Interactive Critique Evening, 9th December 2008

Paul Franklin was in charge, as part of the Camera Club’s Personal Development (PDP) Programme. Rod Bird assisted and explained a bit about how judges react to pictures.

We want to encourage personal development in the print side of photography, and especially among new members. (Projected images are already being entered for ‘critique’ feedback using the club web site - see Critique pages.

Everyone showing prints in the Development Class, and anyone else who would like to was invited bring a print. Members who compete in the Open Class and who regularly score 18 or more did not (mostly) bring prints – instead they were spread around the groups to take part in the discussions and share their experience.

For the first half we set up eight discussion groups of about six people, each round a table. Groups were mixed up so that members got to know each other better. The idea was to share ideas about what works and what doesn’t, and to offer suggestions for dealing with the commoner technical ‘faults’ which attract the attention of judges.

Joe Humm took all but the last of the first half pictures on a Sony A350 which he had never seen before, never mind used. They have come out really well - see Group Discussions

After the break each group will offered up one of its prints for open discussion in the second half of the meeting. Someone from each group introduced the prints and Paul Franklin and Rod Bird lead the discussion. Interaction was encouraged, and was really constructive!

It sounded as though members were enjoying it. Pausing for a half time break was resisted for about ten minutes while groups dealt with unfinished discussions, and the chat was still going strong at ten o’clock and after. The only real silences were noted when Paul’s introduction appeared to be offering clues to levitation and Joe Humm, at the end, couldn’t find his winning raffle ticket.

John Ashford took most of the second half pictures - see General Discussion - and also thanked everyone who had brought pictures, taken part in the discussions and especially those who ‘presented’ in the general discussion stage.

-- JohnAshford - 10 Dec 2008