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Hello, .

I remember judging a photography show and competition and getting booed after choosing the photograph I felt deserved the best in the show.

A photography club hosted the show, but from what I recall, the show was open to anyone who wanted to enter their work. 

One of the photographs was a beautifully printed B&W photograph of a wooden, weathered, split rail fence and its shadow winding its way across a snow-covered bucolic scene. 

The photograph demonstrated excellent printing skills and application of the "rules" of photography while being beautifully matted and framed for display.

And as far as being a technically excellent photograph, it was. 

The problem was that it lacked feeling compared to the other photograph. 

I've seen pictures like that before. 

I'd bet you have, too. 

And while pictures like these are pleasing to look at and critique in terms of the elements of composition, creatively, they amount to what I see as visual muzak or a photographic cliché.

In other words, it is pleasant to look at but does not offer a uniquely creative visual expression.   

A teacher I worked with called this approach to producing work photographic regurgitation. 

While this approach is usually a valuable part of learning photography, at some point, if we want to produce creative, unique work, we've got to stop using photographic clichés because they amount to nothing more than technically excellent creative failures.

It looks good but lacks visual uniqueness and emotional connection. 

And now, back to the photograph I picked as the winner. 

It was a tonally dark color picture seemingly made while sitting in a small boat.

The picture included part of the boat's front interior and its bow jutting into the water. 

The picture, made while looking down, only showed a small part of the choppy water the boat was in, giving no sense of place or expanse.

The photographer also used a slow shutter speed to create a sense of movement. 

This picture, in terms of photography club standards, broke every rule in the book. 

But It was a visually unique picture.

It also had what the other picture didn't. 

It had a feeling. 

Specifically, the photograph felt disturbing to me.

That feeling compelled me to vote for the picture that, based on the rules of composition that the club adhered to, should have lost.   

That's why I got booed. 

My teachers taught me that the rules of photography produce homogenized photographic clichés.

When I asked one of my teachers about their thoughts about "photography clubs," they responded, "Remember that clubs can beat us over our heads."

In other words, the rules of composition can overwhelm us and make us senseless about our unique ways of making pictures. 

It's funny, after the mob that booed me put down their pitchforks and torches and calmed down, I congratulated the not-so-happy runner-up and the thrilled winner.

I announced that I'd be happy to discuss my choices with anyone who wanted to.

The runner-up or any club members were not interested in speaking with me. 

The winner, on the other hand, was a different story. 

He was relatively new to photography and was not a member of the club that sponsored the show or any club for that matter (Maybe that's why the crowd booed?). 

He asked if I had any advice for him.

I said, keep doing what you're doing, steer clear of clubs that bind your work with rules, and if you need to learn more, find yourself a good teacher who doesn't teach rules of composition.

I extend the same guidance to you. 

Remember, many technically excellent photographs fail on a creative level because a picture that exhibits technical mastery but doesn't show creativity is empty.

But don't discount technical skills. 

The more technical skills we have, the more creative we can be.

And always remember that technical mastery serves creativity.
 

Classes are below.

Do you need to learn to use your camera or brush up on some skills and techniques, especially if you want to be ready to take pictures and record those holiday moments?

I've scheduled Introduction to Photography and Getting to Know Your Camera classes.

Since class sizes are limited to five participants, it's a good idea to reserve your spot as soon as possible.

If you need a different schedule, there's always Private Lessons.

Below are more ways to learn photography with me.

The Introduction to Photography class or a series of Private Lessons will help you study and practice to become a photographer who can make the best possible pictures.

By studying and practicing photography with me, you'll learn how to be a better photographer. 

More ways to study and practice with me are below.