AV News Magazine | Page 26

AV News 197 - August 2014 'A digital AV sequence is a series of still digital photographs projected onto a screen or viewed on a monitor and synchronised with sound. It need not be entirely limited to still photographs but can incorporate video clips and/or animation techniques where appropriate.' The PAGB has qualified this with 'the use of third party images, animations, video clips and other visual material, whilst not excluded, should be limited to 10%* of the photos.' (This figure of 10% is to be more fully discussed at the October meeting of the PAGB Executive Committee.) So an AV production submitted for a PAGB Award should predominantly consist of a sequence of still photographic images, the majority of such photographs being the original work of the entrant, together with an accompanying synchronised sound track. An AV sequence obviously includes many more pictures than are required for an APM in Single Image Photography so individual pictures cannot be expected to be universally of the same standard. However they must show photographic competence and even better at the higher levels. The future of APM in AV will depend on enthusiastic take up by Club members, including those primarily interested in what is known as 'Photo Harmony'. This will include club photographers whose primary skills are in stills photography but who wish to take on the additional challenge of presenting a large body of work accompanied by a suitable music soundtrack. It is hoped to attract those who have not applied previously for a CPAGB or a DPAGB and also those who already hold these distinctions but wish to test their capabilities in a different genre. Photo Harmony should demonstrate skill in the production and visual progression of still photographs linked to sound. Whilst the number of images in this category is not fixed, it is anticipated that entrants will seek to demonstrate a consistently high standard across roughly 50 to 150 images. The emphasis is on visual harmony in subject, colour, tone or graphic design. The aim is not to display a collection of single photographs which may be excellent when considered individually but rather a sequence of pictures which blend well with each other and with the sound chosen. Good technique is essential and it is expected that the sound and the pictures start and finish together and that the original ending of the music is preserved rather than an arbitrary fade out. Dates No adjudication date has been set but the PAGB will welcome expressions of interest in applications - please contact your Federation Awards Officer who will then inform the Awards Secretary, Leo Rich. A minimum of 10 applications is required on the day to make AV assessments viable. If sufficient potential applicants come forward in the next few months it will be possible to hold an awards day early in 2015. Page 24