Photography News Issue 29

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Photography News Issue 29 absolutephoto.com

Profile

Before the Judge

Biography

Each issue, a respected judge or exhibition selector shares their thoughts and experiences. This month, we hear from Paul Mitchell who embraces digital technology alongside his low-fi cameras Paul Mitchell FRPS

Words by Paul Mitchell

I have been judging on a regular basis for about eight years, initially within the Chilterns Association of Camera Clubs area and spreading out to various federations in the South East of the UK. Last year I was invited to be one of the RPS Visual Art Exhibition selectors. But being a full-time graphic designer means I’ve been associated with photography in one way or anotherformorethan30years.After joining my local photographic club and sitting through competitions I became aware that my experience as a designer would be of benefit in the judging arena. Photography can sometimes be an isolated pastime, which is why it gives me great pleasure visiting other clubs and meeting like- minded individuals. I constantly feel privileged to view and comment on other photographers’ work, with the added bonus of being able to pass on some of my experience. Over the years, I have had many rewarding moments, but I still take great pleasure when the results of a competition are announced and the top spot has been awarded to either a newcomer or someone that is enthusiastic but success has eluded them. It also makes those who are used to winning work harder! The standard of club photography has never been higher. The megapixel race is all but over and photographers seem at ease with their equipment, software and printing, I believe they now feel free to concentrate on content and style. As each year passes one only has to look at the successes in the various salons, RPS Print International and high-profile commercial competitions such as LPOTY and WPOTY, to see that a large majority of successful images have

Paul Mitchell With a background in graphic design, Paul has been judging for many years and was recently invited to join the RPS Visual Art Exhibition selectors. His attitude to his own photography and advice for other photographers is to be true to yourself. Years in photography My parents bought me my first camera when I was 15, a year later I went to art college which gave me my grounding in everything photographic. Apart from family snapshots, it’s been the last 15 years that has seen my interest in photography rekindled. Home club Amersham PS, a member of Arena Photographers and a founder member of Landscape Collective UK (LCUK) Favourite camera It’s like asking an artist what is their favourite brush! The cameras I use the most are: Zero 2000 pinhole camera, Agfa Super Isolette, Bronica SQ-Ai, Chamonix 045N-1 and Nikon D810. Favourite lens Whatever is on the camera at the time! Favourite photo accessories Spirit level Favourite photographers Christopher Burkett and Shinzo Maeda Favourite subject or technique I am primarily a landscape photographer, with pinhole being my favoured technique Awards FRPS, numerous club and PAGB awards, Sunday Times Magazine Award winner in the Take-a-View LPOTY competition 2013 and Urban View Category Winner in the Take-a-View LPOTY competition 2015

On-trend advice I do frequent photography related social media sites, forums etc. and quite often come across criticism, jibes and jokes levelled at judges. In the days before the Internet became prevalent, judges would be available to discuss any concerns with individuals face-to-face and generally, when the aggrieved person has had their say, you would part on friendly terms. Sadly the relative anonymity that exists online means that people can vent their anger or frustration without any fear of reprisal. As in life, trends come and go. It wasn’t that long ago that wide- angle, gritty black & white portraits of Eastern European farmers were very successful, these days misty long exposures of coastal subjects seem very popular. My advice to anyone who might be thinking of following a trend just to increase your chances of success, is be true to yourself. By all means absorb work of successful photographers, indeed I actively encourage it, but try and develop your own style. I hope I speak for all judges when I say that originality will always triumph!

been made by UK amateurs. This alone illustrates that the standard between amateur and professional photographers has reached parity. All about the light As a judge you’re relied upon to comment on every image no matter how good or bad it is. On the odd occasion that an image has given me pause for thought while judging I have either not understood the message or it has been so abstract that it was incomprehensible. Occasionally an image leaves you thinking ‘I wish I had made this!’ Once I was so taken aback with a breathtaking landscape made of a location that was dear to my heart that I bought the print! I often think if my commentary were ever recorded I’d constantly

hear myself repeating the phrase: ‘it’s all about the light!’ In my judgment this is one of the most common failings with competition images, together with over- sharpening. Compositional rules are there for a good reason; once learnt you are then in an ideal position to break them! In my experience, ‘ordinary snapshots’ are quite often the work of beginners. Dismissing such images can have a detrimental effect. I prefer to spend a moment and suggest techniques that would elevate it from being ordinary; vary your camera angle, creative use of depth-of-field and shutter speeds to name but a few. It’s easy to forget that we were all beginners once. Being a professional Photoshop user for nearly 25 years I have seen it all. I am of the opinion that filters should be used but not abused. So long as it adds something to the image, I am happy with any post- processing, even HDR! My pet hate is laziness, especially when it comes to set-subject competitions. Most club members will go to a lot of time and effort to fulfil the brief only for the odd person to trawl through their archives for an image that has a vague interpretation.

paulmitchellphotography.co.uk

My pet hate is laziness, especially when it comes to set-subject competitions

What do you think?

Have you seen a photographic judge at work who you’d like to see profiled in Photography News ? If so please drop us a line to opinion@photography- news.co.uk with the judge’s name and, if possible, their contact details.

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