A stroll in the garden

I enjoy being part of a camera club, but one of the criticisms that is often levelled at camera clubs is that they concentrate too much on the technical aspects of photography, at the expense of the creative aspects.  It’s a matter of personal taste as to what “too much” means here, as I feel it is important to understand the technical aspects very well in order to be able to spend time on the creative aspects without over-thinking aperture, shutter speed, ISO etc.  But this criticism is, in general, a fair point and I dislike that I find that mentality creeping into my own judgement of (my own) images on occasion.

For instance this photograph is one I would never enter into club competiton, or probably even show at the club, because there’s too much in it for a camera club audience to dislike.  It is, afterall, technically quite average.  I can tell you what a camera club judge might say about it (assuming that it got past the first hurdle of being considered a photograph at all, seeing as how wedding shots and camera clubs do not mix):

“Next we have “A stroll in the garden”.  I gave this one 22 out of 50.  It doesn’t work for me at all.  I think all the interest is here (points to the small area around the bride and groom) and it would have been better if the photographer cropped in, or used a longer lens.  Also, the couple’s backs are to the camera, which isn’t usually a good thing.  It’s a pity there’s no detail in the sky – it’s blown out in parts and an atmospheric stormy sky might have helped to lift the shot.  I find the figure at the right is too dominant and there’s almost no detail in the shadows.  Again, had the photographer cropped or zoomed in this would have been overcome.  And there’s something jarring about the people emerging from the left, and the fact that their faces are obscured by the window frame.  Oh, and it’s crooked.”

Maybe not, of course.  Maybe a judge would love it. But I think not.  And here’s the thing – all those points are probably valid things to say about this shot if you are looking at it from a technical point of view.  Now I don’t mean to do camera club judges a disservice by tarring them all with the same brush and making sweeping generalizations (and any other brush-related metaphors you can think of).  But I have seen many judges in action who judge images in that way.  I’ve played the system too, and on occasion scored 49 or 50 out of 50 with technically strong, but creatively unimaginative shots.  That’s the problem – the camera club competition mentality can make you technically good, but creatively weak.  If you let it, that is.

Let me reiterate again – I’m a fan of my camera club, and joining it has proven to be one of the best things I’ve done for my photography. In fact, I would suggest to anyone with an interest in improving their photography skills to find their local club and join.  I believe once you do that however, the key to getting the most out of a camera club is to recognize the pitfalls that the club (and the competition mentality in particular) can draw you into, so that you can steer clear of them.

With all that in mind, as I post today’s image I thought I would tell you what it is I like about it, accepting the technical flaws that the hypothetical judge highlighted above.

I like it because it captures a moment in the wedding, with the bride and groom heading out in the garden of the reception away from their guests, but still the centre of attention as the silhouette looking out the window after them attests to.  I like the fact that even though they are small in the frame, they catch the viewer’s eye instanty for two reasons – the focal plane is shallow and brings them into focus, and the brightness of the dress against the gloomier background makes the bride stand out – and there is no doubting that they are the subject of the photo.  I like how the presence of the window both frames the scene and transports the viewer inside the room which itself has only hints of what’s going on – the seated man and the out of focus pint glass – but still manages to set the scene as the drinks reception at the wedding.  Bascially, I like it as an example of a shot which breaks rules, could be executed better technically, but still manages to tell a story, hold the viewer’s attention and convey a moment on the wedding day.