Barrie Forbes and myself represented the PUF when Durham Photographic Society held the monthly assignment at the Ouseburn area in Newcastle's East End on Saturday. It was freezing cold but with bright winter sun to bring out the colour and textures in this once run down industrial area.
Here's four of my images:

Boatyard




Lime Street Slipway




Home sweet home




Metro bridge



David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

Great set Matt. I particularly like the grafitti shots and the bike wheel.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

Lovely pictures, well taken, I enjoy this sort of photography and find the image quality of the K5 and K30 ideal for working in low light at relatively high ISO. To answer AuraTodd you will find some cathedrals and other places where there are a lot of visitors don't encourage the use of tripods.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

Guilio is not only a fine photographer he's also generous in his praise and encouragment for other people's work in the Gallery.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

He's worth all the encouragement you can give him as there is talent waiting to be unleashed. Why not buy him a Pentax and a HAT.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

Stupendous, thanks for sharing it with us Vic.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

No you don't get an opportuntiy to justify your pictures with the judges. They don't hold a debate with the people in the audience, they just discuss it among themselves and then announce whether you've been accepted or rejected.
As Lu said, you have to make the pictures speak for themselves.
If you get the chance try and attend a distinctions advisory day. It would be very helpful and you would get to chat to the experts about your panel should you take samples along.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

The 50x20cm mount size is also required by the Royal Photogrpahic Society for prints submitted for distinctions. This is the rule regardless of the size of the print. Its also the generally accepted mount size for photograpic exhibitions.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

I agree with Andrew, there's no doubt at all in my mind Barrie. No 1, which you entered in the competition, is outstanding. The farm buildings give it context, but perhaps my choice is based on my love of juxtapositions.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

That bit about the 5000-word disseration can not be serious. Its news to me that you need to do a disseration for an LRPS. I certainly didn't and I don't know of anyone else who did. For the A and F distinctions you have to write a short piece, probably about 150 words, outlining your thinking behind the panel.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout