by Margaret Sprott
Do You Want Help with Improving Your Images? Quite a few members have commented that feedback on their images would help them improve their photos. One of the many services offered by PSA to their individual members is the evaluation of images. This is done in several ways, depending on which division you use. Divisions include Electronic Imaging, Photojournalism, Photo Travel, Pictorial Print, Stereo, and Nature. As a member (which only costs $45 per year) you can participate in one or all of the activities of the various divisions.
Study Groups
The basic way study groups work is that you request to join one in whatever division you desire. You are then assigned to a small group of other members. Each group has a Secretary or Administrator who keeps things moving. Images are passed around among all the group members and each one gives feedback. The rules and specific details vary from division to division but in all of them you learn from other members. I always thought it would be pretty time consuming to send around slides and/or prints but now that there are some digital possibilities, that concern is alleviated. I heard comments from several people at the conference about how useful this was to them.
Have You Wondered?
A PSA Exhibition (formerly called a Salon) is actually just a competition, the main difference being that acceptances can be earned in an exhibition even if your image does not take one of the top places and earn an award. You can earn stars and galaxies when you have enough acceptances.
Individual Evaluations
One of the services of the Photo Travel Division is Image Evaluation. This entails an evaluation of specific images to see whether or not they fit the definition of Photo Travel and could be entered in one of their exhibitions. The Pictorial Print Division offers Personal Print Analysis by an expert photographer who offers suggestions on how to improve your prints. Other divisions have similar services for new members. Even without using a specific service you can learn from other PSA members. When I entered one exhibition and then saw some of the other entries, I e-mailed the organizer with the comment that given the quality of the other entries, it was no wonder that none of my images were accepted. I was amazed when he sent me quite a few specific suggestions with examples about how to improve my images. I subsequently used his suggestions, reentered some of the images, and had some acceptances.
Journal Articles
Each month individual members receive the PSA Journal which has many columns and articles about specific aspects of photography. Lately, there have been many on how to get the most out of PhotoShop. Often, there are step by step instructions that you could follow as you work on your images at home.
Note: Carol Ball is still our PSA Rep but does not have time to write a monthly column for the newsletter. She will be glad to discuss PSA with you at our meetings.PSA International Conference
Portland, Oregon
August 31 to September 8, 2008
