Exhibitions

I had the opportunity to visit three exhibitions today, two of which were in the same building and one located not too far distant.

Creative Group    Royal Photographic Society

The exhibition was presented in a large room offering adequate space to view the images and, although could have been better, the lighting was acceptable. There were offerings from roughly 20 photographers so there was a wide variety both in the standards seen and also in subject matter.

The Creative Group of the Royal Photographic Society offers, on the RPS website, the following explanation of its purpose:

Our aim is to encourage the development of photography as a means of expression and as a vehicle for the author to make a personal photographic statement.

Many types of photography can be creative. Classifications such as landscape, nature, portrait or derivative can all be areas of personal expression in which the photographer seeks to stimulate the imagination and arouse the emotions of the viewer. The medium can be print or projected image, monochrome or colour, for it is the personal input of the photographer which makes the description as creative appropriate.

The techniques which the photographer employs to add creativity can vary but will normally include

• choice of location
• choice of view
• choice of season
• choice of composition
• choice of lighting at the scene
• choice of timing to take the exposure
• choice of post-capture treatment

You certainly do not have to employ derivative or manipulative techniques to be creative.

It could be argued from this that any image could be classified as 'Creative' providing the photographer states that it is so. Such a wide definition would explain the wide diversity of images from the very ordinary to the slightly bizarre that were on display. Imagination was not apparent in a number of the images and it has to be said that the quality was variable from poor to excellent. It was difficult in some cases to have any other emotion other than surprise that the photographer thought the image was worth placing in an exhibition. Without denigrating the work presented at Camera Clubs I found it difficult to believe that a lot of the work shown would be judged as having any merit in a club competition.

That being said there were some jewels amongst the dross that met, for me, the stated criteria of an image being 'creative'. These did evoke an emotion in this viewer but not always the one that the photographer probably was aiming for.

Overall a disappointing visit.

Monochrome Group Suffolk

In an adjacent room to the above exhibition was one presented by the Suffolk Monochrome Group. The Group, which is limited to a maximum of 12 members, aims to promote the use of monochrome amongst its members and to exhibit the work.

I was fortunate to attend the very first exhibition of the Group and it has to be said that there is a marked difference between the quality of the presentation on that occasion and what is shown this year. The quality of prints this year is very high and the subject matter treated sympathetically in the tonal range used. None were ordinary and although there were some that I did not like this was a matter of personal taste rather than anything technically wrong.

There was much to be admired and learn from this exhibition.

The third exhibition was held in Blickling Hall a National Trust Property in Norfolk. Presented by three photographers there was no apparent theme running through all parts so the viewer was required to pause awhile as he/she moved around the exhibition space. It may have been this need that led to a feeling of images jarring as one moved around.

Part of the exhibition was devoted to images of butterflies and was a massive disappointment. The framing was heavy and dominated the image; the subject matter was presented in such vivid colours as to offer a sense of the unreal and to make the butterflies seem to be heavy and incapable of either beauty or flight. I have to say that I was very fortunate to belong to the Norfolk Photography Group for some time and amongst its members were nature/wildlife photographers of the very highest order whose images were simply breathtaking. It is inevitable that any other images in the same genre are judged in my mind using those that I knew before and these were sadly lacking.

The second photographer presented a mix of images and a variety of techniques. The result was a feeling of confusion. Here was a case of so many was too much. Halving the number shown and better thought given to how the remainder were grouped would hav presented a more coherent feel and allow the viewer to experience the feelings suggested by the photographer.

The third photographer's offerings were good but left me unexcited. I do not blame the photographer for this reaction but is a result of trying to cram too much into a relatively short period of time. I have noticed on previous occasions that there comes a point when the shear  volume of images becomes overwhelming. Unfortunately, unlike wine tasters, the viewer cannot 'spit' out the memories and one's senses become sated.

he group was founded in 2009 to foster the appreciation of monochrome photography and to encourage the development of this branch of photographic art within the 'Group' membership.  Members approach to monochrome includes traditional darkroom, digital capture and infra-red in both film and digital.  Membership is by invitation with numbers limited to 12.  The Group exhibits regularly in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk.he group was founded in 2009 to foster the appreciation of monochrome photography and to encourage the development of this branch of photographic art within the 'Group' membership.  Members approach to monochrome includes traditional darkroom, digital capture and infra-red in both film and digital.  Membership is by invitation with numbers limited to 12.  The Group exhibits regular