Perhaps the most interesting aspect of my photographic journey is that I'm never completely sure of how things will turn out. I founded the Paris Photo Collective in 2019. About a month ago, I walked away from it.
.jpg)
I don't feel any direct animosity towards the members of the group. I have always maintained that the group's direction and reason for existence should always be dictated by the group itself. Perhaps I've been wrong in that approach. Although I offered up the position of administrator of the group on a regular basis, no one else seemed to want to take it on. So without a clear direction for the group to follow, it has stagnated. It really has become nothing more than a social club with a lackluster bi-weekly photo contest.
Can we get past the smug sophomoric approach to photography which dictates that "I like my pictures and that's all that matters." I think that it's the second part of that statement that irritates the most. I mean, if you don't care how your images are perceived by others, why are you part of a photo group?
Perhaps even more irritating is the statement "I don't look at other people's pictures." Why? Are you afraid you might learn something? The acknowledgement of others' work as significant does not diminish the potential for one's own work to be considered valid or even great.
Furthermore, whenever I have proposed any educational aspect to the meetings, perhaps bringing in a guest speaker or when I have offered to teach a little about basic camera controls, the ideas have been met with vehement opposition. It would appear that I headed up a group that had no interest in expanding their skills or knowledge base.
I want to talk with photographers who want to expand their potential within this medium. I truly want to see their vision. I have been making photographs for over 57 years and I still want to learn more about the craft. Someday I hope to get good at it!
If I am to be a member of a photographic group, I want it to be a group that wants better! That's all.
.jpeg)
...more later
.
I was a Member years ago when I lived in Brantford, 2018, 2019, and attended the meetings. I have continued to be a at distance, [Simcoe], and always enjoyed the Pictures You shared, and they were always the Top of The Group in all qualities of the Artistry. The rendition of the subject by Fuji bodies are excellent, and the final results of the posted photography was based on the expertise of the Artist behind the Glass. I understand Your comments about the Group and I concur that stagnation and self absorbing pleasure of some of the Members of the Group, are disheartening and show they think they are worthy of SELF LOVE, and expression from other that please them. We should always be open to comments and the improvement of our Artistic Endeavors going into the future. No one wants to try and improve a group, that is unable to recognize the new skills that can be gained by an open mind, ready to advance from the knowledge of others.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response Neal. Like I said in the blog, I feel no animosity towards anyone in the group. I just felt a lack of inspiration within the group and want to take my photography in a different direction.
DeleteWow Gord, sorry you feel the way. I don't think anybody in the group suspected you felt that way.
ReplyDeleteYou wrote that you don't feel anyone animosity towards the group. Really? Maybe frustration.
Sounds like you want change, and a different direction for the group. Maybe , now that you've made it known how you feel, the group can be steered in that direction??
Hi Ken. Thanks for responding. I stand by my statement that I don't feel any animosity towards anyone in the group. However I think you touched on something when you mentioned frustration. What I'm seeing in the group now are boring snapshots to satisfy the requirements of a bi-weekly photo challenge. The pictures are pretty lackluster and really don't reflect the capabilities of any of the group members. Not to sound arrogant, but anyone can make a snapshot. In the words of photographer Justin Mott, "Congratulations. You proved to me it exists!"
ReplyDeleteI want to do photography that projects an idea, mood or emotion. I firmly believe that art is the communication of concepts. I want to pursue the craft in that way. I've always thought that the group has the potential to be more than a just small town camera club. However, as I said in the blog post, any changes that I've suggested are usually rejected. Time to move on.