Ards Camera Club

The many members and friends of Ards Camera Club attended the funeral today of David Sinclair Adair, at St Columba's Church, Kilcooley, Bangor. In line with Sinclair’s attitude throughout his life there was also laughter as we were reminded of several of his most famous photographs such as his infamous “Mother-in-law” photos.

The following tribute was written by the club chair, Jenny McCrea.

“Sinclair was a much loved member of the club right into his 90s and though he didn't attend many meetings latterly, you would always know when he was there, there would be a bit of a crackle in the air, and of course, he would be sitting in his special place, front row left.
Unfortunately, I wasn't lucky enough to spend a lot of time in his company, as a relatively new member of the club, but I was in awe of him for his sheer brilliance as a photographer.

The camera was an extension of his mind, and some very unusual photographs would emerge from there, making you look at mundane things in a completely new light. He began his career as a technician helping out in a photographic shop, and by dint of talent and hard work, he started his own studio. He also competed in Salons and competitions and developed a prodigious reputation among his fellow rivals! He had a wicked sense of humour and this showed in his Audio Visual presentations as well as his composite images.

Our club holds a Sinclair' evening each year, when club members try to outdo the Master' at weird and clever topics, with varied success.

We shall miss him, but thankfully his talent lives on in his son, Rusty, who shows every bit as much flair as his father.”

Sinclair's funeral took place on Friday 21st July 2023 with a service at St Columba's Church, Kilcooley, Bangor, followed by bural at Clandeboye Cemetry.

Further information on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cameraclubards

+++ CONGRATULATIONS +++

Ards Photographer awarded Royal
Photographic Society Membership

Another great success for Ards Camera Club as member Sean Evans
was awarded Licentiate of The Royal Photographic Society.

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Photos by Ards Camera Club members in the new Macmillan Cancer Care Centre at the Ulster Hospital

Ards Camera Club are delighted to welcome the opening of the new Macmillan Cancer Care Centre at the Ulster Hospital today by Health Minister Robin Swann. The Club was excited to be invited to send local images on the theme of Flight and Movement to adorn the Unit and we are honoured that 8 photographers had 14 of their photographs chosen.

Congratulations to Ted McKee, Jenny McCrea, Claire Russell, Elizabeth Campbell, Keith Malcolm, Marty Coney, Marlene Hazlehurst and Sean Evans. This unique building provides welcoming, uplifting spaces that support the comfort and wellbeing of patients.

You can catch some glimpses of the artwork in the news coverage and the photos taken below by Hospital staff as, of course, we can't visit at the moment. We will add some more photographs here soon. We also appreciate the work of last year's committee in managing this valuable project.

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Ards Photographer awarded Royal
Photographic Society Membership

Another great success for Ards Camera Club this week as member
Patricia Mackey was awarded Licentiate membership of The Royal Photographic Society.
Her successful panel is a carefully constructed, coordinated and complementary collection
from both her worldwide travels and her back garden.
Patricia is also one of our members always willing to help support beginner photographers
to improve their skills.

Click on panel above for larger view

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Newtownards Chronicle 15 July 2021

Images by Sinclair Adair which were accepted for the NIPA Exhibition
ABOVE: "You go first";
BOTTOM: left, "Oh lonesome me"; right, "Innocence"

Seven members of Ards camera club have had work accepted for the
Northern Ireland Photographic Exhibition (NIPA) 2021.

Those who had photographs accepted are Jonnny Andrews, Patricia Mackey,
Alan Hillen, Sinclair Adair, Sian Kerr, Collette Andrews and Ted McKee.

In addition the club was delighted to see Alan Hillen and Sinclair Adair
awarded PAGB ribbons.

Congratulations to all those who had an image accepted and especially
to those who received an award.

To view the Ards Camera Club accepted and awarded
images click here

Also congratulations to Catchlight Camera Club, whose members were
awarded all six PAGB medals for the six best photographs.

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+++ CONGRATULATIONS +++

Three Ards Camera Club members awarded distinctions!

Sian Kerr, Sinclair (Rusty) Adair and Linda Hutchinson
were successful in gaining distinctions for their photography.

Sian was also awarded the One Crown Award from British Photographic Exhibitions
in recognition of her success in Exhibitions across the UK.

Sinclair (Rusty) Adair CPAGB

Credit of The Photographic Alliance of Great Britain

Linda Hutchinson LIPF

Licentiate of The Irish Photographic Federation

There were hundreds of entrants so this was quite an achievement.
Congratulations Richard.

Ards CC member Alan Hillen has had an image, taken at Gosford Park
in October 2020, published in the daily broadsheet newspaper,
The Daily Telegraph. As far as I know this is certainly a first for an
Ards member.

Alan joined Ards as a novice photographer in 2019 gaining in his first year
6 stars in NIPA Inter-club competitions 2019/20 - along with 3 top images
in different rounds and 2 commended images, also 3 commended images
in the Roy Finlay Memorial Natural History Competition.

Alan finished off the NIPA Competition year by being awarded a
Gold medal in the NIPA 2020 Exhibition.

Whilst that year will be hard to top, Alan shows no sign of letting up,
already gaining 2 NIPA Stars in the 2020/21 inter-club Competitions.

We look forward to yet more success from Alan in the years ahead.

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NIPA Exhibition 2020

Congratulations to all those who entered the NIPA exhibition -
they had over 600 entries and Ards has done spectacularly well!
Please see below the results:

Gold Medal Winner in Mono - Alan Hillen 'Causeway's End'

Bronze Medal Winner in Mono - Jonny Andrews 'Little Egret'

Thanks as well to Linda for noting this down for us during the Zoom session.
Titles with a * beside them were commented on by the judges on the night.

Congratulations to member Neal Ritchie
on his recent NIPA success!

Top print mono print in NIPA Round 4 (transport) and a voucher for WEX photography
was his reward for his trouble - well done Neal.

'The Passenger' by Neal Ritchie

I'd like to thank everyone at the Northern Ireland Photographic Association (NIPA)
for choosing my photo as the top print in the latest round of competition!

The shot was taken while walking down a trail towards the back entrance to
Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia .
We all walked by the bike parked by the side of the track - it wasn't until
I turned around that I even noticed the little stowaway!
I was using my old, trusty Fujifilm XT1.

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Top Marks to Ted McKee and Alan Hillen
Ards Camera Club

As Competition Secretary, I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who
has put images into the first two rounds of the 19/20 season.

Two rounds, two stars and a fair number of 12 points scoring close shaves...
Ards CC is more than holding its own and is in joint 2nd place.

Can I encourage you all to get snapping and processing in the next 10 days ..
lets make Round 3 even better.

Also, the travelling support that Ards brings is brilliant. Keep it up folks.

Some of the latest successes for
Ards Camera Club members
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Northern Ireland Photographic Association’s
Top Print and PDI Competition 2018

Top Colour Print: 'Aerial Warfare' by Keith Malcolm

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Northern Ireland Photographic Association’s
Roy Finlay Memorial Natural History Competition 2017

'Toadheaded Agama' by Michael Loane
Overall Winning Image - Colour Print
Roy Finlay Memorial Natural History Competition 2017

'Common Terns With Sand Eel' by Keith Malcolm
Highly Commended Colour Print
Roy Finlay Memorial Natural History Competition 2017

'Ringlet' by Ted McKee
Highly Commended Projected Digital Image (PDI)
Roy Finlay Memorial Natural History Competition 2017

'Honeycomb Moray' by Michael Loane
Highly Commended Projected Digital Image (PDI)
Roy Finlay Memorial Natural History Competition 2017
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Northern Ireland Photographic Association’s
Inter-club competitions 2017-2018

'Aerial Warfare' by Keith Malcolm
Starred Colour Print - NIPA Inter-club Competition
Round 1 - October 2017 - Subject: 'Open'

'Early Morning Orange-tip' by Ted McKee
Starred Projected Image - NIPA Inter-club Competition
Round 1 - October 2017 - Subject: 'Open'

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Some of the latest successes for
Ards Camera club members
Congratulations...

to everyone involved with Round 1 NIPA 2017.
A wonderful diverse range of entries and well done to
Ards Camera Club members representing the club
especially Neal, Ted and Keith.

Ards Camera Club succcess at
Northern Ireland Photographic Association’s
Roy Finlay Memorial Natural History Competition 2016

'Zebra' by Patricia Mackey
Commended Colour Print
Roy Finlay Memorial Natural History Competition 2016

'The Kiss' by Keith Malcolm
Commended Colour Print
Roy Finlay Memorial Natural History Competition 2016

'Gannets' by Ted McKee
Highly Commended Projected Digital Image (PDI)
Roy Finlay Memorial Natural History Competition 2016

'Emerald Damselfly' by Ted McKee
Highly Commended Projected Digital Image (PDI)
Roy Finlay Memorial Natural History Competition 2016

'Greened Veined White Butterfly' by Ted McKee
Commended Projected Digital Image (PDI)
Roy Finlay Memorial Natural History Competition 2016

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Ards Camera Club succcess at
Northern Ireland Photographic Association’s
Annual Novice Competition 2016

Congratulations to Neal Ritchie for obtaining top print in both the Monochrome
and Colour sections of the NIPA Novice Competition 2016 and
winning the competition overall for his monochrome print 'Souq Waqif'

'Silent Night at Cook Street' by Neal Ritchie
Top Colour Print - NIPA Novice Competition 2016

A delighted Neal Ritchie with his winning prints at the
NIPA Novice Competition held in Bangor

Members of Ards Camera Club at the NIPA Novice Competition

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"Starred Entry" in the NIPA -
(Northern Ireland Photographic Association)
Inter-club Competition - Round 2 - November 2015

'Blue Tailed Damsel' by Ted McKee
Starred Projected Image - NIPA Inter-club Competition - Round 2
Subject: 'Open'

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Success for Ards Camera Club Novices
at the Northern Ireland Photographic Association’s
Annual Novice Competition

See 'Notes' page for details

'The Librarian' by Irvine Ferguson
Joint 3rd Place - NIPA Novice Competition 2015

'Structure' by Patricia Mackey
Highly Commended - NIPA Novice Competition 2015

Decayed Dreams' by Linda Hutchinson
Commended - NIPA Novice Competition 2015

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"Starred Entry" in the NIPA -
(Northern Ireland Photographic Association)
Inter-club Competition - Round 2 - November 2014

'Digital Clock' by Ted McKee
Starred Projected Image - NIPA Inter-club Competition - Round 2
Subject: 'Open'

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Below are a small selection of the Projected Digital Images
from the 2014 Annual Exhibition held in the
Ards Arts Centre during June 2014

'Ballerina Dance' by David S Adair
1st Place - Advanced - 2014 Annual Exhibition - PDIs

'Stormy Morning' by Ted McKee
2nd Place - Advanced - 2014 Annual Exhibition - PDIs

'Venetian Eyes' by Patricia Mackey
1st Place - General - 2014 Annual Exhibition - PDIs

'Go Faster' by Stephen Weatherall[
2nd Place - General - 2014 Annual Exhibition - PDIs

'Morning Rose' by Linda_Hutchinson
3rd Place - General - 2014 Annual Exhibition - PDIs

'Star' by Elizabeth Campbell
General - 2014 Annual Exhibition - PDIs
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