MONTHLY MEETING PROGRAM: My Favorite Photo
- LOCATION: Eau Gallie Civic Center | 1551 Highland Ave, Melbourne
The “My Favorite Photo” concept was born from a proposal I made to Kodak many years ago originally entitled “My Best Shot.” The premise was for amateurs and pro photographers to send to Kodak a photograph they took on Kodak film or digital products and considered to be their best shot. They also were required to provide a few paragraphs explaining why it was considered their favorite, the circumstances around it and also the technical data (camera system, lens, film, exposure data, etc). Kodak marketing and professional editors would review the entries, and select up to 100 or more images to be included in a coffee table sized book produced by Kodak and sold internationally in bookstores. (This was before the internet). Each photographer, their story, data and photo would comprise either a 1 or 2 page spread, depending upon the photo.
At that time, photo books in bookstores would feature a single photographer’s portfolio or a genre of photographers by era. The Kodak book would offer 100 very different photographs, each with the story behind it….and all the tech data for the photo nerds. I created a few spreads in my proposal. It would be a tremendous selling tool and positive PR for Kodak, featuring photographers of all skills, ages, and experience. I also included the fact they could produce My Best Shot photo books unique to each of their international marketing regions ( US/Canada, Latin America, Asia, and Europe.
They never bought the idea. (Look up the term “dumbasses” in the dictionary.)
The Portfolio 26 program in March was developed based upon Cole Thomson‘s Portfolio projects and was meant to stimulate our sometimes apathetic members to step out of their comfort zone, climb out of their rut and do something different and challenging with their creative photography. To entice them, we didn’t make it a competition, but merely encouraged participation without the angst of being judged. And they came through. I was very pleased with the overall quality of the portfolios. I hope the CCB offers it again in 2027.
I see “My Favorite Photo” in the same vein. No judging, just participation and sharing something near and dear. The photo could be anything one deems special….your first photo for example, a photo of your child, a happy accident, a shot you worked especially hard to get, one with incredible or unusual lighting effects…whatever.
During the presentation, each photographer, in turn, will take the mic and explain the significance and circumstance of their selected image.
I truly believe this will be an enlightening, interesting and intriguing presentation.
- SEND YOUR PHOTOS TO: photos@cameraclubofbrevard.com by the end of August.
John Buck
