Blackwater Photographic Society members in award-winning start to 2019
IT has already been a busy start to the year for the Blackwater Photographic Society, with a number of members kicking off 2019 with some notable achievements.
One member who had a January to remember was Kieran O’Mahony, who scooped gold at the Inter-Regional Wildlife competition for his stunning photograph ‘Kestrel in Flight’, which was taken last year in Portugal.
The image – taken using a technique called panning, which caught the bird in sharp focus against a blurred background – beat stiff opposition from more than 400 entries to win the top prize.
Kieran also won a PSA silver medal in the nature section at the recent Cork International Salon of Photography for his image ‘Fox With a Rabbit’, while John Flynn received an FIAP ribbon in the landscape section of the same competition for his evocative image, Buachaille Etive Mòr, taken in the Scottish highlands. It was no mean achievement, given the fact that the competition attracted more than 4,500 entries from across the globe.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Kieran also put in an outstanding performance in the regional round of the Southern Association of Camera Club competition (SACC), achieving three honourable mentions in the colour print and projected categories.
He was not the only member to shine in the competition, with Paul Madigan winning gold and silver medals and an honourable mention in the mono section.
The trio of Kieran, Paul and Pakie O’Donoghue also enjoyed success at the Nature Photographer of the Year competition held at the Cabragh Wetlands in County Tipperary.
Kieran came home with two silver medals and an honourable mention; Paul added another gold medal and an honourable mention to his impressive collection; and Pakie received an honourable mention.
For now, they are unable to show their winning images as they have gone forward to the national finals, which will take place in Carlow in April.
Meanwhile, club member Valerie Walsh also enjoyed a great start to 2019, earning her licentiateship from the Irish Photographic Federation with an impressive panel of images.