Camera clubs

ginger nz

I went to my first photographic society meeting tonight. There was a talk beforehand from some "A-Grade" photographers regarding styles of photography etc. It was all very interesting.

Afterwards they had the critique of some natural history submissions. Some of the judgements were incredibly harsh. Messy backgrounds, lack of sharpness, wrong DOF were all pinged in otherwise beautifully composed shots.

Is it standard to be hyper-critical at these events?

mikeanywhere

I would say yes if it was a camera club as they tend to be a bit more vocal.

As much as the comments may have been harsh, they are always useful as it makes you think more of the surroundings too.

elven

It's pretty difficult to tell though, just how harsh they are being without seeing the shots in question and the particular comments... one (wo)man's fantastic is another's snapshot - when it comes to camera club style photography too, technique tends to be regarded above all else to a certain extent.

ginger nz

Have spent some time thinking about it and I reckon the judging was pointed towards national competition level and there was no allowance made to new members etc.

Last night I was of the mind that I'd be too scared to submit a photo for judging but, on reflection, I think it just make me more circumspect about submitting anything that I didn't already feel was worthy of an acceptance.

Fenster

Camera clubs are fun until someone goes frothy mouth at the first mention of "digital."

The Galway Camera Club was the best of times and the worst of times... Although I can beg off that I left by virtue of emigration, there was a focus on technical perfection above artistic merit that I didn't agree with, in the end.

pippatee

Not sure what club you were in ginger, but I know from my own club in Tallaght, there are 3 levels, novice, advanced and premier.

The judging is based on those levels, and a judge will make allowances for your level.

I've seen some fine, fine shots from some experienced photographers absolutely trashed by judges, but then, they are only a matter of opinion,

Phil

mikeanywhere

pippatee wrote: »

I've seen some fine, fine shots from our some experienced photographers absolutely trashed by judges, but then, they are only a matter of opinion

Couldn't agree more!!

JMcL

pippatee wrote: »

I've seen some fine, fine shots from our some experienced photographers absolutely trashed by judges, but then, they are only a matter of opinion,

Yeah, it's a bit of a lottery, even at competition level. If you submit a fine landscape and get a judge whose boat is floated by portraits, you're very likely going to come of worse judged alongside an equally fine image of some whiskery auld lad in black and white, regardless of how objective they're trying to be. Vice versa holds true as well I guess