What does Blackpool mean to you?
This was the question asked of adult learners taking part in course run by Blackpool Council’s Adult and Community learning service.
Each learner who signed up to the Digital Photography Course from September 05 to April 06 was given the option to be entered into a digital photography competition – with some high-quality results.
The images produced were wide-ranging and engaging; from photo montages of Blackpool’s famous attractions to beautiful images of sand, sea and sky. The striking artwork of the new south promenade features prominently in many of the images, as does the instantly recognisable shape of the Big One and the haunting beauty of nature in all her moods.
Caroline Sills was born in Blackpool and her entry depicts what Blackpool means to her. She said: “I didn’t know anything about digital photography when I started the course and my husband is a photographer so I thought it would be good to learn. I have enjoyed meeting new people as well as broadening my mind by learning.
“The photo I have entered into the competition shows my favourite time in Blackpool – when you can have it all to yourself and be peaceful.”
The photographs were shown in a special exhibition at Central Library on Monday 22 May and a digital camera was presented to the winner of the competition and a runner-up was awarded a memory stick.
Lord Mayor and Runner Up
Cllr David Owen, Cabinet Member for Culture
and Leisure, said:” Many of those who have taken
part in this course, as with others, see their
confidence grow immensely through the acquisition
of a new skill. There are some truly high-quality
images in the contest and this is a testament to
the quality of the course and the skills of those
who have taken part. I would recommend
anyone who is interested in this or other
adult learning opportunities to contact the
service on 01253 478032 to find out more about
the courses available.”
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The Winner.
Alan Gower.
This is a composite photograph made up of a number of photographs ‘stitched’ together. In addition the sand has been re-coloured to reflect a golden hue. |
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Iggy Garaba
“The Lights”
The photographer wanted to capture the bustle of Blackpool and is demonstrating this with poles and traffic. They have applied a bronze filter to the whole image to give a warm glow.
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Paul Foster
The photographer wanted to capture the particularly angry sky with the reflection against the sea. |
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Roy Mason
“Monoliths”
The photographer wanted to portray the similarity between the new structures on South Beach and prehistoric Monolithic structures. |
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Runner Up
Carolynn Sills
This image captures a solitary figure on the beach at South Shore in the morning glow. |
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Hazel Knight
The photographer has applied an oval vignette and given a ‘mirror ball’ effect to the centre of this photograph to giver a different perspective of the new South Beach. |
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Syd Beckett
“Bungee Swing”
This photograph was taken on a typical dull rainy day in November and captures Blackpool when it is ‘closed’. Most of the colour has been removed to give an almost monochrome effect. |
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Jim Rossall
“Giant Snowballs”
The photographer wanted to capture an image from the new South Prom encompassing much of the new artwork |
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John Crowther
“South Prom”
The photographer experimented with special effects to create this unusual photograph of the ‘The Big One’ and the ‘Wave Organ’. |
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Keith Radcliffe
This photograph captures the spiritual side of Blackpool by recording the re-consecration of Blackpool Parish Church, St John’s. |
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Peter Taylor
This image shows the new Gateway to Blackpool, with the Tower alongside the new climbing walls, at George Bancroft Park. |
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Maura Elliott
“The Grand”
This photograph was taken in the rain, the photographer has edited this image to create an almost ‘ghostly’ abstract print. |
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Highly Commended
Sue Cannon
“Day Out”
The photographer has filled this photograph with effects to capture most of the artwork from the new South Prom and major landmarks to create this almost surreal image. |
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Peter Garner
“On the Right Track”
This photograph cleverly draws the eye down the tracks towards the Tower. |
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Peter Hallam
A quintessentially classic view of Stanley Park Lake. The photographer has concentrated on their photographic prowess at the initial stage rather than editing at a later date. |
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Phyllis Crombleholme
“The Sands”
The photograph portrays the vastness of the Sands and in the distance there a shadow of Barrow in Furness. |
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Sandra Green
This photography was taken very early in the morning to capture the silhouette of the Big One against the sunrise |
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Patricia Peterson
This photograph is taken from South Pier to give a different view of South Prom, the colour has been removed and the sun’s rays enhanced to create this linear design with movement from the waves. |