Moving beyond technical discussion can be very difficult. In fact technical discussion for some images may be vitally important. But for many, who have mastered the basic skills of photography, technique will continue to be something which evolves but it really shouldn’t define photographs. If technique were so important then the people with the best equipment would stand a better chance of taking the best photographs; but we know that isn’t the case. If technique mattered so much then simply learning it would transform our images overnight; again that doesn’t happen. In fact I would argue that many of the photographs that I have seen which mattered, which meant something, which stand out in my mind have had a very limited relationship with the technical aspects of photography.

So how do we review work beyond the technical? For learners on my courses the starting point is probably intention. “What were they trying to take?”. In fact I would exchange the word take with say or show. I may even substitute the “what”  sentence, since it often implies a single, physical subject with “what emotion/idea/concept/thought are you trying to convey/speak with this photograph?” I am not suggesting that every photograph, every piece of work has some grand narrative or huge sense of importance to everyone. I am simply asking what the aim was the moment before the camera was taken out of the bag. What did you, the photographer, want to say? What was it that you were so driven by, so motivated that you bothered to get the camera from the bag, take the lens cap off, switch it on and press the shutter. What made you go to all this effort? If we can identify this first step we can begin to approach review by assessing whether the photographer’s intention was actually met. Did the resulting photograph do what the photographer hoped it would do before they actually pressed the shutter? From an education point of view this means we have an aim, something partially measurable, we can gauge whether the photograph met the photographer’s objective. We can also ask whether the viewer, given the knowledge of what the photographer intended, agrees that the outcome reflects the intentions. This is only part of the journey of reviewing work. But it works to begin the discussion.

I never ceased to be amazed by how many different interpretations of exactly the same brief I see week after week in my classes. Everyone sees the world and reads the brief in a slightly different way. So even though my assignments for my learners are identical, the photographs I see in response to them are not. Therefore if the assignment is the intention how can eight different interpretations be correct? If I wanted to take the easy route I’d elect to judge by technique but, as I’ve said, this only has limited value in improving photographs. The next step is therefore to understand how the photographer read the brief, how they imagined the images they would take. This begins to articulate expression and creativity in a new way, a personal way. But understanding the photographer’s intention is really only one part of this process. In looking at the image as a viewer, I too have a response, an input into creating the meaning of the image. So this is where resorting to photographic technique is easy. It cannot be questioned. We can all see, the image is out of focus, underexposed, not following the rules of thirds etc. These are things which can be proven, demonstrated by looking at the photograph and pointing to the faults it contains. Review must go beyond this, it must extend our understanding of the photograph and what it depicts. Review must articulate something that can be built upon, evolved and modified.

In light of the above I’d be more than happy to review any photographer’s work if they are interested. Drop me an email with a link!

If you’re interested in coming then the club meets at 19:30 at the its new venue of ‘the “Rifle Club” which is next to the football pitch and just before the brewery large pink building’ so I’m told! The post-code is PL26 4BZ or PL26 4BH depending on where you are coming from, apparently!

Anyway, I hope it will be an interesting evening for everyone.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Since the course doesn’t lead to a qualification it’s quite a relaxed program of learning (sort of education speak meaning that you’re not assessed to pass or fail the course). This means that the course is very much tailored around what the learners want to understand. After this course, if you still wanted to study more Cornwall Adult Education offers qualification courses from a City and Guilds Level 1 to an NCFE Level 2 in photography which I teach at Liskeard as well.

Interested in the above? There are some places still a available. The best thing is to call  0300 1231 117 or look at http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=2112 or email me on enquiries@johnhillman.co.uk . Look forward to seeing you on one of my courses.

I will of course get round to doing those parts of the site. In the meantime I’ve enabled comments on the posts and added the social media buttons just to see what effect (if any) they will have on my site and on the content I eventually place on here. This year I intend to begin posting tutorials based on my photography courses so that I can share some of the things I teach. I’ll also focus a bit more on the technical aspects of photography and the theoretical work which I’m also interested in.

So for the first time, I can say please feel free to add your comments, tell me what you think of the site, share, link, tweet or do what ever you feel compelled to do and I in turn will let you know whether it changes my life or at least my website in the near future.

You can email me  if you want more details or contact Cornwall Adult Education directly on 0800 1231 117 or look at http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=2112 . Email me on enquiries@johnhillman.co.uk if you have specific questions about the course content. I look forward to seeing you on one of my photographic courses.

Best of all the admission is free!

Each came to the group with their own previous experiences, various levels skills and expectations, and over a period of six months, learnt a vast amount and were able to put this new found knowledge into practice and to create the various images on display.

Some of these images are from the final selection of their course portfolio (a group of twelve images within a theme of their choice); Cornish landscapes, portraits and close-ups of flowers and animals. Other images have been selected by the photographers, to portray their own individuality and the new directions that they have taken in their ‘journey’ since the end of the course.

For further information about future Photography Courses, please contact: Cornwall Adult Education Department at Laity House, Liskeard. (Tel No: 01579 345384)

Here’s some photographs of the setting up of the exhibition:

I’ve been so busy this year that I’ve had less time to focus on the website and update the images but I have added some more portraits to the portraiture section. I hope early next year to update all the portfolios with the commerical photography I’ve undertaken for these new clients. I’m also going to be adding a tutorial section which will be based around some of the lessons I deliver on my photography classes throughout Cornwall and also on my experiences working as a professional commercial photographer.

The package includes hotel accommodation, four-course dinner and coffee, full English breakfast and three days practical photography guidance. When you’re tired of looking through the viewfinder there’s always the unlimited golf, swimming, sauna, outdoor hot tub, tennis and snooker to keep you occupied. The course costs £525 per person in a standard room and £590 per person in a superior room for five nights from Sunday 11th until Friday 16th March 2012.

Full details are available via the Budock Vean Hotel website.

Since the course doesn’t lead to a qualification it’s quite a relaxed program of learning (sort of education speak meaning that you’re not assessed to pass or fail the course). This means that the course is very much tailored around what the learners want to understand. After this course, if you still wanted to study more Cornwall Adult Education offers qualification courses from a City and Guilds Level 1 to an NCFE Level 2 in photography which I teach at Liskeard as well.

Interested in the above? There are some places still a available. The best thing is to call  0300 1231 117 or look at http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=2112 or email me on enquiries@johnhillman.co.uk . Look forward to seeing you on one of my courses.