19 May 2025
Harpenden Photographic Society has beaten off 10 other clubs to secure a major regional wildlife award.
The annual Les Spitz Wildlife Competition is held by Pinner Camera Club and attracts entries from 11 photographic clubs from across the region entering, including Oxford, Watford, Amersham and Tring.
Each club submitted six wildlife images, which were then judged and critiquued by Andy Sands.
Of the six images that scored the top marks of 20 points three were from Harpenden.
Harpenden also managed to achieve the Best Image of the evening (Adolescent Anger by Julie Cawthorpe) and also the second-placed image (Fish out of Water by Anne-Marie Smith). The other top-scoring Harpenden image was Coyote hunting, Yellowstone by Ali Asplin.
Chairman of Pinner Camera Club Barry Kester said: “There were many excellent images, expert judging from Andy Sands, and I don’t think anyone would deny that Harpenden were worthy winners.”
Ali Asplin, HPS external competition secretary for HPS said: “This is the third year this competition has taken place. I am delighted that we came second the first year and have won it the past two years. Not only that, we have also had the second-placed image every year and this year the overall Best Image too. It shows what great depth HPS has in
wildlife photography and the high quality of the images we are submitting.”
Steve Collins, chair of Harpenden Photographic Society (HPS) added: “This strong performance is further demonstration of the incredible images that our members produce, and a tribute to the passion that Ali brings to ensuring HPS’ continued success in external competitions.”
