Parkwood Repository Site Parkwood Repository SitePeter and I had the fortune of attending one of Roger Force's KCPA Provisional Judges follow up days...
Here are the bits and bobs of information collected on the day that might be of interest to us photographers who are looking to be one step ahead !!!
RECORD PHOTOGRAPHYusually done for administrative purposes and often referred to as "Applied Photography". CSI and Medical photography is one example.
all about conveying information... there should be no doubt about the application or design of the intended subject matter.
perhaps a particular habit of an animal, or the way a plant reacts to certain conditions... could equally be perceived as a record shot
size, colour, texture. material
the photographer has to make the shot interesting and therefore some amount of artistic merit should be evident
assessing a record shot...
technically, was the right camera used, the right choice of lens, was it printed correctly, should it have been monochrome
artistically...composition, use of light, viewpoint...all add to the visual attractiveness of the shot
presentation... very important, it has got to be attractive to look at
record shot competitions are not usually off the cuff so a preview is absolutely necessary to familiarise the judge with what is being presented
This is a photograph of X at Y for Z... is a typical example of what the name of the shot should convey.
Record shots can also be of interior design as in church architecture etc...
HUMOURnot enough of it in club photography
often perceived as a shot that will get a laugh but will not score highly
a good title is always important
almost photo journalism
could be "set up", but should appear to be spontaneous.
but.. when the competition comes the shot might have lost its appeal as the moment in time has already past
the subject is all important, not the technical quality of the shot
no doubt that there should be separate competitions for humourous shots to engage the minds of the photographers and to promote it throughout the KCPA
Photo JournalismTelling a story
Vietnam - Napalmed girl, horror on face... timeless appeal if not a disturbing image
similar to illustrative photography...
the difference is...
illustrative is a considered shot often using tripod and extra lighting etc... and usually adds to a story.. could be record photograph
photo journalism is where the subject hopefully is looking at the camera and is actually telling the story as it happened
the image should convey communication of the event to the intended audience
the photographer should very much get into the scene (wide angle as opposed to long lenses) close to the action
Sports photography is permitted as photo journalism
even if the photographer uses fill in flash and burns out some detail, the quality of the image is less important than the message
Photo Journalism is usually monochrome.
Portraiturethe subject should be interesting
suitable surroundings.. is the background appropriate and suitably lit
controlled and supportive lighting
this is where the photographer gets involvement with the subject
communicate with the subject
is the expression suitable
conveyance of subject character is very very important
good camera technique, correct lens for the job, and good digital techniques also can apply if appealing
are the eyes correct as they are often the most important part of the image (but not always!)
pictures of the girl next door are often great fun but is not considered great portraiture
Margaret Thatcher has a harsh character as the harshness and directness would be desirable in a portrait of her
whereas Micheal Foot is a quirky easy going uncle type character and that nature should be portrayed in his image
classical portraituremedium to large format cameras
subjects are suited and booted
portrayal of the unique-ness of the individual, aggression, expression etc...
head, shoulders, handsthe more typical club shot
use of lighting to get character
hands should be darker than the face
be careful not to have too many photographers
club portrait evenings never usually turn out great shots due to limitations of lighting etc...
subjects in their environmentspace and relationship of the environment to the subject
lateral thinkingjust the fists of Muhammed Ali
Ladies in coloursoft lighting, expression rather than boredom, incredible alertness is desired
Groupsall looking the same way
Informal Portraituresmaller cameras, usually hand held
sponteneity
closeness of subject behaviour
you take the picture in the habitat of where the subject is right there and then (similar to photo journalism)
Judging PanelsPanels are a collection of between 4 and 6 similar prints
Some clubs ask their members to produce a panel of prints for a judge in order to ready themselves for further distinctions that require panels.
The panel of prints should have only one title for the collection
You judge the panel, not the individual prints
It is not always necessary to give marks to a panel but to just make comments is often preferred.
Most panels are "off the cuff" judgements, which can be a daunting.
Are the panel of pictures presented in the correct order from left to right?
all the images should have a similar theme or texture or type of light.
Tonbridge and Ashford Quest are typical clubs that have "panel" events for their members.
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