Written by Bob Britcher
The Queensland Camera Group is trialling a new program called Mentor of the Month.
The programme aims to provide members an opportunity to make contact, on a one-on-one basis, with one of our more experienced members to take advantage of their extensive photographic skills and experience.
Our first Mentor of the Month is the highly respected and experienced Bob BRITCHER (AFIAP AAPS PSQA). There is probably no one currently active in the club who has more photography club history and experience than Bob.
In this story, Bob shares his insights into the development of you as an artist, and how camera club judging can be a part of that development.
“Creativity is a journey of experiences and dedicated
endeavour”
As photography is considered to be a means of self expression it is therefore a recognised part of the art community.
All artistes have the creative licence to make the kind of art they like as an individual and in such a way as to please themselves first and foremost.
Try to keep in mind: - “There is no right or wrong way to be a creative artiste. That is why there is no criteria to measure success. Trying to fit criteria into your creative endeavours can kill creativity. Creativity is a journey of experiences and dedicated endeavour”.
Teaching and learning technical aspects of any art medium is the easy part. However no one person can teach a person creativity - they can only offer some guidance along one’s journey of discovery. Creativity comes from within one’s heart, mind and soul, accumulated over time, during one’s journey through life.
The thoughts, comments, opinions I express are simply a personal point of view from my own ‘Life’s Journey’. If during developing knowledge and skills, one seeks inspiration outside of the immediate environment they practice in, a thought to ponder when listening to comments and critiques of any art is the question, ‘When, where, why, how, does mentoring begin and/or end?’.
To me, the answer is: ‘Any comment is always a new beginning – mentoring never ends. No matter who makes a statement, if the listener is prepared to keep an open mind to all comments, it’s amazing how little snippets of information can help to improve and shape the destiny of one’s endeavours’.
But while practising that, we also need to appreciate that everyone has an opinion and in a democratic society of free speech, we are all entitled to own our own opinion. That includes not only yourself but anyone viewing the art you make, such as guest judges invited to offer their own thoughts on your efforts.
Brisbane at Dusk 2012
Brisbane Celebrates NY 2013
Alone at Riverside
So remember, just because one person may or may not like what they see at any point in time, it does not mean to say that everyone else will have the same opinion. But, if comments are similar, then it’s perhaps time to think about: - “Whose advice should one follow that will help advance my knowledge, skill and methodology?”
In competitions, any capture and editing decision one makes has an effect on the result one gets back for their efforts. Club judgings include an adjudication that supplies the reward for your effort and for some (usually more experienced members) that’s all they want.
The more important to most though, is the feedback via the critique. There are many ways one can create and present their images, and the purpose of making the Image will determine that in most circumstances. My efforts are aimed at helping to create Images for competitions only.
Looking Desirable
With written critiques, time and space probably precludes whether one receives enough. I’ve always had difficulties with understanding anything, so I’ve matured with that in the back of my mind whenever I offer my thoughts in any forum, and as a result as a judge I’m told, “You say too much”.
My thought on that view is a reflection from my own past experiences, such as if it’s not explained properly/clearly, one will not learn what they need to know.
For the Subject Category of ‘OPEN’ there is no need for a DEFINITION but for SET Categories always refer to the definition supplied for each different category. For competitions, I’m looking for a strong point of interest (POI), in a creative composition, and hopefully a good story - something that makes an artistic statement compared to just a pretty image.
Windsurfer
Turbulant Ocean
Competitions don’t allow wording to be included, so in my opinion, better images convey a strong story, based on the content and ability displayed with the framed real estate.
The Supervisor
Solumn Moments Shared
To me, the link below has great creative examples of the less is more philosophy, which stands out dramatically when compared to some other images that are included - which are not so subtle - and therefore have less of a WOW factor.
There are any number of subjects – not necessarily so small [minimalist] – that can be treated in a similar way. It is just a simple matter of seeing, not just looking. The secret lies in the way technical skill, lighting, leading lines, colour [especially complementary colours], subject, story and interpretation have been combined to create a strong composition.
Check out the following link and see if you agree with what the few examples demonstrate.
https://www.photopoly.net/24-eye-catching-ladybug-pictures/
You may have heard several quotes by icons of photography such as Ansel Adams.
One of his I often refer to is: - “DON’T JUST TAKE A PHOTO – MAKE A PHOTO”.
I’ve expanded that wording with this version: - “IF YOU WANT A GOOD ENDING – DON’T STOP AT THE BEGINNING”.
A broader explanation of that is the following: - “SIGNIFICANT PHOTOGRAPHY INVOLVES A TWO STAGE PROCESS – TO THE POWER OF TWO”. The two stages are THE CAPTURE and THE POST PROCESSING. The Power of 2 is the technical skills needed on how to use the tools of each, and the creative way to use those tools and interpret the kind of results you desire from the capture and editing of each image. Interpretations come from the heart, mind, and soul of your ‘Journey through Life’.
A final tip that’s always worth keeping in mind: - Remember the 7 ‘Ps’ ...PRIOR PROPER PREPARATIION PREVENTS PRETTY POOR PHOTOGRAPHY.
Many thanks for the invitation to Mentor and for your interest.
I hope the comments help.
Cheers.
Bob Britcher
Mentor of the Month
As Mentor of the Month, Bob Britcher is available for you to contact during the month of September. Bob’s photographic strengths are nature, people, landscape, macro and action.
The types of enquiries which you may wish to make include, but are not limited to:
Critiques and feedback on images for competitions.
Judging advice – what a judge looks for.
Entering national and/or international competitions.
Photographic equipment for specific photographic genres and types of images.
Camera settings and techniques for specific photographic genres and types of images.
Postproduction techniques, tips and tricks.