AV News 200 - May 2015
Surely the very experienced judges on the day would mark down sequences
with poor photography but is it not also fair to not give any marks for the
photography side if the images are by someone else. I agree with historical
stories such as WW1, old pictures have to be used, but surely some images
taken of relevant events happening today could be also used and these could
be taken by the author. It seems as if AV is losing its way if someone can
produce a winning sequence without ever holding a camera or moving from
a seat in front of a computer!
In summary I thoroughly enjoyed the event, I loved being there to sit and
just enjoy and socialize with a lovely group of friendly people, seeing some
amazing AV work, admiring the dedication and enthusiasm of all especially
those who put in so much work to make this a weekend to remember.
Sian - I thoroughly enjoyed the two days, saw some good photography, made
new friends and had good food. Not one of the entries that I thought had good
photography, complementary music and was interesting, had an award.
I am very disillusioned as to what makes a good AV. Do you use other
people's images ad hoc, if so why? To me, an AV should tell a story using
your own images and your choice of music. BUT who am I to judge. I am a
photographer.
Margaret’s and Sian’s thoughts on Photography and AV make interesting
reading. They are coming into it as ‘a single image Photographer’ and
therefore naturally place a greater emphasis on that aspect. Most
‘photographers’ question the use of other people’s images, yet never give a
thought to the music, which is almost always composed & performed by
someone else, but they seem happy to accept that fact.
But those of us who are ‘AV’ers’ by heart rather than ‘a Photographer’
hopefully realise that it is the concept and production that is the most
important aspect of an AV. If you need to use other people’s images (with
permission of course) to enable you to tell the story then so be it. The images
themselves are only one small part of the whole. The actual ‘imagery’ is more
important than each individual picture.
An AV worker is a ‘story teller’ be that story factual, emotional, humorous
or a complete work of fiction. The whole is much greater than the sum of it’s
parts. Yes use as many of your own images as possible, but if you are unable
to photograph an event, be it in the past or somewhere you physically cannot
get to, then if someone else can take those images & you have their
permission to use them, then do so. If you are also able to compose and
perform your own music then so much the better.
It is the overall impact and message of a sequence that will make it an
award winner. Yes the photography must be good, bad photography will
stand out like a sore thumb! The music/sounds must be complimentary and
enhance the overall effect. The production must be flawless and any effects
used should blend seamlessly and almost go unnoticed. But it is the message
and emotion in a sequence that will lift it above others with similar good
technical skills. ED’s
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