The Irish Photographic Federation National Shield for 2019 takes place in Kilkenny and is proudly hosted by Kilkenny Photographic Society. Kilkenny Photographic Society would like to extend a warm welcome you to this year’s venue, Hotel Kilkenny, College Road, Kilkenny, R95 KPO8 and to also welcome our judges for this most difficult task! Our judges on the day are:

Ms Ann Cassidy MFA, FRPS, FIPF, AFIAP,
Ms Judy Boyle FIPF, FRPS, MFIAP
Mr Bob Given MPAGB, BPE3*, LBIPP

The Irish Photographic Federation are once again delighted to welcome back Sheldon Long and his Company Fine Art Papers as sponsors for this year’s National Shield. Fine Art Papers are the leading supplier of papers by Canson, Hahnemuhle, Fuji, Epson and St. Cuthbert’s in Ireland and are a fully accredited Gold, Epson Pro Partner for the supply of Epson printers and inks. You can check them out on the following link: www.sheldonphoto.com

In addition, Sheldon has a bespoke printing and framing service which he runs together with Framing Direct in Glenageary, Co. Dublin. www.fineartprintingdirect.ie. He is also available for printing and training workshops on both a club and individual level. Sheldon has had a long track record in supporting the IPF National Shield and acknowledges the efforts put in by nearly thirty clubs every year to showcase the works of their non-advanced members. In his own words, “it is fantastic to see camera club members grow from their initial involvement with the Shield to advance members competing on the world stage”.

Many members have their work first exhibited at the National Shield and it is important that as many clubs as possible compete as Sheldon feels it brings out the competitive streak in some, the building of friendships in others and a familiarity with major competition that helps raise the standard and promote photography in Ireland. Even if you or your club does not compete you should make a point of attending the IPF National Shield at the Hotel Kilkenny, College Road, Kilkenny on the 17th November next. Our sponsor Sheldon Long and his Company Fine Art Papers will be on hand with a large selection of fine art papers and other photographic supply’s on the day.

We are delighted to welcome Bernard Geraghty and Ian Carruthers to Kilkenny, two of Irelands leading landscape and astrophotography photographers who will be giving presentations during the course of the day. First up will be Bernard who will be presenting a selection of stunning images of his travel in Ireland, Iceland, Faroe Island, Isle of Skye, and many other places. Bernard’s presentation takes place at 10:00am.

Bernard Geraghty is a professional landscape photographer and the founder of Bernard Geraghty Landscape Tours, taking groups of photographers from around the world, all over the world. Having only found photography in late 2015, although always having a keen interest in hiking from a very young age, it was only when he got his first camera that the hiking adventures became truly fulfilling. After spending a year chasing sunrises, sunsets and the stars at night, Bernard quickly realised he found his calling.

Photography gave Bernard both the easiest and hardest decisions he’s ever had to make in life, the latter, the fact he worked as a plumber in a steady job, making a decent living, but the easy decision knowing that, with hard work, landscape photography is exactly what he wanted to turn into a career. Now in his 3rd year of business, Bernard’s job has taken him all over Ireland, North to Iceland, Norway, the Arctic Circle, Scotland and the Faroe Islands, South, to the Italian Dolomites, Tenerife, Switzerland and Africa and West to the U.S and Canada.

Bernard’s inspiration for being outdoors and travelling has many factors, he truly believes spending time outdoors can act as a medicine in a battle against mental health, while out shooting, taking time to sit or stand and enjoy the sounds around him and the priceless reaction of clients when shooting the likes of sunrises/sunsets, the Northern Lights and the Milky Way Galactic Core. Bernard is a brand ambassador for some of the biggest companies in photography like Manfrotto, Hahnel Industries and Formatt Hitech filters. More information:

www.bglandscapetours.ie

Our second presentation of the day will be Ian Carruthers at 13:30pm. Ian will  Present ‘Severe Weather and Astrophotography’. His main area of interest Meteorology, Astrophotography, Landscapes with a special interest in capturing rare events.

Ian have been serious about photography since 2012, however the passion behind it all was there ever since holding film cameras when he was young. Ian has a BSc in Mathematical science. His main areas of interest would be landscape, meteorology and astrophotography, with a particular interest in capturing rare events. Ian loves the planning, research and the finer details of getting a shot. Ian’s travels have taken him to America to study/chase severe storms including tornadoes, to the Isle of Skye to experience its stunning landscape, Iceland and the arctic for the aurora borealis and to Tenerife to witness the clear dark sky in all its glory.

In his spare time, he runs a weather page called Irish Weather Online which has close to 130k followers. His role on the page is short range forecasting, issuing short term forecasts and alerts for severe weather eg- Thunderstorms, Windstorms, Snowstorms and flooding. His photography work has featured in various forms of media including books, exhibitions and more recently got to tick off a long-time goal in which he won featured image of the month in BBC’s Sky At Night Magazine. Ian strives to get people interested in the outdoors and more especially, the night sky. Some of his photography goals for the future are to a) Go photograph an active volcano and b) to publish a book about the night skies of Ireland. More information:

www.facebook.com/iancarruthersphotography

Timetable IPF National Shield 2019

8:00am to 9:15am:

Registration and hanging of MONO Prints
All Mono Images must be in place by 9.30am

9:30am:

Judging of Mono images (No entry to room – restricted area)

10:00am to 11:30am:

1st Presentation by Bernard Geraghty Landscape Tours
A selection of stunning images of his travel in Ireland, Iceland, Faroe Island, Isle of Skye, and many other places.

Main Room will open once judging is completed from 11.30am to 13:30pm:

Viewing of Mono Images and Hanging of Colour Prints – All Colour Images must be in place by 13.30am

12:30pm to 13:30pm:

Lunch – Time to meet friends and have a chat

13:30pm:

Judging of Colour images (No entry to room – restricted area)

13:30pm to 15:00pm

2nd Presentation ‘Severe Weather and Astrophotography’ by Ian Carruthers
His main area of interest Meteorology, Astrophotography, Landscapes with a special interest in capturing rare events.

15:00pm to 16:00pm

Judges’ Comments

As in all IPF competitions, scoring is carried out separately by the judges whose scores are then totalled at the end of judging. Judging will be done in private, however, judges will provide commentary prior to the awards ceremony.

Our judges for the National Shield 2019 are:

Ms Ann Cassidy MFA, FRPS, FIPF, AFIAP,
Ms Judy Boyle FIPF, FRPS, MFIAP
Mr Bob Given MPAGB, BPE3*, LBIPP

16.00pm:

Awards Ceremony
Awards and certificates will be presented to winning clubs.