Strathalbyn Challenge Report

Last Sunday was the Great Photographic Challenge at Strathalbyn, where 10 members were given the use of a basic fixed lens (28 mm) camera loaded with film, and a list of 8 subjects to photograph. The subjects were: railway station, rolling stock, bridge over the Angus River, the old SA Bank building, main street scene, a touch of blue, old church, and photographer’s choice – a photo that says it was taken at Strathalbyn.

As we drove through the hills toward the town there was a light sprinkling of rain, but it cleared by the time we reached Strathalbyn. We weren’t quite sure what the weather would be like as the forecast was for showers. Fortunately the rain held off and all we had to contend with was the ever changing light, from a dull overcast sky to patchy clouds and then bright sunshine later in the afternoon.

A café at the end of the main street was the meeting point to collect our cameras for the challenge. We were given a couple of hours to complete the task, and then return to the café to give Reg the cameras so he could organise processing of the films. All the subjects were fairly close together so easy to get to on foot, or a short car trip. A few of us also took our own cameras to compare photos taken with both.

The challenge was a great success, as it made us think about the subjects and look for interesting ways or angles to photograph them. Everyone had different interpretations of the subjects, and so the judging of the photos on May 30 should be interesting.