Fantastic read for those in camera clubs that hold competitions

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

Cole Thompsons latest blog offering, about his thoughts on camera clubs that hold competitions.

http://www.photographyblackwhite.com/suggestion-camera-clubs/

 

[Doylem]

I agree with most of his sentiments. I don't enter photo competitions (and never have), because I license my photographs myself (and via agencies)... which means that I equate success with licensing a pix and seeing that money appear in my bank account. Failure, I suppose, would be seeing few sales. I have my own favourite pix, of course... often pix that nobody else likes, or are prepared to buy.

Comparing my pix with other peoples' pix seems to me like a creative cul-de-sac. It's great when people (or even just one person) says a pic of mine has 'hit the spot'. And I can handle criticism too. But comparisons? Hmmm...

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

I agree with most of his sentiments. I don't enter photo competitions (and never have), because I license my photographs myself (and via agencies)... which means that I equate success with licensing a pix and seeing that money appear in my bank account. Failure, I suppose, would be seeing few sales. I have my own favourite pix, of course... often pix that nobody else likes, or are prepared to buy.

Comparing my pix with other peoples' pix seems to me like a creative cul-de-sac. It's great when people (or even just one person) says a pic of mine has 'hit the spot'. And I can handle criticism too. But comparisons? Hmmm...

Thank you, Doylem for having the honesty and bravado to join this conversation.

I am just at the start of selling "my" images, albeit in a different way to yourself, as mine are limited edition one-offs which I print at home at A3+ sizes, soon to be A2 size. I exhibit in local cafe's and restaurants and make the sales from there, with a healthy commission to the venue of course!

All of these images are my favourites and are slowly proving to be favourites for others, including international fine art photography sites and magazines. The next step for me was to enter international big-name contests for the accolades and lift of profile again, but just as that bug was about to bite me big time, I really thought about what it would or wouldn't bring into my life and I have decided to not go that route, because it's not right for me!

I really liked what Cole had to say and have agreed with many, many of his blog posts where he talks about developing your vision and to do it for you!

I'm lucky in that when folks compare some of my imagery to another photographer's, it's yet another learning experience for me! Especially being the dim-witted and shallow study of art, that I am!

 

[filmbufs]

I always have mixed feelings regarding other people critiquing artwork. If they aren't an authority, such students in a classroom - compared to a teacher for instance, then they are more likely expressing an opinion that is purely subjective, as opposed, presumably, by a critique given by a person with technical knowledge and years of experience. I don't mind a person's subjective opinion because I trust my own 'artistic' instincts and I can handle criticism, where appropriate. And I recognize that even an 'authority' is expressing an opinion, albeit a qualified one. Hopefully.

I haven't entered competitions but I have been a participant in a few of the MR Weekly contests. I do that mostly for fun and to partake in the community. What I find most rewarding about the MR Weekly contest is the interpretation of a theme and seeing the variety of images that come about. I enjoy looking at other people's work and find it valuable to see an image shot in different way than I would typically have taken it, as it usually encourages me to work harder in capturing an image or seeing a better composition.

I think it is important to let others view your photography but equally important not to get caught up in any comments that might occur. If possible, filter the comments and select ideas that will help you grow and ignore others, if you choose, that contradict with your sensibilities. There is a lot of great talent here in MR so constructive advice can be helpful. You can learn a great deal from constructive criticism but you can stray down the wrong path if you listen to everything. Your skill level and sensibilities will naturally evolve. It's up to you in how that happens.

 

[Apple fanboy]

The only competitions I enter are here on MR and the odd one at work. Mostly to keep me shooting and to be a bit challenged outside of my comfort zone.
I don't go to a camera club, because tbh I don't have the time.
Also I think when you start out in photography the advice of others is really useful. As you move along your creative journey, you become more confident in what you are doing and why, so perhaps other peoples critique is less important.
Also kind of depends on whose doing the critique and if you value their opinion as well I guess.

 

[kenoh]

Lol... I think camera clubs are for weirdo camera nerds..no wait... joking...

No interest in a club as that suggests competitve shooting and thats not my bag. I am on a journey to prove to myself that as a techie geek, I can embrace and create art. Here is the key though, art as I see it not as anyone else does. I shoot for me but it does the ego no end of good to put up a lovely picture and get some likes.

What I like about MR is that you guys give encouragement and perspective, the cameradery here is great to motivate me. The competitions are not really a competition for me, they are suggested subjects each like a mini project.

They encourage me to take a picture of something other than a flower in the garden and I get to talk cameratrivia....

And actual club? Nah, not my bag baby...

 

[Apple fanboy]

Lol... I think camera clubs are for weirdo camera nerds..no wait... joking...

No interest in a club as that suggests competitve shooting and thats not my bag. I am on a journey to prove to myself that as a techie geek, I can embrace and create art. Here is the key though, art as I see it not as anyone else does. I shoot for me but it does the ego no end of good to put up a lovely picture and get some likes.

What I like about MR is that you guys give encouragement and perspective, the cameradery here is great to motivate me. The competitions are not really a competition for me, they are suggested subjects each like a mini project.

They encourage me to take a picture of something other than a flower in the garden and I get to talk cameratrivia....

And actual club? Nah, not my bag baby...

Doesn't that make us a camera club???

 

[kenoh]

Doesn't that make us a camera club???

Look its friday... dont be cruel...

we dont sit in cold church halls in woolly bobble hats planning rambling trips into the hills to take a picture of a hill..

We are renegades, we are mercenary, were are anarchistic freelancers who take pictures and say "hey, how cool is this?"..

subtle difference mainly in level of assertiveness...

We are a collective, a community, a forae....

I dont, know, that all sounded great in my head. It is Friday, I ended up pulling an all nighter last night for work so I am likely delerious... humour me...

 

[Apple fanboy]

Look its friday... dont be cruel...

we dont sit in cold church halls in woolly bobble hats planning rambling trips into the hills to take a picture of a hill..

We are renegades, we are mercenary, were are anarchistic freelancers who take pictures and say "hey, how cool is this?"..

subtle difference mainly in level of assertiveness...

We are a collective, a community, a forae....

I dont, know, that all sounded great in my head. It is Friday, I ended up pulling an all nighter last night for work so I am likely delerious... humour me...

Ok, ok! You sound like you need a beer!
Whilst on the subject of camera nerds,
and having been to the odd photography event, don't forget walking round the NEC with the biggest body and longest telephoto you have.
Of course my wife and daughter think I'm a camera nerd. They describe my photography outings as me standing in a random field with a camera.

 

[kenoh]

Ok, ok! You sound like you need a beer!
Whilst on the subject of camera nerds,
and having been to the odd photography event, don't forget walking round the NEC with the biggest body and longest telephoto you have.
Of course my wife and daughter think I'm a camera nerd. They describe my photography outings as me standing in a random field with a camera.

Lol.... having a cup of tea...

 

[Apple fanboy]

Lol.... having a cup of tea...

Enjoy! Nothing wrong with tea.

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

Look its friday... dont be cruel...

we dont sit in cold church halls in woolly bobble hats planning rambling trips into the hills to take a picture of a hill..

subtle difference mainly in level of assertiveness...

We are a collective, a community, a forae....

Sorry for the hatchet job with my snipping your message to bits. I'm in a respite facility again & limited to the mobile.

I wholeheartedly agree with you. I think of us as geeky comrades.

 

[kenoh]

Sorry for the hatchet job with my snipping your message to bits. I'm in a respite facility again & limited to the mobile.

I wholeheartedly agree with you. I think of us as geeky comrades.

Yeah that was what I was trying to say.... badly...

 

[someoldguy]

Back around 30-35 years back I was briefly involved in a local club . I joined thinking I could add to the information I'd picked up in some college classes I'd taken . Was a member for around a year and left with the vital piece of knowledge that I didn't want to belong to a camera club . Guess Groucho Marx was right .... I don't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member ,

 

[filmbufs]

Look its friday... dont be cruel...

we dont sit in cold church halls in woolly bobble hats planning rambling trips into the hills to take a picture of a hill..
...

Hmmm... maybe we SHOULD create a MR wooly bobbly hat for the secret society that is the MRWPC Collective (good luck deciphering that one.)

 

[Apple fanboy]

Hmmm... maybe we SHOULD create a MR wooly bobbly hat for the secret society that is the MRWPC Collective (good luck deciphering that one.)

Mac
Rumours
Wooly
Photography
Club

Mrs @MacRy could knit them!

 

[kenoh]

Mac
Rumours
Wooly
Photography
Club

Mrs @MacRy could knit them!

With a pocket for a memory card and a spare battery!? I am in..

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

Yeah that was what I was trying to say.... badly...

Not at all. I got what you were saying, Ken!

 

[tomnavratil]

Thank you for sharing the link, I've only got a chance to read it today with all your comments as well.

I would like to share my perspective and feelings on the matter and I do apologise in advance if it's a boring Sunday read!

I've personally started with photography when I was 18 with a simple point and shoot, learning about exposure, aperture and the basics. From that I've had a few DSLRs with D50 being the first, D7000 after and, currently, D610. As I would like to, eventually, have photography as a source of my income in way I try to improve as I go, watch videos, learn, shoot more, listen to people's opinions.

The only competitions I enter currently are the ones here, on MacRumors and there are a few reasons for that. Firstly, I really admire and respect the community here and I'm glad I can be a small part of it. Thanks to this forum, I have gained good feedback on my images, sought inspiration and also had a good laugh thanks to a lot of great topics being shared and discussed.

Also I don't believe my work is simply good enough yet to be entering more serious competitions. Referring to the article shared by Alex, I try to have my style and project my vision into the images, this applies to post-processing as well. Even though feedback I get on my images is quite positive from my friends, I believe I'm still quite far from becoming a professional.

I really like what @filmbufs said about the weekly contests here. I do like to participate in order to see how others will interpret the theme, listen to the critiques and also to have fun, which I find in this community. I also try to consider everyone's opinion and critique even though sometimes I have a different opinion, which is fine. It's great to have so many good photographers in the forum and I appreciate getting feedback on my images on regular basis from such a positive bunch of people, thank you.

 

[MCAsan]

The world around us constantly judges us and forms opinions...and we do likewise externally. Try to tell your boss they should not bother with routine performance reviews...just hand out regular raises.

We learn as much from failures as our successes. I have learned lots from the monthly photo reviews in one photo club. We either want to improve, or we don't.

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

We learn as much from failures as our successes. I have learned lots from the monthly photo reviews in one photo club. We either want to improve, or we don't.

We can also be stifled and made to be formulaic with the helpful intent of judging or job reviews. Both arguments are true. My personal choice is to do photography for myself, especially given my individual life challenges.

Each to their own.

 

[kenoh]

We can also be stifled and made to be formulaic with the helpful intent of judging or job reviews. Both arguments are true. My personal choice is to do photography for myself, especially given my individual life challenges.

Each to their own.

I agree. We all do it for our own reasons. Reasons of proving oneself, profit, emotional satisfaction...

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

I agree. We all do it for our own reasons. Reasons of proving oneself, profit, emotional satisfaction...

For me it's the challenges and creativity, primarily, but the satisfaction of printing a really nice image (even if that's only in my own eyes) is where it's really at! Selling images is a bonus & pays for the inks, papers, framing, etc... With a modest amount left over.

 

[kenoh]

For me it's the challenges and creativity, primarily, but the satisfaction of printing a really nice image (even if that's only in my own eyes) is where it's really at! Selling images is a bonus & pays for the inks, papers, framing, etc... With a modest amount left over.

Exactly where I am except for the selling bit... Friends of family have 1 or 2 of my pictures but not yet confident enough to think it is because they want them more than they feel somewhat obliged to have them.

For me however, looking at where I was a few years ago, it is night and day different.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Exactly where I am except for the selling bit... Friends of family have 1 or 2 of my pictures but not yet confident enough to think it is because they want them more than they feel somewhat obliged to have them.

For me however, looking at where I was a few years ago, it is night and day different.

Yes seeing where we have come from is a great way to see how we have progressed.
If I'm having a nice day out with my camera and come back with some keepers, I'm happy. If someone else thinks they have merit as well, even better.