GRASS VALLEY, Calif. February 22, 2017 – Critiques are one of the most valuable ways to grow as a photographer, but also are some of the most challenging,” stated Douglas Hooper, President of the Nevada County Camera Club. “A critique, by its very nature, tells us what we did wrong. It can feel harsh and overly subjective. Our hope for this presentation is to share techniques that will make a critique seem less critical and more educational – helping both the critics as well as the submitting photographers,” said Hooper. At the February meeting, Hooper and David Wong, past President of the camera club, will highlight how to critique a colleague’s work, giving them recommendations on ways to improve their photo while sharing respect and appreciation for what the photographer aims to convey.
Hooper, with 38 years of experience as a professional photographer, will share his insights on critiques; illustrating how to provide advice in a nonthreatening way and focusing on the basic elements of composition, lighting, focus and post-processing suggestions. David Wong will follow up Hooper’s presentation by critiquing member photos, using his experience as a professional fine art photographer.
Hooper, originally from the Bay Area, has won many awards for his photography including first place at the KVIE Art Auction in 2002 as well as in shows in Roseville and Nevada County. As a commercial photographer, he has photographed 321 weddings and products for scores of catalogs. He was on the Board of Directors for the Peninsula Advertising Photographer’s Association (PAPA) and was an official photographer to Burning Man for four years. He has taught a variety of photography classes for Sierra College, Placer School for Adults, the Learning Exchange and others. In 2000, he was one of the first local instructors to teach digital photography.
David Wong’s photographs have won numerous awards, have been exhibited in New York and are currently on display in California galleries. His photography and video clients have included Joseph Bidden, Barbara Boxer, SHAPE headquarters at NATO, the Karalinska Istitute in Stockholm, and Stanford University. Wong has been a photography instructor locally, in overseas workshops, and during summer programs at Vassar College in New York. He has had the good fortune to count John Sexton and Ted Orland, two of Ansel Adams assistants, as teachers and photographers that have critiqued his work.
During the second half of the meeting, Wong will critique member photos in the following categories: Black and White; Color; Nature-Landscapes; Nature – Wildlife; Travel; Technical; People; Creative Interpretation; Photojournalism; and the monthly topic, “Enthusiasm/Eager”.
Meeting: Monday, February 27, from 6:15 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Unity in the Gold Country Spiritual Center, 180 Cambridge Court, Grass Valley
Membership: The public is welcome and there is no cost for first time guests. Currently, the club has over 100 members and aims to help them refine their photography skills.
For More Information:
Nevada County Camera Club: http://www.nccameraclub.com
Douglas Hooper Photography: http://douglashooper.com
David Wong Photography: http://www.photographybydavidwong.com