Join us at 7PM on Thursday February 4 at the Severna Park Baptist Church for a Photo Talk Night.

The objective of Photo Talk Night is to discuss club members photographs that they are working on for which they are seeking a bit of feedback, including critical comments and suggestions for ways to tackle the image. No brutal takedowns are acceptable. It is an honest and friendly conversation with an opportunity to be creative and encouraging to our colleagues. This is not supposed to be a high and mighty “Critique,” it’s a conversation. The goal is for everyone to leave at the end of the night feeling they learned something.

There will be a Talk Leader who cues up the photographs and asks the respective photographers to tell the story of the photo—where, when, how it was taken. The Talk Leader will also ask the photographer to talk about what they wanted to accomplish with the photo and what features of the photo they have emphasized or worked to accomplish their goal. What did they want the viewer to see and maybe feel when viewing the photo?

Discussion will involve club members asking questions about the photo—What about the light? What did you need to change in the photo to accomplish your goal or your vision for the photo? The discussion can include observations on why the photo works or not and what gets in the way of the photo’s impact or message or what makes it work or what can make it work better? The conversation can be a lengthy one, or it can be a few comments.

When the Talk Leader sees the conversation is done, they will cue up the next photo. It is not the Talk Leader’s job to make all the comments or provide critique—only to encourage and facilitate discussion. The Talk Leader should not exercise expert advice. We are all colleagues.