Welcome to.....

The Virtual NCV Photographic 

Competition Award Ceremony

Sponsored by:

The Pateley Pigeon Post

                      

"Hello, hello, hello everyone!!! 

Welcome to the first ever BLOOM (Blog Zoom) NCV photographic competition award ceremony. I am Mickey Finn, your host for this evening. I flew in from the USA 14 days ago to make sure I could quarantine in time for this prestigious event.

 

We are sorry that this ceremony has to be held virtually this year but, given the continuing global pandemic, I am sure that you would prefer to be safe at home! 

If you could all just ensure that your microphones are muted during the announcements we will get on with the long awaited awards. Video cameras should be left on (unless you are still in your pyjamas).

We are very fortunate to be joined tonight by the Pateley Pigeon Post's very own A.Hack, a North Yorkshire journalist of world renown, who has often reported on NCV activity in the past. He is going to announce the winners from the other side of this Perspex screen. 

So - without any further ado - it's over to you, A. Hack..."

"Thank you Mickey and good evening everybody.

I am honoured to be presenting these prestigious awards. The standard of entries in this competition has been high - it is hard to believe that all of the entrants are just amateur photographers.  

As winners are announced can everyone turn on their microphones to applaud, whilst winners receive their electronically issued certificates and prizes and say a few words? (Preferably as few as possible. Please ensure that you have a box of tissues to hand if you are inclined to become overly emotional.)

Without further ado - oh hang on - I'm getting some reverb on the system. 

Ooo, that's particularly bad.  

Osian - your mic still appears to be on. 

OSIAN - CAN YOU MUTE PLEASE? 

That's better. Thanks. We don't want to damage the audience's ear drums. 

There's always one isn't there?! Only joking Osian.

So - where was I. Ah yes:

In category 1 - 

Yorkshire Wildlife

This is not the easiest type of photograph to take. Your subjects are often difficult to see and seldom stay still long enough to get a good shot. However, the entries for this section are impressive. So.....

...the winner is

Tony!!!

with his amazing image 'King of the Nidd'! Just how did you get such a perfect picture Tony? 

And your prize is:

This fantastic Wet Plate Camera with a year's supply of wet plates and a trunk to carry it in. Ideal for those fleeting moments where you need to have instant accessibility to capture fast moving wildlife.

The runner-up is 

Osian!!

with his wonderful picture 'Barn owl hunting'! All the more impressive when you know he took the shot with his phone whilst driving parallel to the bird's flight path! Sorry Osian - what was that? You need to unmute now. That's it. 

You pulled into a lay by? Just as well really.

And your prize is:

A wonderful Polaroid camera which gives you instant pictures to share with your family whilst still out in the field! Who would have ever believed that this could be possible??

Moving on to category 2 - 

The North Yorkshire Landscape 

Although slightly easier to photograph than wildlife, landscape still requires skill - getting the right angle, the right light, the right view. This bunch of pictures did exactly that, but one stood out above all the others. And..... 

...the winner is

Andrew!!

with his stunning view 'Lonesome tree'! The colouring here is lovely. Hope you had your thermals on when you took this shot Andrew.

And your prize is:

This amazing, newly developed Rolleiflex camera which, thanks to the lenses protruding from each side, gives you the ability to take panoramic views up to 360 degrees without moving the camera!! The wonders of modern technology!!

Hot on the heels, just two votes behind, is runner-up 

Paul!!

with his beautiful scene 'Grewelthorpe Pond in Winter'. This is an idyllic scene Paul, well done.

And your prize is:

The latest in flash photography - a Box Brownie camera, a sturdy, easy to use piece of hi tech, guaranteed to give you 100% success every time. That flash attachment looks  nice and easy to pop into your pocket too.

Now, in category 3 - 

Seasonal Signs  

This was a difficult category to enter; given the recent weather conditions, seasonal signs (other than snow!!) were sometimes hard to find. However - one person managed to find a gem.

And the winner of this category is

Ros K.

....for your fantastic picture 'New Year Bulbs'! It gives us hope that better times are on the way to see these snowdrops and aconites pushing up through the soil.

And your prize is:

This state of the art folding camera which allows you to zoom in for well focussed, close up shots. Who needs a smart phone when you have one of these?

The runner-up, and, once again only 2 votes behind, is 

Anita!!

...with that great image 'Summer Snowflakes'! Such a pretty picture Anita.

And your prize is:

This most unusual DIY Pinhole camera which doesn't need any expensive lens replacements.

Who would be without one of these?

And now - one special, final presentation for the photograph that received the most votes. 

That photograph was..... 

 'The King of the Nidd'

So - please - can you come up to the podium once more, to receive this specially commissioned cup, coloured to match the NCV uniform....

NCV photographer of the year TONY!!

Well done to all the winners, runners up and all those who entered - it was a pleasure to look at your great pictures. Thank you again for the privilege of hosting this virtual ceremony tonight. Perhaps I shall see you out on an NCV task day before long.

Back to you Mickey."

"Thanks A. Hack and well done to the winners.

All prizes will be posted to recipients first thing tomorrow. Meanwhile, anyone who entered the competition can download a certificate for their fridge door from the link below. You will, of course, need to fill in the necessary details yourselves!

Now - go and help yourselves to some refreshments. There are bound to be some somewhere in the kitchen. Who knows - there may even be a slice of Christmas cake left over in the cake tin! 

Bye for now folks!!"