An image appreciation evening
May 6th, 2009 by Malcolm Bowditch
With Brian Winkle taking the role of organiser and guide, some 25 members embarked on a ‘new-for-us’ evening (05-05-09) that was certainly different. We were to consider a number of prints in a structured way following detailed criteria provided and admirably explained by Brian. The constructive and considered criticism this exercise encouraged was intended to show how images could be improved; it also made us a little more sympathetic to our judges!
Brian had us in assorted groups of 5 to a table, no mean feat given that some members had to be prised from their accustomed seats in the corner, and a clique of ladies was similarly broken up. We ended up in assorted groups of experience with at least one of the group an ‘expert’ able to impart insight where necessary.
In the guidance sheet prepared by Brian to direct our endeavours there were 5 sections. The first asked us to consider the technical quality of the images and under the last, had the author managed to capture something unique and special? In total we were directed to view images in a detailed and logical way.
Keith Chaloner
Being responsible for pressing for the introduction of this sort of evening, I am very glad that it was successful, equally though, I was obviously very sorry not to be able to be present.
It seems to have been a little different from how I had imagined it - and probably all the better for it! Nevertheless, on another occasion, it might be interesting to hear how people respond intuitively to our images - to hear their gut reactions, their emotional response - as an interesting change from the rather more structured and formal approach that judges have to adopt. After all, it is the man in the street, the person who buys the paper, the magazine or the wedding photos that determines the success of the photographer - not a ‘professional’ judge. We enjoy, and hope to profit from, listening to the opinion of formal judges at all our regular competitions.
It would be really interesting to hear the views of other members because this sort of evening could/should provide a most helpful supplement to the usual critique format required at a competition.
It seems very surprising to me that as yet there has not been any response to Malcolm’s request for views on the “image appreciation evening”
Is it because not many people visit the website? or are we just prepared to accept whatever is presented to us and have no desire to help in making the evening into something that will really be of help to us in our struggle to improve.
As for myself and Sally we both enjoyed the evening, even though the thought of having to make comments on other peoples prints seemed a little scary at first.
At one point I was a little concerned that we were spending so much time discussing the finer points of some of the undoubtedly excellent prints that were handed out to us, that we would not have time to be able to reveal our shots, which by and large we really do need advice on. Happily I need not have worried as they were all looked at and discussed.
My thoughts for what they are worth are that yes we do need some Master prints to see what is attainable but we also need far more novice ones presented to be advised on. This in turn depends on members knowing in advance and being prepared to bring them in and not being afraid of people thinking that they are rubbish
Discussing the evening the following morning we decided that it would either put one off completely thinking that we could never be capable of reaching the assumed standard or it would be a spur to reach new heights, we both fell into the last category.
How about some thoughts from someone else?
I do hope you are not holding your breath Dave.