Speakers Corner Meet - moved to identify this meet only...

[ABERS]

Sandy, I hope you won't take offence but don't just take photographs to please the judge, take 'em to please yourself. I'm a great believer in camera clubs, I belong to one myself and judges play a part in the competitive side of things. Having said that they are also a drag on inventiveness, expression and development. Once you know what the judges want and try to please them instead of yourself  you are trapped!

I rejoined my club again after 20 years absence and the same people that were there when I left were still there presenting the same pictures because their ideal was to get a 10 each month. The worst thing I sat through recently was a talk about 'What The Judge is Looking For', not once did the speaker mention a fresh approach or try something different, I'm pretty sure he wouldn't recognise it anyway.

By the way congratulations on your 20!

[Sandy]

Thanks I understand what you are saying, however it was a really nice feeling last Tuesday. Iam in class2 which is the lower class there is also a class1 in competitions and this weeks judge actually gave me first and second place and two twenty's and I have never had twenty before and then he chose one of my photos has best print of the evening so I felt like I was walking on air. I do like taking all types of photos and hopefully I will get that feeling again of winning but I just like meeting up with other people in the club and talking about photography.

Sandy

[Oldboy]

Thanks I understand what you are saying, however it was a really nice feeling last Tuesday. Iam in class2 which is the lower class there is also a class1 in competitions and this weeks judge actually gave me first and second place and two twenty's and I have never had twenty before and then he chose one of my photos has best print of the evening so I felt like I was walking on air. I do like taking all types of photos and hopefully I will get that feeling again of winning but I just like meeting up with other people in the club and talking about photography.

Sandy

Well done on your pictures winning. It's nice when others see what you think is a great picture, but as ABERS say's always take pictures that you like and enjoy. I don't belong to any clubs, but from what I've heard cruel comments can destroy a persons love of photography, and trying to please those people can stunt your growth as a great photographer.