At Smethwick Photographic Society

I spent the day at Smethwick Photographic Society in Birmingham, at a workshop on judging given by the MCPF.

By the end of the first presentation, I was able to articulate what I don’t like about PAGB judging, in which I include the federations that make up the Alliance.

For the umpteenth time, I heard that PAGB reckons that two thirds of club photography doesn’t match the standard of ‘good club photography.’ But what is good club photography? How can you possibly set a standard? The speaker thought he could and pointed to the many exhibitions and salons that SPS hosts. Just look at the catalogues, he urged.

Well I’m not inspired by the photos in the catalogues. They’re repetitive, often dull, and lack inspiration and creativity. I see far better images posted by amateurs on various photographic groups in Facebook. Plus, the work of a true professional stands out.

So how can the PAGB say it sets a standard?

When it came to judging Art Nude, we were urged to look for the ‘beautiful.’ A photo taken by a well known photographer was shown to illustrate what was not beautiful. It had been rejected for exhibition. Well, I could also have argued one feature but taken as a whole, the photograph was very authentic, and it had impact on me. Many of the photos that had made it through were what I would describe as airy fairy.

At the coffee break, I remarked to the speaker that I guessed he was not a fan of the work of Dougie Wallace, an internationally recognised photographer who specialises in photographing people ‘off the cuff.’ The subjects don’t like what he takes. See Harrodsburg.

The speaker glowered, cast his eyes down, and shook his head.

At the concluding session of the day, the chief speaker once again urged us to extend our knowledge of what constitutes ‘good’ photography by visiting exhibitions. One of the attendees challenged him. He has very limited time because he has had to taken on extra shifts to make ends meet. Also, one of his family is suffering from cancer which takes up more time in visiting and care.

The chief speaker pooh poohed him. He could view exhibition entries on websites.

I found the response abhorrent. It was very evident that the chief speaker had not understood what the man had been saying, and certainly had no empathy.

So many reasons to feel angry with the arrogance of PAGB judges. I might have thought he could reply in the following vein: 'I am deeply sorry to hear about your problems and of the illness in your family. Perhaps I could suggest that you withdraw from being listed as a photographic judge at this stage, until your situation improves and you're able to give more time to it. We're very loath to lose a judge, but understand that your family priorities must come first.'

Today’s blip is a shot of the RPS Digital Imaging Print exhibition currently on show at Smethwick.