Mullingar in focus for Irish Photographic Federation weekend
All roads lead to Mullingar for the weekend 17/18 May when clubs from all over Ireland, from Belfast to Blarney, and from Malahide to Galway compete in the Irish Photographic Federation (IPF) National Club Championship.
Among the clubs participating is Catchlight Camera club from Belfast, who are also the current world club champions, their second time to win.
A number of the competing clubs have been highly ranked in previous World Club Championships, including former champions, Dundalk.
In addition on 17 May an IPF distinction assessment will take place in Mullingar Arts Centre.
As in previous years Mullingar Camera Club will host and compete in the championships, which will take place in the Atrium, County Buildings, Mullingar. Club president Colm Kerr will coordinate members to assist with organising the venue for the competition, while club stalwart and IPF committee member Bob Morrison will run the Individual Distinction sessions.
Sponsored by Canon, the National Club Championship weekend is a celebration of creativity, skill, and passion for photography among Irish clubs. To compete, a club submits a panel of 10 monochrome and 10 colour printed and mounted images. All photographs shown on a panel must be the work of registered members of the competing club.
Over the two days, three international judges (Paul Hassell, Mike Sharples and Howard Tate, all from the UK,) will judge the Monochrome panels on 17 May and the colour panels on 18 May. Judging takes place each day from 10am until 12.30pm, after which time the prints are open to the public to view on both days.
Also on Saturday 17 May (1.30-3pm) there will be a Canon Workshop at Áras an Mhuilinn with printing expert Mark Padovan from the UK. All events are free entry.
The results and prize giving are at 2.30pm on Sunday 18 May.
Separately on 17 May in Mullingar Arts Centre the IPF, facilitated by Mullingar Camera Club, will hold the May Distinction sitting. This is where individual photographers present their work before the distinctions judges, who assess whether the applicant should be awarded the relevant distinction for which they applied. It is always a popular and informative event and one worth attending if you are considering applying for an assessment or just want to improve your photography.
There are three levels of Distinction and all will be assessed on the day. The Licentiate is the first of level and requires a panel of 10 images to be presented. The panel may be general subject matter or in a specialist category and must demonstrate competence in key areas of camera skill
The Associateship is the second level and requires a panel of fifteen images to be presented for assessment. The panel should sit together as a cohesive body of work and demonstrate the applicant’s individuality and sustained ability in photography. Successful applicants are entitled to use the letters AIPF after their name.
The Fellowship is the highest of these levels and requires a panel of twenty prints to be presented. The panel should sit together as a cohesive body of work and demonstrate the applicant’s distinguished ability and/or style in a specialist area of photography. Successful applicants are entitled to use the letters FIPF after their name.
The distinction sittings commence at 10am are open and free to the public and are an excellent opportunity to see the work of the very best of up and coming national and international photographers.
If you are interested in photography this is a great opportunity to get a chance to see the best images for 2025. Members of Mullingar Camera Club will be available to answer queries.