The Regional qualifying rounds of the 2010 National Nature Competition will be taking place over the next few weeks.  Check with your regional secretary for details of dates and venues.  Details of some regional rounds are given below.

Remember it is only possible to qualify for the National Nature Final via Regional rounds.  The Final will take place in Dublin Zoo on Sunday 7th March 2010.

Please consult the Nature Competition Rules and the FIAP Nature Definition before entering the competition.  Entry is via Colour Print and/or Projected Image.

Click here for an Entry Form.

Regional Rounds

Southern Association of Camera Clubs:  Sunday 24 January 2010, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.  See www.saccinfo.com for details.

North Eastern Region:    Monday 8th February at 8:30pm in Mid-Louth Camera Club, Dunleer, Co. Louth.  The venue is Scoraiocht Lann Léire Centre which is located here on the Barn Road in Dunleer, a small white building on the right hand side with a large car park just after the Seat Car garage.  Contact Richard Hatch, LIPF at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more details.

As part of the weekend of the National Print and Projected Image Competition two workshops will be given by Mr Nicolas Berlingieri MFIAP, who is also one of the judges for the event.

Nicolas is a computer programmer, software analyst, and university lecturer on Photoshop.  His articles on various styles of photography have been published in numerous countries.  His images on Surrealism were exhibited jointly with the paintings of Salvador Dali in Argentina.

Participants in the workshops will receive a Power Point CD which will contain the content of the workshops.  Each CD will also include illustrated articles by Nicolas on the Creative Use of Reflections, Surrealism and Mixing Photographic Images with Computer Generated Graphics, which should certainly be a great source of inspiration for all keen photographers.

Early indications are that the workshops will be very well attended, and as places are limited, it is advisable that you book you seat as soon as possible.

Tickets are available from Denis Whelehan - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Programme Saturday 13th February 2010

10:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Enhancing your images in Photoshop. The various tools up to and including adjustment layers.

2:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. The Application of HDR and Filter Plug-ins.

Each participant will receive a Power Point CD on the workshop.

Fees: Morning session only €25.00   Afternoon session only €25.00

If you wish to attend both sessions, the reduced fee will be €40.00.

A discount of €5 will be given to current IPF distinction holders off the €40.00 fee.

Both workshops will be held in the Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

You can check out more of Nicolas' work at   www.berlingieri-photo.com.

Print & Projected Image Competition Programme

The Finals for the National Print and Projected Image Competition 2009/2010 will take place in the Athlone Institute of Technology on the 13th and 14th February 2010.  

The weekend event will include two lectures on the Saturday by Mr. Nicolas Berlingieri, from Argentina, an expert in digital imaging. 

The competition itself will take place on the Sunday, judged by three internationally renowned judges from Argentina, France, and the UK.

Judges:

Mr. Nicolas Berlingieri, MFIAP.  www.berlingieri-photo.com.
Mr. Jacky Martin, Chief Editor Phot'Art International Magazine, Member of FIAP Directory Board http://jm.web-photo.net/home.php
Mr. Leo Palmer FPSA, EFIAP, PPSA, APAGB, ASIIPC http://www.leopalmerphotography.co.uk

Further details from Denis Whelehan, Event Coordinator. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   

Click Here to Download Full Programme for Print & Projected Image Competition Weekend. 

EPSON Ireland

Irish Photographic Federation - Regional Lecture Tour, February 2010.

Lectures by Mr. Leo Palmer FPSA, EFIAP, PPSA, APAGB, ASIIPC http://www.leopalmerphotography.co.uk

Dates & Venues

Monday, 15th February 2010,
Southern Association of Camera Clubs: Mallow GAA Sports Complex, St. Joseph’s Road, Carrigoon, Mallow, Co. Cork.

Tuesday, 16th February 2010,

 Kevin Murphy, FIPF, Mayo Photographic Club, has just launched a new website featuring his wildlife photographs.

Kevin took up photography as a hobby six years ago when he joined the Castlebar Camera Club, now known as the Mayo Photographic Club.  He was awarded an IPF Licentiateship in 2004 followed by an Associateship in 2006.  In November 2009 Kevin received his Fellowship.

You can see Kevin’s stunning images at www.irishwildlifephotography.com.

Click 'Read more' below to see more of Kevin's photographs.

The 2009 National Shield Competition was held in the Ballyfermot Civic Centre on Sunday 15 November.  The event was hosted this year by SatSun Photographic Club, Ballyfermot, and attracted an entry of 21 clubs.

The judges this year were Damien DeMolder, editor of Amateur Photographer, John Law, FRPS, MFIAP, Cambridge Camera Club, UK, and Tom Fairley, Banbridge Camera Club, NI.

2009 National Shield Results [Click here to download results]

Overall Winners
1st           Offshoot Photographic Society
2nd          Celbridge Camera Club
3rd          Dublin Camera Club

Monochrome Panels
1st           Celbridge Camera Club
2nd          Drogheda Photographic Club & Midlands Photography Club           (Joint Second)
3rd          Malahide Camera Club

Colour Panels
1st           Offshoot Photographic Society
2nd          Dublin Camera Club
3rd          Clondalkin Camera Club

Individual Awards
Monochrome Prints
1st           “Power Lift” by Martin Moran of Clondalkin Camera Club
2nd          “Always beyond the Fence” by Anil Kumar of Mountmellick Photographic Society
3rd          “Untitled” by Don Horne of Midlands Photography Club

Colour Prints
1st           “Local Woman, India” by Martin Sweeney of Drogheda Photographic Club
2nd          “Peppers” by Maria Kinsella of Kilkenny Photographic Society
3rd          “Lay Off” by Martin Moran of Clondalkin Camera Club 

Paul Stanley, event coordinator, extended thanks on behalf of the Irish Photographic Federation to SatSun Photographic Club and all the participating clubs who helped make this year’s event a success.