Here are some pictures taken on a trip to Cuba a few years ago. I have re-edited in Lightroom to freshen them up. Stayed in Havana for around a week and a week in Guardalavaca to the east.
My Selection from the Competition Entries

I chose this selection before the public vote took place. I was very impressed with the following entries which all get Highly Commended.
Amanda Booth Elaine Henshaw Doug Smith Andrew Holloway Nicky Geldart Nicky Geldart Steve Purdy Mike Witt Eric Aylett
Now to my personal favourites – In third Place Mary-Ann Blackmore

In Second Place – Ian Pinion

But in first place this stunning Image by Damian Garcia (This came 4th in the vote)

Thanks to everyone who entered. I will think about another competition in May with a theme.
Competition Results – Peoples Vote
We have had all the votes in for your favourite images. The results were spread across a large number of the entries and there were 3 votes separating the top three so it was as close as it could get. Here are the results for the peoples vote.
In third place Damian Garcia

In Second Place Steve Purdy

In first place with 2 images getting exactly the same number of votes Ian Pinion. Both Excellent images and worthy winner of our first photography competition and the fabulous prize of a £25 voucher.


Tomorrow I will be announcing my favourite images so check back.
Competition Entries
Thank you for sending in your entries – we have had 113 in total. The submissions are in no particular order and I have chosen my top 3 which will be announced when we have had the votes in from the public vote.
To vote for your favourites send me an email to forestside@btinternet.com with your 1st, 2nd and third for the public vote. Make a note of your favourites – each thumbnail has a number. Make sure you click on the images below to see them full frame as some of the thumbnails below are cropped. Closing Date for votes 20th April.
1. Sandra Thomas 2. Liz Reading 3. Amanda Booth 4. Amanda Booth 5. Amanda Booth 6. Amanda Booth 7. Amanda Booth 8. Ian Pinion 9. Ian Pinion 10. Ian Pinion 11. Ian Pinion 12. Brian Allen 13. Brian Allen 14. Brian Allen 15. Brian Allen 16. Brian Allen 17. Damian Garcia 18. Damian Garcia 19. Damian Garcia 20. Damian Garcia 21. Damian Garcia 22. Derek Smith 23. Derek Smith 24. Derek Smith 25. Derek Smith 26. Derek Smith 27. Elaine Henshaw 28. Elaine Henshaw 29. Elaine Henshaw 30. Elaine Henshaw 31. Elaine Henshaw 32. Doug Smith 33. Doug Smith 34. Doug Smith 35. Doug Smith 36. Trevor Lax 37. Trevor Lax 38. Trevor Lax 39. Trevor Lax 40. Trevor Lax 41. Andrew Holloway 42. Andrew Holloway 43. Tracey Rayment 44. Tracey Rayment 45. Tracey Rayment 46. Tracey Rayment 47. Tracey Rayment 48. Nicky Geldart 49. Nicky Geldart 50. Nicky Geldart 51. Nicky Geldart 52. Nicky Geldart 53. Mary-Ann Blackmore 54. Mary-Ann Blackmore 55. Mary-Ann Blackmore 56. Mary-Ann Blackmore 57. Richard Piercy 58. Richard Piercy 59. Richard Piercy 60. Richard Piercy 61. Richard Piercy 62. Steve Purdy 63. Steve Purdy 64. Steve Purdy 65. Steve Purdy 67. Steve Purdy 68. Kim Evans 69. Kim Evans 70. Kim Evans 71. Kim Evans 72. Kim Evans 73. Jill Peters 74. Jill Peters 75. Jill Peters 76. Jill Peters 77. Jill Peters 78. Eric Aylett 79. Eric Aylett 80. Eric Aylett 81. Eric Aylett 82. Mike Witt 83. Mike Witt 84. Mike Witt 85. Mike Witt 86. Mike Witt 87. Carol Garrett 88. Carol Garrett 89. Alan Fitch 90. Alan Fitch 91. Alan Fitch 92. Alan Fitch 93. Alan Fitch 94. Chris Pitt 95. Chris Pitt 96. Chris Pitt 97. Chris Pitt 98. Chris Pitt 99. Pam Lawson 100. Pam Lawson 101. Pam Lawson 102. Pam Lawson 103. Pam Lawson 104. Jeanne Taylor 105. Jeanne Taylor 106. Jeane Taylor 107. Jeanne Taylor 108. Jeanne Taylor 109. John Ingold 110. John Ingold 111. John Ingold 112. John Ingold 113. John Ingold
Times Article Plan now, go later. 30 great breaks in Devon and Dorset.
We feature in an article by Chris Haslam in The Times Travel section this Saturday. Featuring the best West Country breaks for when we’re travelling again.

We feature at no 24. You can read the full article here: https://www.fotocourses.co.uk/Times.pdf
To visit our Dorset pages and book a course for later in the year click on this link: https://www.fotocourses.co.uk/Dorset/Dorset.html
New Photo Competition

Send in a picture of your best landscape. It can be anywhere and you can send up to 5 entries. Closing date 15th April. I will then put the entries on the travelwithfotocourses blog in low res for people to see and will give a 1st, 2nd and 3rd based on my opinion. People will also be able to vote by sending an email stating what they think is the best entry from the selection. The 1st place based on the peoples vote will get a voucher for £25 to spend on one of our courses when things get back to normal. Its a token prize but the real prize is showcasing your work.
Competition Rules
Maximum 5 entries per person.
Judges decision is final.
There will be 1 prize.
Entires will be posted on the travelwithfotocourses blog at a maximum resolution of 800 pixels wide. The pictures will not be used for any other purpose without your express permission.
Send your entries to my email forestside@btinternet.com
Free photography book – Still Life

Check out this guide to get you started with some still life shots: https://photzy.com/beginners-guide-still-life-photography-free-quick-guide/
If you would like to download our online photography course check out https://www.fotocourses.co.uk and follow the online link. 6 modules with feedback on projects.
Free photography book – How to Create Photo Twirls

Here is another book to download which shows how to create some interesting effects using photoshop. You can download a copy here: https://photzy.com/how-to-create-photo-twirls-free-quick-guide/
If you would like to download our online photography course check out https://www.fotocourses.co.uk and follow the online link. 6 modules with feedback on projects.
Free photography book – Amazing Abstracts with Oil And Water

If you want to do something creative while stuck at home check out the free link below to download this book: https://photzy.com/amazing-abstracts-oil-water-free-quick-guide/
Over the next few days I will be giving links to other free books to keep you occupied.
If you would like to download our online photography course check out https://www.fotocourses.co.uk and follow the online link. 6 modules with feedback on projects.
Final pictures – Las Vegas & National Parks

Recently finished editing my shots from my recent trip. All edited with a mixture of Photoshop CC and some with Lightroom. I have uploaded them to my flickr account: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmM9VBhk
Here is a selection:
If you would like to book a place on next years trip visit our website https://www.fotocourses.co.uk