Upcoming Forum Meeting Dates

2nd Wednesday unless otherwise noted 

All by Zoom until further notice:

•  July 8, 2026

•  August 12

•  September 9 

•  October 14

•  November 11   

•  December 9  

 

Meetings start at 7:00pm, chatting starts approx 6:30pm

Zoom links are sent a day before the meetings to individuals on the subscriber list. Nancy Ori maintains the list. To check if you are on the list, or to have your name added to the list, send an email to Nancy Ori at [email protected].

Preparing for the Photography Forum Meeting:  

Preparing your work for presentation at a meeting:

You may bring a maximum of 8 printed images (6 or less is preferred) to show for the
purpose of critiquing or soliciting suggestions and receiving feedback from the other
photographers. If you bring more than one print, the group of prints should have common theme,
not a random collection of your work.

Prints shall be high quality and sized large enough so that details are visible when view several
feet away. It is preferred that the prints are matted as they would be for an exhibit and are able to
sit on a table and lean against a wall abutting the table; however, there may be exceptions if the
meeting venue does not have a suitable display table and wall. Post card size and smaller prints
are unacceptable.

How to Observe and Discuss a Photographer’s Work

Photographer’s Statement

Explain how this work illustrates a specific interest or compliments an existing body of work.

Viewer’s First impressions - after you have a look...

What thoughts or emotions first come to mind.

Do you observe a particular point of view or vision?

Identify the strengths and weaknesses.

Close your eyes - is there something that lingers about this work?

Be specific and support your observations with examples.

Avoid general comments - good, bad, I like/dislike etc.

Is there more to be explored either in whole or part?

Is there a creative aspect that sets this work apart? 

Subject matter - is it interesting, overdone or merits more work?

Lights Of Bar HarborLynn Ronan

Observe overall quality

Composition, balance and perspective.

Color, tonal qualities, contrast and sharpness.

Does the presentation compliment or detract from the work? 

Would reprinting be suggested?  Reshooting?

Photographer’s Response

How do you view this critique?

Will you continue with this theme? 

What are the challenges?

Would you like to either reprint or reshoot this work?

Here are some questions for discussion.

1. How effectively does the image capture and hold your attention?  How well did they accomplish that?

2. What message does the photo convey?  How powerful is the emotional impact?  Is the impact present for a majority     of the viewers?  Is the image similar to others, or does it have its own personality or vision?

3. Does the photograph have the elements of strong design, such as rule of thirds, simplicity, clean backgrounds, and the use of leading lines to guide the viewer's eye?  Does the image include distracting elements?

4. How effective is the use of color and contrast in determining the overall mood and does it add or distract the viewer?

5. Are there any issues with focus, exposure or composition?

6. How creatively is lighting exploited or used to enhance the overall mood and visual impact of the image?  Are there any distracting 'hot spots' or 'murky' shadows? 

7. Does the image have a lasting quality?  Will you remember it?