Set subject: ABSTRACT - THE EMMANUEL TROPHY
Judge: Steven Galvin
Whilst scores from this competition form part of the aggregate, there will also be an outright winner selected for this annual trophy to be awarded in Emmanuel’s name.
Background:
Emmanuel - known pretty well universally only by his first name - was a mainstay of this Club for many years and, for the past ten years or more, was the club representative that organised the judges and set subjects for our internal competitions. He was hugely creative and had worked as an illustrator across diverse genres; from fantasy, gaming, and magazine covers to detailed botanical specimen illustration for Kew Gardens. Right up until his death in June 2026, he was only happy when drawing, sketching, considering images, framing, and wanting his work to be shared.
However, Emmanuel did particularly enjoy abstract work; both in his art and in his photography. In his honour, this competition aims to encourage pushing the boundaries, “Abstract on Steroids”, if you will.
Our judge for the evening, Steven Galvin, writes:
The "Abstract on Steroids" themed competition invites EHHPS members to abandon literal representation and embrace visual experimentation. Images should stretch reality, magnify the overlooked, and transform the ordinary into striking works of abstract art. The more imaginative, surprising, and visually arresting the result, the better.
Competitors should capture photographs that transform familiar subjects into extraordinary visual experiences. Entries should emphasise abstraction so strongly that the original subject becomes secondary—or even unrecognisable. The goal is to create bold, visually powerful images that exaggerate the principles of abstract photography through creative techniques, unconventional viewpoints, dramatic lighting, intentional motion, macro detail, reflections, distortions, multiple exposures, or digital manipulation.
The objective is to challenge photographers to move beyond documenting reality and instead create images that evoke emotion, curiosity, and imagination through intensified abstract expression.
