AV News 196 - May 2014
Day two started with Howard asking why our hobby wasn't attracting more
newcomers, to this I ask the question, “are we accommodating them?”
35 sequences were entered, and as wine connoisseurs would say, there were
only two types, GOOD ONES and BETTER ONES. But my main concern was
that the outcome was a bit predictable, the winning sequence was certainly very
good, but having had success at National and International level recently, the
judges were more or less obliged to select it as the winner. The choice of judges
is also pretty limited, experience and the willingness to take on the job restricts
the organisers selection, but it did prompt a remark from one person who said
"It's becoming too cosy".
Coming back to Howard's question, "How do we attract new members?", my
thoughts on the subject are:
1. Should sequences that have had success at National and International level
be eligible for Regional Competitions?
2. Most camera clubs have Advanced and Intermediate photographers, and
their competitions accommodate both categories, could we not
accommodate Advanced & Intermediate AV'rs at Regional level?
3. Attending Regional Meetings, the first session is usually allocated to
attendees sequences, indeed on the past two occasions at my Regional
Meeting, they've run over into session two, so there's plenty of interest.
Invariably the majority of the sequences are of the ‘Photo Harmony’ type, so
what, everyone has to start somewhere. Why don't we accommodate them?
If the attendance/entries at the National AV Championships is anything to go by
then it's pretty obvious the current format isn't working and a change is due. And
finally we wish the ‘Great Northern Festival’ every success for the future, in
whatever form, or location it finds itself.
F u tu re G re a t N o rth e rn ’s
Andrew N. Gagg FRPS
A most interesting and informative day on Saturday – it seems certain that the
Great Northern will reincarnate into something special again, but I guess it
won’t be the same as it has been at the Wilmslow Guild – for how many years
now? With this ‘rebirth’ in mind, and after further thought, I’d like to add to the
comment I made on my questionnaire, where I asked for a critique from the
judges on all competition entries. This idea is part of my deeply-held philosophy
regarding competitions – whenever I judge, be it prints, projected images or
AV, I feel that the true value of entering a competition is not in coming away
with a pot or a certificate, but in having learned something about the way others
perceive the work – completing, if you like, the essential triangle of the artist,
the work of art and the viewer.
I want now to add to this by suggesting that the entries be judged
beforehand, (e.g. CEMRIAC at Smethwick) so that they can be evaluated ‘in
tranquillity’ so to speak. I know from bitter experience (I allowed it to happen
only once) what the pressure of a whole evening’s sequences (never mind a
whole day!) can do to one’s ability to remain objective.
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