On Photography

If my blog has seemed a little quiet of late, there is good reason.  I regularly visit camera clubs to give talks on a variety of subjects related to photography and have just added a new presentation.  It is called “On Photography” and to date it has been the most challenging of all my presentations to write.

When I first joined a camera club in 2004, I found myself confronted with a steep learning curve.  It was the time when digital was just starting to supersede film, so I was discovering not just the aesthetic aspects but also the technical ones.  I reasoned that if I was having to do this, others were as well.  It made sense to put all that I had found out into presentations to help others in the club treading the same path as me.  Thus it was I gave my first presentation, about composition, in 2008.

Starting with that particular topic was not the easiest task and the club’s then president, a former professional, was sceptical that I could achieve it.  Still, I was confident and the result was a success; even the president was impressed.  That talk has been the subject of much modification over the years, but the changes have mainly been additions.   It retains at its core much of what was in the original and is my most requested presentation.

The early intention was that I would only lecture at my own club, but I started to receive ad hoc invitations from elsewhere.  Eventually I decided that I would formally offer my lectures to everyone and I am now registered with the PAGB through my local federation, the Surrey Photographic Association.  I have gradually increased the number of presentations, which all have a common aim.  Most talks given at clubs are where the author is talking about their own work.  Many of these are inspirational and I enjoying hearing about what others do, but I prefer to help others with their photography.  That’s actually quite unusual, but does present its own difficulties in ensuring talks are kept relevant.

My latest presentation had its genesis back in 2008, when I first had the idea for a motivational talk.  At the time, I did not feel sufficiently experienced to write something of that nature and it also required a lot of research.  Nor was it easy to get the right balance and I made several unsuccessful attempts to start.  Then a while back a club I have previously visited on a number of occasions booked me to give it later this month.  Despite knowing that I did not have anything prepared.  My own club also wanted a talk for this season, so finally I had all the incentive I needed.  To great acclaim, my club has just received the inaugural presentation.

My final point is that giving talks about photography is a great way to learn.  Knowing that others will be on the lookout for any issues does concentrate the mind.  It gives me reason to analyse in depth the topics I talk about and without doubt my own knowledge and photography have improved as a result.

The details of “On Photography” are now on the website for anyone who wishes to know more.