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CLUB COMPETITIONS ARE JUST ONE OF MANY INSPIRATIONS - A PERSONAL VIEW
How do we improve our photography? As photographers, we have probably asked ourselves this question many many times:
- Should we learn more about composition? Possibly.
- Should we develop and utilise how different apertures affect depth of focus? Probably.
- Do we need a new camera/mobile/tablet? Probably not
- Do we need to be proficient in using the equipment we have? Definitely.
As a club, one of our challenges is to help our members to improve their image-taking. And we do this by giving lessons, instruction and practicals; we encourage members to take different genres of image through competitions and we have regular guest speakers.
However, one of the ways members can help themselves improve, is to look at other photographers’ work. There is a mass of work out there waiting to be viewed. Find images that attract your eye and then ask yourself why it interested you. It may be that you don’t know why you noticed the image, however, try to put into words what it is about the image that made you first look at it. To begin with, this questioning can be difficult to answer, but struggle and persistence do pay off: was it the colour that intrigued; was it the composition; was it the subject matter? In doing this frequently and consistently, you will find your photography will change - certainly, your views on photography (and what is photography) will enlarge.
Yes, we are a photographic club, so obviously see ‘club photography’. And are influenced by club photographs. But there are so many other types, forms and categories of photography out there. And we encourage our members to look at these other resources; they do act as a catalyst to inspire greater photographic creativity.
The International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) gives you a view of what images are being created around the world.
Try clicking on the ‘explore’ button on your Flickr page (situated top left on laptops and desktop computers). The drop-down gives access to recent images, events, Flickr galleries and more.
Also, take a look on Facebook; it is another excellent resource for images and ideas.
Once started, who knows where your creativity will take you.
Paul Major
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