Welcome to the tenth of the 2023 ICM challenge publications. After last year’s massive success, I have decided to organise once again, an annual ICM challenge for my creative group. I created this ICM challenge, to offer a friendly competition within the creative group I run for all previous course attendees and mentee students. It is to encourage interaction in the group and to offer a reason to share or make photos in reaction to a prompt. Each month in 2023, a new challenge subject will be set in the group. It may be interpreted however an individual wishes, but the ICM technique must be the overriding element in the image. I have chosen an outside judge for each challenge to offer a wide variety of feedback and varying outlooks on ICM photography. This is a cumulative competition: • Points 1-10 are awarded for the top 10 placings each challenge. (1st place gaining 10 and 10th place 1) • A point is awarded to every entrant to say thank you for submitting. In December there will be an online awards evening, with some small prizes, and to celebrate everyone’s achievements.
A location The ‘A location’ challenge is now complete. It was an interesting theme to provide, and I felt it offered a unique way for each individual entering to interpret the word as they wished, and you will see that is exactly the result, which I am so happy about. A location can be interpreted very literally as a physical space, it could be a space in your head or even a feeling of a place. I always remind participants and judges that it’s a chance to explore with your creativity, and see the emotions and feelings you can bring to your images. Especially this one. Having followed the work of Andrew Gray for so many years, I am delighted that when I asked him way back at the start of the year if he would like to help judge he said yes. Andy’s work reminds me so much of Turner’s paintings. His use of colour, movement, multiple exposures and post processing creates images that are unique. And together with being a super photographer, he is also an individual who is happy to share his knowledge and techniques, and I love his regular You Tube offerings. Thank you so much for judging this challenge Andy, I am so pleased you had the time and were happy to help out. Andy has returned his top ten, and top three with some comments and said “A note to all. I looked through these and enjoyed elements of them all, but went with those that struck a chord with me immediately, this may have been for any reason, whether it be use of colour, handling of the scene, my interest in the scene, capture techniques or something that touched me. Those of you who didn't make my top 10 always realise that many others would put yours top on a different day. Keep up the great work, keep on practicing!"
I would love you to go and explore Andy’s work and see how inspiring it is. As a thank you for judging this challenge. Go and be inspired! Website: https://andrewsgray.photography/ Merch: kingoficm.com
This last one is a full list of all Andrew’s other offerings – Instagram, Youtube etc. Links: linktr.ee/andrewsgray
If you are interested in online or in person courses, please check out my website for more info www.charlottebellamy.com I also have a You tube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CharlotteBellamycreativephotography/videos Please email with any questions or comments Charlotte@charlottebellamy.com Copyright remains with each of the photographers, please do not save in anyway the images from this document. Without further ado – I would like to introduce you to your winners. Congratulations to the top 10.
Winner – Valerie Huggins Judge’s comments This one really caught my eye immediately. Great control of light, without going overboard with movement (a fine balance to make) The colours pop, framing to the top of the image helps hold it in and the light being caught on (whatever it was inside the cathedral/church sets off the image even more. While I presume it is all one capture, the shapes made by this golden "thing" make it look like other movements were made. Well done. Love it!
Runner up - Maureen Stuart Judges comment Beautifully simple in its composition and execution. Good balance of exposure between sky and foreground, just as would be in nature to our eyes. Lovely colour treatment to the scene which helps give it a sense of place (even though I don't know where it is - it feels like Derwentwater in the Lakes)
3rd place
Jaana Kotoneva Judges comment This one I have to note not only because of the capture of the light catching on the landscape and the control of capture of the trees, but that the foreground interest of the small boat on the shoreline is perfectly captured and instantly recognisable. This could easily have been lost with too extreme movement. Again a good traditional composition with lots to see in the whole frame.
4th Place
Anne Kleff
5th Place
Tricia Martin
6th Place
Zoe Steel 7th Place
Marion Woodman
8th Place
Michelle Jackson 9th Place
Ania Rolinska Please note there are 9 placings instead of 10 as one person had submitted two images, both of which fell in top 10 and I did not realise till after the judging came back.
The other entries
Annabel Foot
Moy Calverley
Debbie Christie
Reiner Heisel
Malcolm Brown
Camilla Rutayisire Gore
Angie Robertson
Trish Hanna
Barbara Kato McKenzie
Lorraine Grey
Janne Ruud Ostby
Miriam Manners
Steve Knight
Dawn Westwood
Morina Reece
Christine Griffiths
Joy Tracey
Mary Seddon
Charlie’s picks This year I am going to pick a selection of images out of the challenge after the judging is complete – so these images will never be the same as the top 10. I just wanted to have the opportunity to recognise even more of the beautiful images. There is not a set number each month, so some months you may see more in this section than others, especially if I agree with the judge on all their choices! These images all achieve a bonus 2 points. This was one of those months that I agreed with a lot of the judges picks, and so I have chosen just three extra images this challenge.
Birgitta Larsson I chose this image of Birgitta’s for the sense of place and the feeling it gave me. Although it could be anywhere in the world, it actually took me back to my childhood (a completely different location to where this image is made). I love the blues and yellows and softness of how the sky and ground are merged almost like a dream vision. A location need not always be recognisable to others in your image.
Federica Morgan I find this image a beautiful and slightly ghostly interpretation of a location. It almost looks like time has stopped still. The movement is subtle and makes it look a bit like I am looking at it on a rainy day. The colour tones are lovely and I feel like I could step into this image and follow the path in front of me.
Lola Makowa Sometimes a location can be a generic type of place – a sort of place or location to go. For me, it’s the woodlands, but for Lola and so many others, ‘location’ clearly conjured up a place she loves to photograph. I love this image for its colour, energy and reflections and feeling of being just a bit close to that wave! The ICM has captured a beautiful moment and energy.