LOCKDOWN Yorkshire was the theme of Aireborough Camera Club’s latest open competition.

Poignant images of empty spaces and people sitting apart from each other are among the many photographs submitted in the competition. While taped off benches outside a restaurant and a "wear a mask" sign capture some of the changes we adapted to during the pandemic.

The winners were revealed at a meeting of the club.

Vice president Chris Owens said: "Aireborough Camera Club’s new season started last Wednesday (8th Sept) but not in the way we wanted. No ‘face-to-face’ still by Zoom.

"Traditionally the meeting of the new season is our Open Evening, at which we present the awards for our Open Competition, lay out plans and syllabus for the upcoming season and try to attract new members.

"The Open Evening, however, was well attended with members, invited guests and a couple of interested individuals

"The evening started with our acting President, Liakat Parapia, welcoming everyone and giving an overall picture of the present situation with Guiseley Theatre having undergone extensive refurbishment and subject to stringent health and safety arrangements.

"We will be continuing with Zoom meetings for the foreseeable future. We do have plans to arrange a number of outside practical sessions where the members will be able to meet physically.

"This year’s Open Competition, ‘Lockdown Yorkshire’, proved popular attracting a large number of entries. We were very pleased that both the sponsor of the £100 prize, Brewin Dolphin, and it’s recipient, Sally Sallett, were able to attend. A presentation of the competition entries was shown.

The three winners were:

1st ‘Hanging Out’ by Sally Sallett - £100

2nd ‘Social Distancing’ by Cath Muldowney - £50

3rd ‘ Wetherby Whaler in Lockdown’ by Liakat Parapia - £25."

Chris said Sally Sallett, who is one of Yorkshire Photographic Union’s executive judges and lecturers, was impressed by many of the entries and had commented that they showed creativity, observation and humour.

Sally said she was proud to have been voted winner by the judges. She also said a few words on the range of competitions available and their value to the photographer,

Chris added: "Mike Woodcock, Competitions Secretary, gave a presentation consisting of last seasons winning images from our internal competitions. Many of were shown in Gazette/Observer at the beginning of July.

"The evening ended with Liakat Parapia giving two presentations. The first on the effects of changing the length of exposure has on an image. The second was a highly entertaining, humorous as well as instructive, on his personal project of his first adventure into horticulture, growing chillies.

"The club will continue to meet every Wednesday at 7.30pm via Zoom until further notice. There is also our informal fortnightly ‘Snapchats’ on Mondays at 7.30pm, again via Zoom.

"If anyone is interested in getting into photography, improving or extending their skills or just getting someone else to view their images do get into contact with us."

Visit aireboroughcameraclub .co.uk to find out more information.

The pictures shown here are -

Prize winners:

1st 'Hanging On' - Sally Sallett

2nd 'Social Distancing’ - Cath Muldowney

3rd ‘Wetherby Whaler in Lockdown’ - Liakat Parapia

Others:

‘Alone - Man, Dog and Snowman’ - Dave Varney

‘Howarth Wholesome’ - Mike Woodcock

‘Only one exercise per day’ - Deborah Clarke

‘Empty Howarth’ - Joe Griffin

‘Mindfulness’ - Cath Muldowney

'Wear a mask' - Lorraine Berens.