The IWDIG is very pleased to announce the success of our youngest photographer, Lucy Johnson, in winning first place in the JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race Photographic Competition. Lucy, only 15 at the time, won the under 18 category with her image ‘Through The Needles’ and was judged by Sir Robin Knox Johnston  to have taken the best photograph conveying the atmosphere of the Round the Island Race 2007 in that category.

Yachts & Yachting Magazine were the organisers of this prestigious photography competition with Old Pulteney and Henri Lloyd joining forces as sponsors. Numerous photographers in two age groups (under 18 and over) were encouraged to capture the excitement and beauty of one of the Islands if not the world’s largest yacht races and Lucy received a trio of Henri Lloyd dry bags as her prize with her winning image being published online and may also be published in the Yachts & Yachting Magazine. 

Lucy is at present studying media and photography at A level along with her other subjects, including language studies, and eventually hopes to work in media either in the UK or abroad.

The Isle of Wight Digital Imaging Group are pleased to be hosting the Isle of Wight Photographer of the Year (IWPOY) Judges evening on Wednesday 30th January 2008 at Dimbola Lodge, Terrace Lane, Freshwater Bay 7:30-9:30pm. As places are limited this is an invitation only evening and to reserve your place please fill in the contact form on the main IWPOY website entering IWPOY Judges Evening as the subject header. You will be notified by email if you are successful. 

This evening will give you the chance to meet the IWPOY judges from the 2007 competition and listen to how they arrived at their decisions. You will also be able to discuss your entries with them and maybe gain a few pointers for the IWPOY 2008. 

The Island Photo Centre, the newest IWPOY sponsor, will also be there to answer any questions that you may have and a representitive from Nikon will be demonstrating their latest DSLRs and lenses.  We look forward to seeing you and we know that this will prove to be a very interesting evening.

After the recent success of this year’s IWPOY (Isle of Wight Photographer of the Year) and its successes over the past three and half years the IWDIG will be launching itself into 2008. Moving the group’s venue to Dimbola Lodge, the former home of Julia Margaret Cameron and the Island’s center of photographic excellence is a bold step but will realise many benefits as 2008 progresses.

With many new projects in the pipeline and a very strong membership base 2008 will be a very exciting time. Working closely alongside Dimbola the group will further be promoting photography on the Isle of Wight where there is already a recognised wealth of photographic talent. The change of venue and new ideas will further establish IWDIG as a major player in photography and digital imaging on the Island which in turn will attract many new members.

The Isle of Wight Digital Imaging Group would like to take this opportunity to thank all of its members and associates for their past support and welcome everyone to an exciting and rewarding new year.