectly.
'Caught in the Folds of a Leaf' by Karen Coates of Solihull Central u3a
(Balsall Common u3a Photography Group)
A tiny droplet of water, captured at Coughton Court National Trust Gardens.
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Subject "Black and White"
'All That Jazz!' by Angela Reid of Balsall Common u3a
Black and White theme reminded me of my wonderful jazz box sets The White Box and The Black Box. Enjoy listening to the Jazz Album in the evening too!
Subject "Buildings / Architecture"
'London' by Derek Robbins of Balsall Common u3a
This view appealed to me as you have the juxtaposition between the old and the new. The tall building is 20 Fenchurch Street also known as the Walkie Talkie building which hosts the Sky Garden restaurant and bars on its top floors.
'Under The Arches’ by Karen Coates of Solihull Central u3a
(Balsall Common u3a Photography Group)
Reivaulx Abbey. Historic ruined abbey in North Yorkshire with impressive towering architecture — looking through the arches to tiny more modern quaint cottages in the village.
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Subject "Different Sizes"
'Matryoshka Doll' by Jim Melville of Balsall Common u3a
This Russian Matryoshka doll (with ten nesting dolls) was bought in Moscow over 50 years ago when the Iron Curtain still existed. In Russia, the doll is thought to symbolize traditional values of Russian society: respect for the elderly, unity of the extended family, fertility and abundance, and the search for truth and meaning.
Subject "In this weather"
'The frozen hedge' by Karen Coates of Solihull Central u3a
(Balsall Common u3a Photography Group)
I spotted these amazing icicles left on the hedge after cars had splashed in the puddles at the edge of the road. Like a scene from ‘Frozen’ I couldn’t ‘let it go’ without a snapshot!
'Shadows' by Angela Reid of Balsall Common u3a
In this weather enjoying seeing the shadows my patio chairs make, on a sunny afternoon.
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Subject "Lights"
'Lampshades' by Karen Coates of Solihull Central u3a
(Balsall Common u3a Photography Group)
Lamps in the market. I like photos of collections and spotted these lampshades on a market stall.
Subject: ''Boxes, squares and/or rectangles''
'Balconies' by Karen Coates of Solihull Central u3a
(Balsall Common u3a Photography Group)
Squares and rectangles of an architectural natureon a building in Birmingham — caught my eye on a recent walk.
'Pen Pots' by Kaushalya Rihal of Balsall Common u3a
My boxes come in very handy for all my odds and ends
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Subject: 'Viewing the everyday in a new way'
'Through the Window' by Angela Reid
Since lockdown, my only way, and therefore my new way of seeing the beautiful camellias in the camellia house in Wollaton Park is through a window. I liked the resulting image of the vibrant colour of the flower framed by the frost and old window frame.Subject: Lines
'The Rainbow Line' by Graham Quinton-Tulloch
There are railway lines at the end of the rainbow
'Rainbow Washing Line' by John Bolt of Balsall Common u3a
Prompted by having a new washing line, I had fun with the colours.
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Subject: Glimpsed
'A Barred Gate' by Jim Melville of Balsall Common u3a
While out for my constitutional walk along a country lane I caught sight of this metal gate almost hidden by overgrown shrubbery.
'Treasure' by John Bolt of Balsall Common u3a
Thinking of finding hidden treasure
Subject: Wood (not trees)
'Leaning Post' by Karen Coates, member of Solihull Central U3A
(Balsall Common u3a Photography Group)
Weather-beaten wooden posts on the beach at Sandsend, North Yorkshire.Taken from a low view point practising leading lines with my Sony dschx400v bridge camera. I kept the image monochrome to bring out the detail in the wood.
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Subject: Numbers and Letters
'Wurlitzer' by Karen Coates member of Solihull Central U3A
( Balsall Common u3a Photography Group)
I took this using my Sony bridge camera at Scarborough Fair — a beautiful little museum dedicated to funfair rides, pipe organs, retro vehicles and much more. I liked the enormous range of buttons and keys in sweeping curves.
'One to Ten' by Jim Melville of Balsall Common u3a
During a game of Scrabble, I got the inspiration to combine these numbers
into interconnecting words.
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Subject: New and Old
'Old drill, new drill' by Jim Melville of Balsall Common u3a
Two drills: How hand tools have changed
'New flora, old flora' by Angela Reid of Balsall Common u3a
A new year and new life in my garden as beautiful snowdrops grow through the old fallen leaves and conifer cuttings of the old year.
Subject: My Favourite Things
'Cupcakes' by Angela Reid of Balsall Common u3a
I’ve certainly baked more this year than ever before, and chocolate cupcakes are my favourite bake, with butter cream icing of course!
'Cheesecake' by Karen Coates of Solihull Central u3a
( Member of Balsall Common u3a Photography Group)
Cheesecake and fruit berries...with a hint of cream. One of my favourite puddings.
I have yet to meet a calorie I don’t like.
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Subject: Not quite what it seems
'Hawthorn Tree' by Angela Reid of Balsall Common U3A
No, this isn’t a bare tree battered and bent my autumn and winter winds, this is a magnificent Hawthorn Tree sculpture in bronze taken this year a few days before second lockdown in New Place, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Subject: Autumn
'All Alone' by Jim Melville
As a very different Halloween approaches, this display of pumpkins gave me the idea, using Photoshop, of creating a sad lonely pumpkin.
Subject: Shadows
My Shadow by John Bolt
One late afternoon a few days ago I saw the last rays of sun streaming through the trees and across the road. I quickly took this photo of my shadow.
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Subject: Animals
'The Inquisitive Fox' by John Bolt of Balsall Common U3A
One morning recently this little fox was looking through the glass in our back door. I managed to take a few photos before moments later our cat leapt through the cat flap and chased it away.
Subject: Angles
Marquetry Floor by Pam Martin
I am always pleased with the clean lines of symmetry,
it brings order and calm to this sometimes chaotic world
Subject: Summer
'Enjoying the Summer Sun' by Jim Melville of Balsall Common U3A
These meerkats had nothing better to do than lazing in the summer sunshine
at Castle Ashby Gardens near Northampton.
This image was chosen to promote the Summer U3A Eye gallery and was
posted on Facebook and Twitter using the following links:
https://twitter.com/U3A_UK and
https://www.facebook.com/u3auk/posts/1383617628497989
Subject: Blue
'Etching' by Karen Coates of Solihull Central U3A
(Balsall Common U3A Photography Group)
Etching on a window found at Coventry Cathedral with blue sky behind.
'Blue Period' by Graham Quinton-Tulloch of Balsall Common U3A
The theme put me in mind of Picasso's "Blue Period".
This is my homage to a great Artist and Confectionary.
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Subject: Circles
'Watch' by Len Tomnie of Balsall Common U3A
Removing the back from an old watch reveals the circles in the movement.
Subject: T
'Teasels' by Pamela Martin member of Balsall Common U3A Photography Group
I love the spikiness of these specimens. They are beautiful in their simplicity.
Subject: Inside
Inside the Bonnet by Jim Melville
During this lockdown a family near me have prepared a tableau every day using their childrens' stuffed toys. This one is a garage scene with the large teddy inside the bonnet, another teddy underneath the car and a blue monkey having removed the front tyre.
Subject: 3
'Cakes' by Angela Reid of Balsall Common U3A
Have renewed my enjoyment of baking and find it relaxing too.
Found an attractive family heirloom plate for my cakes, which I love.
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Subject: Yellow
'Lemons' by John Bolt of Balsall Common U3A
When searching for a subject I decided to avoid daffodils and any other yellow flowers.
I noticed we had some lemons and arranged them on a plate.
Subject: This is Me
This is John Bolt of Balsall Common U3A
A while ago, for a special birthday someone made this caricature of me.
Oh to be playing cricket again!
This is Angela Reid of Balsall Common U3A
Born in Wallsend on Tyne and loving the river and it’s industrial history I’ve selected items and significant books that are close to my heart. Enjoy painting, and photography to relax after recovering from cancer.
Click here to see the selected images taken by members of other u3as
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