Flagpole Photographers, a Newtown-based photography club, presented its annual members’ exhibition and competition at C.H. Booth Library the weekend of April 29-30.

Judge for the print competition was Harry Voutsinas, a member of Norwalk Camera Club. There were 41 entries for Mr Voutsinas to contemplate, with 32 entries in the color film division and nine in the black-and-white film division.

Flagpole Photographers member Darwin Bacchiocci was the big winner of the show this year, taking the blue ribbon for the 6th Annual Dave Kriger Nature Award and Best-in-Show with his print “Zion in Utah,” a majestic mountain scene with a stormy sky above.

First place in color went to Jim Talarino for “Cruise Night”; second place, Tom Coryat for “Rose,” third place, “Margee Czel for “Stained Glass”; and honorable mentions were given to Mr Talarino for “Psychedelic Rose” and Joe Durante for “Sunset #1.”

First place in the black-and-white category also went to Mr Talarino, for “Mushroom.” Mr Coryat was the second place winner, with “Stump”; third place was Margee Czel for “Feline”; and honorable mentions were Jim Bird for “Back to the Future” and Margee Czel for “View from Castle Hill.”

Club Meetings

Flagpole Photographers is a non-profit organization through which photographers learn more about photography, largely through presentations made by guest speakers at the monthly meetings. Membership is $20, although high school students are welcome to join free of charge.

Membership is open to anyone with an interest in photography, regardless of level of experience.

Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month in the meeting room of C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street in Newtown. Meetings feature a guest speaker and may be attended by non-members. The monthly meetings also include a members-only competition, with a specific theme each month, and are judged by the guest speaker.

In addition to its monthly meetings, the club sponsors field trips and workshops at various times during the year.

The club’s next meeting will be on Thursday, May 18, beginning at 7:30 pm. Guest speaker will be Bill Marcy, the current president of Candlewood Camera Club. Mr Marcy will offer a slide presentation of his travels in Ireland.

The monthly assigned subject for members is “Reflections,” and Mr Marcy will be the judge for the competition.

For additional information concerning Flagpole Photographers, the public is invited to attend a monthly meeting or to contact any of the following members: Tom Coryat, 270-1943; Jim Talarino, 426-0558; Darwin Bacchiocchi, 268-5904; or Bruce Allen, 790-8226.