14
Opinion
BEFORE THE JUDGE AndrewPerry Each issue, a respected judge or exhibition selector shares their thoughts and experiences with us. This month, Andrew Perry educates, informs and entertains
MEET THE JUDGE
at the end – I do not repeat my previous comments but I may explain their qualities. This enables me to finalise the marking and creates an enjoyable sense of anticipation with an uplifting end to the session. The interval is an important time for club members to meet and chat, but not a rest period for the judge! It is a time to receive expenses, gulp a drink and to study images for the second half. I refer to the great photographers – especially portraitists and landscapists and the timing skills of Cartier–Bresson, ‘dropping’ names that newer photographers can seek out and learn from. I refer to the way the human eye/brain interprets still images and how skilled photographers can design an image to control the way that it is viewed. I refer to the RPS method of assessing natural history images… and my own criteria. I make the odd little joke or anecdote – but never at the expense of the competitor. For less inspiring images I issue gentle challenges, encouraging the entrant to explore and communicate their interest in the subject. Success for me is measured by those who thank me for inspiration or encouragement. I believe that marks should be used as awards, never penalties – I don’t mark harshly. A great judge once advised me: Before you speak – consider that the image might be the first or last that the photographer has entered. When pointing out a shortcoming, use the ‘kiss-slap-kiss’ approach. Use humour but never against a person or image. Never make comments that could discourage. It occurs to me that judges are invited to return because members enjoyed their last visit. We should always judge with compassion, to inform and inspire, but we must also entertain, and, of course, keep to time – no one likes an evening to overrun. Judges drive miles on unknown roads for inadequate expenses through cold, dark, rainy The invitation is not confirmed, the original contact’s email is out of date. No one rings. The venue and time haven’t been advised and the website is down. You drive 50 rush-hour miles in the dark and in bad weather to find there is no parking place and no one from the club has arrived. You sit quietly, club members arrive – they ignore you. The chairman is late, or absent; there is no deputy. The competition secretary has been replaced by a novice who tries to tell you how to assess images. His attitude is, as if the judge is being ‘employed’, rather than invited as a guest. You ask how many images – there’s either less than 20 or over 100. No one knows how to assemble the easel, and the projectionist cannot work the laptop. You ask about timings, only to be told that they must start at 7.30pm (usually at 7.45pm) and that they must be out of the room by 10pm or pay extra. The chairman starts with parish notices and you find yourself in an ad hoc committee meeting/argument. Images arrive ten minutes after the competition starts. The putter-up and down is a deaf centenarian.
Words by Andrew Perry
AndrewPerry: Andrew took up
My photography started in 1983, when illness restricted my musical pursuits. My company had an unused darkroom enabling me to teach myself – and others – and accumulate a considerable portfolio. I joined two local camera clubs serving as exhibition secretary and chairman, instigated my company’s camera club, and attended many seminars and workshops. I perceived that many judged club competitions as to ‘what they liked’ rather than helping and encouraging competitors. The silver-haired chaps in my clubs had a wealth of knowledge and a willingness to share – they became my mentors. I was encouraged by club members to become a judge, but I resisted until achieving my ARPS in 1989. Over the years I have sought to judge positively and sympathetically, regardless of my preferred subject matter, format, style or quality. In the ’90s many clubs experienced reducing numbersand itseemedtomethat itwasduetopoorly presented talks and sombre, often discouraging competitions. I saw a need to combine information and encouragement with entertainment. Clubs are now healthier but the need for stimulating talks and enjoyable competitions continues. The skills of a good judge are manifold: he/she needs the skill base of a teacher, psychologist, rally driver and to be as expert in improvisation as a stand-up comedian or jazz musician. A head revolving 360° to assess images whilst presenting to the audience also helps! I aim to arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start. I clarify timings, entry numbers and marking requirements and try to view print entries and PDIs, preferably without interruption. This enables me to assess the overall level and to begin determining entries needing advice and those meriting commendation. I befriend the print ‘putters-up and down’ and the projectionist. Once introduced, I greet the club with humour and a short anecdote about how such evenings are for members to share images with colleagues and that my input is incidental. This sets the tone and relaxes the audience. Lord Reith’s BBC ethos – “to educate, inform and entertain” – is my yardstick. The judge’s duty is not merely to mark, but to encourage, inspire, stimulate and commend as appropriate, but also to conduct an informative, rewarding and entertaining evening. I need to assess technical merit, design, storytelling, mood and impact within a few seconds with the initial preview, addingmore detail during the judging. I comment on all images, marking most on first viewing, holding back others for final marking
photography in 1983 when illness ended his musical activities (for a period; he’s since returned to the stage). He began judging and giving talks in 1989. Home club: I no longer attend a club, but am a past member of Chichester Camera Club, Bognor Regis and the IBM (South Hants) Camera Club. Years in photography: 31 Favourite camera: My old Canon F1nAE Favourite lens: My old Canon 15mm, 17mm, 24mm, 50mm, 90mm and 135mm primes. Never used a zoom lens Favourite photo accessory: A beloved Billingham bag Favourite subject or technique: Not the subject, the mood and/or the story. I want to be drawn into the image, and involved. I enjoy images that captivate, rather than capture a subject. Favourite photographers: Well for inspiration – Henri Cartier-Bresson, Franco Fontana, Ralph Gibson, Eugene Smith, Robert Frank, Brassaï, Kertesz, Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, Arthur Rothstein, Nick Sinclair Awardswon: I gained my ARPS in 1989 and won my FIAP Gold medal in 1995.
nights to do this. We don’t get ‘paid’ and we aren’t employed by clubs: we are guests and should be treated, and act, as such. A well-organised club makes matters much easier for the judge to deliver the best possible performance. We do it out of commitment to the photographic community and because we enjoy viewing images. Our most rewarding compensation is thanks from members and a well thought-out Vote of Thanks from the chairman (or nominate) reiterating cogent pointsmade by the judge – and not his own opinions!
π To find out more about Andrew’s judging or talks, email andrew@andrewperry.plus.com.
This is the judge’s nightmare and I’ve experienced it all The judge’s nightmare
You have to use a head or hand mic (grrrr!) when there are only 20 people in the room. The PA is poorly set – no one knows how to balance the sound. The tea break over-runs by 20 minutes, you are not offered a drink and the raffle takes another 20 minutes. You cannot view the next batch of PDIs as the projectionist has gone outside for a smoke. The treasurer is either absent or does not approach you – you have to ask! You are paid grudgingly in coins. Halfway through the next 50 images the chairman announces loudly that time is running out – even though you are carefully monitoring your own progress. You have worked to finish by 9.45 to enable the Vote of Thanks (VOT) and close, and then you are asked to sign and present certificates of merit, and to name the best image in every class and group. There is either no VOT or the chairman shows no notion of how to give one – with the worst possible insult, ‘thanks for coming’! Your journey home is blocked by floods requiring a 20-mile detour. And yet we still do it!
The skill base of a teacher, psychologist, rallydriver and to be as expert in improvisation as a stand-up
Photography News | Issue 9
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