Blandford Forum Camera Club

Hosted by Brian Winkle, our last club evening on 23^rd February was devoted to the second of our planned print appreciation evenings of the season.  For those yet to attend one of these events, the basis of these evenings is that members are encouraged to bring along prints, representing work in progress, and these are discussed by other members with a view to providing encouragement together with useful and constructive suggestions for how they might be improved.  The opportunity for a two-way discussion is felt to be valuable for both the creators of images and the commentators.  Members sit at tables of four, each of which is manned by a senior member of the club to lead these gentle critiques.  After the break, members re-assemble at different tables so as to benefit from the views of a different group and for the opportunity to view some new pictures.   

This was a very good evening and it may well be that these events are here to stay – certainly there is much to be gained from hearing what others have to say about one’s prints.  For example, it is possible that the circumstances surrounding the experience of capturing the image can, to a degree, mislead the photographer in his assessment of its quality and potential.  A manifestation of the ‘rose tinted spectacles’ syndrome perhaps?  To this extent, the detached opinion of others can be valuable.   

For beginners, there are the additional benefits of having any suggestions for improvements being backed up by those able – and willing – to explain just how such improvements may be made.   

It seems probable that the quality and value of these evenings will develop as we gain experience of this approach to self help.  Currently, with about four at each table and one change during the evening, a member would hear the views of six others.  If there were eight to a table, fourteen separate views would be expressed.  Would this be an advantage?  Alternatively, tables could be visited according to subject specialisation perhaps.  Maybe tables specialising in portraiture, landscape, wild life, mono, etc would help?  It would be very interesting to hear what others think, so please do use the facility to post a contribution for all to see.  

Malcolm Bowditch