The Ilkley & District U3A’s first online Photographic Exhibition has been a great success.
The Exhibition showcased the talents and interests of members of its three photography groups and has promoted Ilkley & District U3A far and wide. As a result the exhibition featured in the National Third Age Trust Newsletter as well as in articles in the local press.
Over 700 individuals visited the exhibition during May, many returning on several occasions for a second or third look at some stunning images.
This was not a competition but the organisers wanted to replicate the experience of visiting the Manor House (the normal venue for the exhibition) as closely as possible. So visitors were asked to vote for their favourite. It proved a close run thing but there is a favourite by a narrow margin:
Andrew Bennet, with 17% of the votes, takes first place with "A Tight Squeeze" - his brilliantly timed owl shot. He described how he captured his image:
“During a miserable spell of winter weather, a two day window of brighter conditions arrived. As the barn owl cannot hunt in bad weather I knew it would leave its roost and take advantage of its window of opportunity. On the second day, patience finally paid off.“
Martin Sandland's wonderful evocative railway photo "Steam up at t"Mill" came a very close second with 16% of the votes. Martin took the photo from the Ingrow Station platform on a visit to the Keightley and Worth Valley railway. He says:
“I watched this 2-6-2 tank engine dramatically emitting clouds of smoke and steam as it climbed up a moderate incline. I managed to capture the image just before the driver eased back on the regulator, slowing down the train’s approach to the station platform.“
Third is Stephen Broscombe's classic Lake District image "Buttermere, Cumbria" with 6% of the votes.
A spokesperson for U3A said: "Congratulation to all the members who contributed their stunning images, to the U3A’s web and communications team who made the online exhibition possible and many, many thanks to everyone who voted and visited."
Further information about the Photographic Exhibition and the many other activities of Ilkley & District U3A such as its upcoming Summer Programme is available on its website at www.ilkleyu3a.org