Opinion
11
BEFORE THE JUDGE Glyn Edmunds Each issue, a respected judge or exhibition selector shares their thoughts and experiences. This month, we hear fromGlyn Edmunds
MEET THE JUDGE Glyn Edmunds: Glyn first got involved in photography in 1986 and after initially not showing an interest in judging, he’s now travelled the world with his Home club: Chichester Camera Club Years in photography: 28 Favourite camera: Lomography Fisheye Favourite lens: Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit (for 1986 M6) Favourite photographers: Many members of both the Arena Group and the London Salon. The former hold their next inspirational, weekend seminar 13 to 15 March 2015. Check out www. arenaphotographers. com. Favourite photographic subjects: Street, figure and travel. Awardswon: More than 100, plus 1500 acceptances in FIAP and PSA approved salons around the globe since getting started in 1989. Distinctions gained: ABIPP, AMPA, APAGB, APSA, ARPS, DPAGB, EFIAP/s and EPSA hobby, judging at international exhibitions.
Words by Glyn Edmunds
Why offer to judge in the first place? It is anhonour and a privilege to be invited to assess other people’s photography and it’s an opportunity to give something back
Every photographer’s story is unique. In my own case I was a happy snapper when I met my long-term partner, now wife, Jean Brooks EFIAP/b back in 1986. We first got involved in the club world the following year. I always said that I would never judge, but after a couple of seasons – inspired by the good guys and horrified by the bad – I felt that I should give it a go. We all whinge about judges and judging, but unless we move to letting the computers assess our images as well as capture and print them there will always be a need for more and better judges. I’m passionate about the fact that photographic judges at whatever level should be competent and practising photographers – and preferably those who support the international circuit and visit exhibitions of photography and other branches of the visual arts. We can all relate to the club judge who does not appear to have taken a decent image in the last 30 years and yet still feels that he (sadly it is too often a ‘he’) is qualified to critique our pictures. It’s not a common approach, but whenever I’m asked to judge I always show a few of my own images first. This is not intended as a diversion from the main part of the evening but to provide an insight into my photography and to show I’ma current photographer. Judging should always be positive and encouraging with constructive advice where obvious flaws are present. Most of us are aware of the scenario where a newish member of a club puts in a few images for assessment only to come across a judge who views destructive appraisals as a spectator sport. Often such a member abandons club photography never to be seen again. In such cases it is the judge, not the entrant, who should leave.
international are barred. Great to encourage relative newcomers to competitive photography and the standard was very good. The prints were displayed as an exhibition and each of the three judges independently viewed and marked the images. Irish hospitality is legendary, so it is always great to be invited back to the Emerald Isle. Why offer to judge in the first place? It is an honour and a privilege to be invited to assess other people’s photography and it’s an opportunity to give something back to a hobby which has given me so much pleasure over the years – and you do get the best view of all the images that are presented.
It’s not a regular occurrence, but I can recall a number of occasions where I’ve given the top mark in the beginners’ section to a striking image featuring obvious technical problems. I’ll reference the problems but explain that if you can’t ‘see’ a picture, that is something very difficult to teach. Technical shortcomings are much easier to rectify. There are very clear guidelines in the PAGB handbook on booking lecturers and judges, which most clubs follow. Sadly there seems to be an increasing number of clubs whomiss out some of the essentials like providing clear directions to get to the venue and a mobile phone number for emergencies on the night (which should be switched on). Judging and lecturing has taken us west to Phoenix, Arizona, north to Edinburgh and south to Johannesburg, the latter for the five-day annual conference of the PSSA (Photographic Society of Southern Africa). They had generous sponsorship so four European photographers were flown in. One of our highlights of 2014 was a return visit to Dublin to select a competition for the Irish Photographic Federation (IPF). This time it was the National Shield Competition which has very interesting entry requirements. Clubs are invited to send in a panel of eight colour and/or eight mono prints. Photographers with any letters after their name or more than a handful of acceptances in any
π To find out more, go to www.glynedmundsphotography.co.uk.
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. What do you think?
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Issue 16 | Photography News
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