WINNERS and LOSERS

 Each month at the meeting of the Photographic Society of Vineland, we have a competition among our members. We've been able to use ZOOM during the pandemic. The talent our club members have is varied. Some of them are professional photographers, and some may be learning their camera settings and the difference between shutter speed and aperature.

I was a member for a full year before I would submit to the competition, I felt so intimidated by the quality of their work.  One of the advantages of participating in the competition is receiving critiques from the judges and other members.  I could learn from the judging of my fellow members' pictures, but when my work was on the screen, well, it felt like more was on the line.

Many of us are "attached" to our work and it can be difficult to have the needed corrections pointed out.  If can feel more problematic to delete some. Why save blurry pictures?  

  Some of the judges do reflect on what is good about an image, even if it did not win.  The bottom line is that, "If I like the picture, that is what is important."

Someone said that the only time we fail, is when we do not learn from our mistakes.  Making errors can actually be good. If there is no room for improvement, what's the point?

We had been awarding ribbons for the wins, and earning points toward various awards. Not only are the ribbons included for points, but also things like attending our meetings, serving on the board, presenting a workshop to the membership, and participating in competitions held by other clubs or organizations.

It took a while, but I received the gold award in 2018.   Rather than write more, I thought I would let some of my winning shots, speak for them selves. Enjoy!  and don't forget, there really are no losers, when we learn.

Finding Hope with your Camera

    A dear friend died in November 2009. He was 84, and suffered with cancer. None the less, when he passed, his longevity did not soothe my grief.  I was raised in the Christian faith that teaches of the resurrection and life ever lasting. At times, like St. Thomas, I want more concrete proof.

     

   A few days after the funeral, I went into our backyard. There was a light snow the previous night, making everything look like it needed a good dusting.  Something red, in what had been our flower bed, beguiled me.  Upon closer examination, I discovered a rose, sprinkled with snow, blooming in November! I am convinced it was sent as a message of reassurance that my friend was in a better place, and that I could join him in the years to come.  I was able to capture a picture of it which I can look at over and over when doubts jab at me. 

   That rose expressed so much, and it was not even a particularly, spectacular bloom.

But for November in New Jersey, I did not expect to see any flowers, let alone a rose!

What other images express hope or a lack of it?

Look at these. what you think and/or feel?   

 

   Photographers are known for capturing a story, for freezing a memory forever. Common photo ops are celebrations and vacations.  Photographers not only want to record, but to evoke. What emotion do you feel while pressing the shutter?  What do you want                                                                                                                        those viewing it to feel?

         We make assumptions, no?  Are all "street people" without hope? 
 Do those with wealth have no need of hope?  Is it possible to capture things not readily visible on a camera?  Of course, many see beauty and feel awe, maybe a sense of peace and calm.  Think about the media--newspapers, and magazines. What emotions do you think those producing them, want to elicit?  All is not peaches and cream, nor should it be.

    Hope is not wishful thinking.  It is active, while the latter is passive.  When I have hope, I act accordingly.  Those who developed vaccines to fight Covid 19 had hope. So did Bezos and his flight crew in their recent blast off into outer space.  My family finally includes a grandchild, and she brought us great hope--hope for her happiness, hope that she may, in some way, make the world a better place.  When I think of her, I can't help smiling.

      What other  photo subjects might help folks to express hope?  Check out  these images. Most of these things make me think of hope.

 

  

What shots would you include in your file about hope?  What other emotions do you want to focus on with your camera?

Hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?

Romans 8:24