The launch of an exhibition celebrating the great photography in Westside BID’s 2023 calendar was held at The Flapper pub yesterday.
A lively mixture of family and friends joined the team of community photographers behind this year’s prizewinning shots.
Contributors were from all walks of life, from a medical professional to a data inputter and a gift business owner … plus many more.
Their means of shooting were as varied, too – from Samsung and Apple phones to Canon, Panasonic and even a Hasselblad camera.
All of the entries were proof of the adage that when the perfect moment strikes to capture a scene, the only thing that matters is that you have a phone or camera with you, so that the moment is not lost forever.
Damian Walmsley’s winning picture was a case in point – in the video below, he explains how the opportunity disappeared literally one second after he’d taken the shot of a man walking alongside the Gas Street basin towpath next to the Bistrot Pierre restaurant.
Organising the calendar launch through Eventbrite, Westside BID laid on food and drink for the 60 confirmed attendees. The taker of each month’s winning picture also won a £75 voucher to spend with Westside businesses – with the top prize worth £125.
BID general manager Mike Olley said he was delighted with the quality of the pictures and promised the competition would be ongoing.
“We are going to continue this competition because for us it’s such a fantastic thing,” Mr Olley said.
“It just keeps on giving. Every month we do a little tale about the picture that’s going to go in [the calendar].
“I am just so delighted that we have got this and we’ve got you, so keep on submitting and keep on clicking!”
We’re so proud of the photograhy in our 2023 calendar that we commissioned not one but TWO videos of the launch of yesterday’s exhibition. The second one here, taken by photographer Jas Sansi, includes a full background to our calendar project from Westside BID’s Luisa Huggins:
And here’s a selection of great pictures for all to enjoy …
ENDS
