It was the first time at a meeting where I submitted a photograph for critique. What's fun about this MeetUp is that for each meeting they suggest a topic. Now, if you're not feeling that month's topic you can submit anything you like, but I think the challenge is trying to grab a great image with someone else "telling" you want to shoot. Last night's topic was night photography.
I submitted the above image - a Ferris Wheel from the PIFA (Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts) Street Fair from Saturday, April 30th. I like Ferris Wheels. I think they are really pretty and fun. But, I'm not great at getting a straight on shot that looks "cool," so I have come up with this (Check out more Ferris Wheel images here and here). Fun, isn't it?
And I was so happy to receive a good critique about it. It's not quite centered, but several people said they liked that about it. One also noted he liked that the center wasn't a perfect white O shape (there's a white circle missing). But, the best critique came from the night's presenter (a HS photography educator) who said at first he thought it was a Ferris Wheel, but then wasn't sure. Then stated that he has seen two types of Ferris Wheel photos - the straight-on this is a Ferris Wheel shot and a shot where the shutter speed is so slow that you see a ball of movement. He believes this is the first time he's ever seen a Ferris Wheel photographed in this way (and he liked it!).
What a great first photo critique night! I was really nervous to submit something, but I figure you can't learn if you don't put yourself out there. So, it was a great night all around - great presentation (with suggestions for additional learning) and a good first photo critique. Maybe my photo skills are better than I think. :-)
