There have admittedly been a handful of improvements in photo technology since the camera was invented a few centuries ago. For instance, you no longer need a trailer and team of oxen to move one around, and flash bulbs don’t make that sweet poofing sound anymore. Instead, everyone has a tiny camera in their pocket and social media is flooded with countless images of babies and cats and proms and baby cat proms. How does the old saying go? A picture is worth 140 characters? (#somethinglikethat.)
But what of those dedicated amateur photographers committed to snapping a finely-crafted image for the love of the art form? Surely the Beastie Boys aren’t the only ones left with a sure shot.
Indeed they aren’t. Enter the Greater Concord Photography Club, a group of enthusiastic amateur shutterbugs who meet once a month and constructively critique each other’s work, offering insight and tips in a casual and friendly atmosphere. And the quality of the work is strong – camera-phone selfies need not apply.
The group began meeting early in 2013 when Brett Walker decided to organize an initiative following the conclusion of a photography class at Concord High School. That group was structured similarly and offered valuable advice, and Walker didn’t want to let it die.
“There are other camera clubs around, but none in Concord. There were five or six of us that came out of that photography class, and we all felt like we got quite a lot out of that format,” Walker said. “It’s definitely collaborative. One thing we say at almost every meeting is the good thing about art is there is no right answer, there’s a lot of right answers. We don’t always agree on a particular photograph, but the nice thing is we can look at a single image and come up with several right answers.”
The group meets on the first Monday of each month on the lower level of the Kimball Jenkins School of Art, where members share four images and receive detailed critiques from fellow enthusiasts. Though the meetings are only a few months old, between 12 and 15 people are turning out at each one, Walker said, and a total of about 25 people are on the official email list.
Subject matter is entirely up to the photographer and ranges widely, as do the ages of the members, with some in their 20s and others in their 60s. There are a handful of areas of expertise represented, from nature photography to city scenes to modeled shots, and the critiques are delivered with a sensitivity that isn’t often found in photo clubs, Walker said, as others he’s attended have been more ruthless.
“The idea is to get constructive criticism for everyone to improve their photos. If you love it, by all means tell us, but tell us why, and if you don’t like something, tell us why, as well,” Walker said. “It’s a pretty friendly group. Not everyone gets positive feedback on every picture, but it’s all meant with good intentions. There are no hard feelings.”
Group members are asked to submit four photos via email prior to the meetings, and each photo is shown on a projector in front of the group, but members are also encouraged to bring laptops or tablets, as well, so they can see the images online in order to better appreciate the colors and definition. The group has considered altering the format in the future and perhaps having everyone bring at least one image from the same topic or category and three others of their choice, but nothing has been decided officially. The group is “developing as we go,” Walker said.
So are the photographers. Walker has been shooting pictures as a hobby for a long time and has worked as part of a cooperative study in Manchester, but he said he’s seen noticeable improvement in his work since the group began meeting.
“It’s very eye-opening,” Walker said. “It’s good for validation because it’s nice to have people say nice things about your photographs, but it’s also good in that you might have a good photograph but you might not see (certain) things. I know my photography has improved since starting this whole process. I see stuff through the lens that I might have never seen in the past, because people pick stuff up in your photographs that you don’t necessarily see. I think we’ve all progressed from the criticism we’ve gotten.”
Which is precisely what Walker was hoping to see when he conceived the group earlier this year.
“I feel really good about getting a group started and encouraging other photographers to expand and explore their art and their craft,” Walker said.
Those interested in joining should contact Walker at bwalkerphotography@gmail.com. There is also more information available on Facebook by searching the Greater Concord Photography Club or by visiting concordphotoclub.org. There will be no July meeting because of the July 4 holiday, so the next gathering will be the first Monday in August.
