A local park, a goose and an artistic twist: Boksburg Camera Club crowns July winner
The Boksburg Camera Club has named "Swimming in the Clouds" as its winning image for July. The photograph, taken by member Jackie Bell, was shot at Bokkie Park, Boksburg and was chosen as the club’s top image in the open masters category.
The winning picture is a gentle, creative interpretation of an everyday scene — a goose and its reflection — turned into a softer, almost painterly composition through subtle editing. Bell, a five-star masters entrant, told the club she frequently visits Bokkie Park and used a simple photograph as the basis for the final piece, emphasising reflection and a restrained post-production approach.
"I used a simple photograph of a goose to create a different interpretation of the image, using its reflection and subtle editing to produce a softer, artistic result."
Camera technical details for the winning image were supplied by the photographer: ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec exposure, focal length 271mm. Bell said the shot was taken "sometime in the morning." She joined the club in January 2017 and credited the group with helping her grow as a photographer and connect with like-minded people.
Club structure, meetings and entry levels
The Boksburg Camera Club caters to a range of skills, running categories from 1-star through to masters. Members meet at Laerskool Baandbreker on the third Wednesday of each month at 19:00. The club’s website is listed as www.boksburgcameraclub.co.za, where prospective members can find more information and upcoming meeting details.
Competition results for the month also highlight winners across star levels and set subjects, demonstrating the club’s encouragement of both technical skill and creative interpretation. The variety of winning images shows a healthy mix of nature, motion and compositional experimentation.
- Open masters winner: Swimming in the Clouds — Jackie Bell
- Set subject 4-star winner: Splash of Red — David MacIntyre
- Open 2-star winner: Landing — Frik Lombard
| Category | Winner | Photographer |
|---|---|---|
| Open Masters (Image of the month) | Swimming in the Clouds | Jackie Bell |
| Set subject, 4-Star | Splash of Red | David MacIntyre |
| Set subject, 4-Star — 2nd place | Contrasting Effect | Kerry Mellet |
| Open 2-Star | Landing | Frik Lombard |
| Open 3-Star | Rainbows | Amr Peer |
| Set subject, 1–3 Star | Bly by My | Frik Lombard |
Why local camera clubs matter in Boksburg
Groups like the Boksburg Camera Club provide a practical, hands-on space for residents to sharpen their photographic skills, exchange feedback and showcase local scenes that might otherwise go unnoticed. From parks to suburban streets, club members often lift familiar places into new light — literally and figuratively — which can change how residents see their own neighbourhoods.
For newcomers to photography or those who want to develop a disciplined approach to image-making, the club’s tiered grading system and monthly themes offer clear goals. The mix of technical notes (such as ISO and aperture) and descriptive inspiration shared by entrants helps fellow members improve and encourages a culture of constructive critique.
Anyone interested in joining or attending a meeting can find the club at Laerskool Baandbreker on the third Wednesday of each month at 19:00, or visit the website for more details. The club describes itself as welcoming to all skill levels.
Local photography groups continue to play a quiet but important role in Boksburg’s cultural life — creating a venue for learning, encouraging people to get outdoors, and turning ordinary moments into images that catch the eye.
