I don't belong to any camera clubs etc. so last year's photo competition was the first one I had entered, and we didn't have critique from the people running the course. This year we did. Members of Bob's club are used to it. I'm sure I'm not alone in not having faced this. He didn't know whose photos he was commenting on, but could easily identify two of mine - "A creature that scurries" (couldn't bring himself to say RAT) in the"Pets" class, and a montage. I agree that my montage was far too crowded, and that it would have been better if I had entered the original montage of the arboretum only. As you know, like my mentor, Kev, I do a variety of styles. However, I cannot agree that all montages should be done using a Microsoft program which, as far as I could make out, forces you into using a set format!
There was also a lot of discussion as to how much water, sky etc. disqualifies something from being 'a landscape/'
He also criticised everyone's printers which had not been calibrated, and said that we should either use calibrated printers or have them professionally printed. We can't all afford it!
I found his manner really destructive and discouraging. Actually my "creature that scurries" won joint third in the category as voted by the course members.
Is this the normal way of handling a competition.
There was also a lot of discussion as to how much water, sky etc. disqualifies something from being 'a landscape/'
He also criticised everyone's printers which had not been calibrated, and said that we should either use calibrated printers or have them professionally printed. We can't all afford it!
I found his manner really destructive and discouraging. Actually my "creature that scurries" won joint third in the category as voted by the course members.
Is this the normal way of handling a competition.