Each year the Northern Ireland Photographic Association hosts a 'Novice Competition' to allow all folk, new to photography, to compete in a competition that is only open to them. The competition is organised by NIPA for individual members of its member clubs. There are actually three competitions - one each for Monochrome Prints, Colour Prints and Projected Digital Images. The Novice Competitions are to encourage genuine novices to submit work at a competitive level and is open to all those photographers who comply with the NIPA Novice definition. Entries for the competition are selected by members of NIPA clubs from their own work.
This year's competition was held at The Fountain Centre in Bangor on Saturday 8th April 2017. The three judges were Louise Borbely (Central Photographic Association), Hugh Wilkinson (Catchlight Camera Club), and Brian Maguire (BPIC).
In what was a very strong field, BPIC members enjoyed some great success, winning a total of seven certificates. And here are the winning images.
2nd Place - Monochrome Print - Old Medical Records - by Lesley Porter
3rd Place - PDI - Frozen - by Lesley Porter
Highly Commended - PDI - Aurora - by Lesley Porter
Highly Commended - Colour Print - Calm Day at Portstewart - Lesley Porter
Highly Commended - Colour Print - Winter Flow - Jim Murray
Highly Commended - Colour Print - Evening Skye - Jim Murray
Highly Commended - PDI - Pine Island - Glen Banna