Although generically called critique the term is not universally popular and an alternative of "critical assessment" was introduced by the chairman as four groups of members sat down to peer review 12 images from four of their peers. We have held critiques before where the whole audience is free to comment on the presented image but this time the format was changed.
The first meeting of the new season began with both a welcome and a farewell. Some new members joined returning stalwarts for a welcome to the club only to be followed by Janet Brown, the chairman, explaining that she was standing down on health grounds. Fortunately Chris West, a former chairman, had agreed to fill the role until the end of the season. He then proceeded to outline the programme of competitions, talks and experiences. Members then provided some examples of their activities during the break since the end of the previous season in May.
As is traditional the final meeting of the year was the Annual General Meeting. After the formalities of apologies and previous year minutes the chairman Janet delivered her report on an eventful year with its usual mixture of meetings, competitions, photoshoots and hints and tips. In external competitions we held our own and had particular success in the SCPF PDI championships where we came sixth out of thirty eight clubs.
Based in Dublin Joe Houghton is a professional photographer with a day job as a professor of management at a Dublin university. He runs a photography training business and was Nikon’s trainer in Ireland for 10 years. He began his talk with the Henri Cartier Bresson image Behind the Gare St Lazaire, arguably the earliest street photograph. It would be panned by judges today but is one of the 100 best photographs of all time according to Time magazine.
Our final competition of the year, “The Best of Year”, took place on 27 April and was judged by David Eastley. A welcome visitor, David has judged for us a number of times before. His photographic interests are wide ranging and he loves to “push the boundaries and promote creativity” in photography. He described how photography is evermore becoming ‘photographic art’. He shares the view of many club members that what is important is the end result, the impact on the viewer, and not how the image has been achieved.
Our fifth competition of the 2022-23 season took place on 13 April 2023 and was judged by Paul Graber ARPS, from Guildford Photographic Society. Paul was a welcome visitor who has judged for us before.
This was a set subject competition: ‘Abstract or Experimental’ for prints and ‘People’ for projected images. Paul explained what he would be looking for in these set subjects.
Abstract / Experimental: is there an air of mystery and do I have to think hard about what the image is?
The 2023 Crouch Shield took place at the Barn Theatre, Southwick, which is an excellent venue for this competition. The images were projected big onto the theatres screen and looked great. There were some excellent images to be seen, and the judge, Cherry Larcombe EFIAP ARPS DPAGB BPE*5 gave a good critique of the images. She could be picky at times, but that is to be expected when so many good images are on display. We came third, which is a respectable position us in the competition. Geroge's "Wasp Drinking" scored our only twenty.
Our fourth competition of the 2022-23 season took place on 2 March 2023 and was judged by Roger Mendham, LRPS, from Bookham Camera Club in Surrey. Roger was welcomed by Janet Brown. Though a very experienced judge, this was Roger’s first time at Storrington. Whilst judging he gave frequent suggestions for improvements and entertained everyone with anecdotes drawn from his wide knowledge and experience. All present thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
Judge’s favourite images of the evening
In 2019 Chris Philipson of Eastbourne Photographic Society and his wife made a return visit to the US and embarked on a 1,000 mile journey. In a debut presentation he showed us photographs of his trip but not in the form of a travelogue but by focussing on four themes.
A lifetime with photography and a current project illustrated the latest members' presentations on their photographic interests. George Reekie and Kevin Harwood, both wildlife enthusiasts showed examples of their work.
