Club Night, Facial Expressions Challenge - Tuesday 13th November 2018.
On Tuesday 13th November 2018, Vice Chairman, John Barnes revealed the members’ response to his first challenge of
the season. This challenge was an opportunity to be creative, test ones photographic skills and to get honest feedback in
a club environment and required the photographer to focus on facial expressions; with the human face being extremely
expressive it is able to portray many emotions without speaking. Facial expressions are universal, of happiness, sadness,
anger, surprise, fear, and disgust which spans all cultures. Similarly expressions can tell stories – a picture is worth a
thousand words. A lined face tells a different story from youthful smooth skin. One tells of a lifetime of experience whereas
the other could be aspiration and an unknown exciting future. Some stories are easy to spot whilst others are more subtle
and open to the viewers’ interpretation.
Members were asked to submit four facial images which were not staged, excluded models, were to be taken from a street
photography viewpoint and preferably when the subject was unaware. The audience were then invited to provide constructive
criticism, talk about why they liked the image and imagine what the subjects may be were thinking.
Eleven members rose to the challenge and, following the brief, they came up with characters of all age groups, ranging from
youthful enthusiasm to resignation sometimes seen in the faces of the elderly. In addition they were asked to describe the circumstances; were they happy to take candid shots in the street, and were they challenged by people who did not want
their picture taken. Entries included a lady frowning at her phone; did she not like the message or was she struggling to use
the device; a Goth who’s expression changed from eerie in a staged shot to cheerful once the staged shot had been taken,
Laurel and Hardy lookalikes, who, when in character could pass for the real thing but when in repose didn’t resemble the
characters they portrayed at all.
There were young giggling girls teasing each other in a café and in a chance encounter in the street, both provided an
element of delight in being in each others company; the resigned look of a man seated, waiting patiently in charge of the
shopping bags; one street musician, closed eyed totally absorbed in the music contrasting with an exuberant double bass
player sharing his love of music with the audience.
An image of a charming Nepali child raised the issue of whether permission should be sought before taking the shot, which
led on to a discussion on methods used. Do we use sympathetic equipment when photographing in busy urban environments?
Using a sophisticated large camera with a huge lens would not be as discreet as a ubiquitous iphone. Suggestions that images
could be taken at hip height or from a camera placed on a table were also suggested as an alternative.
A passionate Italian lady trying to sell her products, a dog staring at food on a pub table, an amazed expression of a child
with an enormous ice-cream, the deep concentration of a book reader, weathered faced farmers in conversation at a county
show, bored children in a Spanish parade, interesting characters at a rock concert, a patient veteran selling poppies, sinister,
arrogant, and proud marchers at rallies were also seen on the evening. Overall it was established that in most instances
monochrome images concentrated on the subject itself avoiding background distractions, whereas colour shots displayed
more emotion and gave the viewer more opportunity to create a story. Cropping can enhance the feeling of what the subject
is thinking, enhancing the drama of boredom, happiness or anger.
John, who as usual encouraged audience participation with debate and advice, thanked all who took part and Chairman Mark
Harrison thanked him for presenting a very interesting evening, after which coffee was enjoyed.
Steph.
the season. This challenge was an opportunity to be creative, test ones photographic skills and to get honest feedback in
a club environment and required the photographer to focus on facial expressions; with the human face being extremely
expressive it is able to portray many emotions without speaking. Facial expressions are universal, of happiness, sadness,
anger, surprise, fear, and disgust which spans all cultures. Similarly expressions can tell stories – a picture is worth a
thousand words. A lined face tells a different story from youthful smooth skin. One tells of a lifetime of experience whereas
the other could be aspiration and an unknown exciting future. Some stories are easy to spot whilst others are more subtle
and open to the viewers’ interpretation.
Members were asked to submit four facial images which were not staged, excluded models, were to be taken from a street
photography viewpoint and preferably when the subject was unaware. The audience were then invited to provide constructive
criticism, talk about why they liked the image and imagine what the subjects may be were thinking.
Eleven members rose to the challenge and, following the brief, they came up with characters of all age groups, ranging from
youthful enthusiasm to resignation sometimes seen in the faces of the elderly. In addition they were asked to describe the circumstances; were they happy to take candid shots in the street, and were they challenged by people who did not want
their picture taken. Entries included a lady frowning at her phone; did she not like the message or was she struggling to use
the device; a Goth who’s expression changed from eerie in a staged shot to cheerful once the staged shot had been taken,
Laurel and Hardy lookalikes, who, when in character could pass for the real thing but when in repose didn’t resemble the
characters they portrayed at all.
There were young giggling girls teasing each other in a café and in a chance encounter in the street, both provided an
element of delight in being in each others company; the resigned look of a man seated, waiting patiently in charge of the
shopping bags; one street musician, closed eyed totally absorbed in the music contrasting with an exuberant double bass
player sharing his love of music with the audience.
An image of a charming Nepali child raised the issue of whether permission should be sought before taking the shot, which
led on to a discussion on methods used. Do we use sympathetic equipment when photographing in busy urban environments?
Using a sophisticated large camera with a huge lens would not be as discreet as a ubiquitous iphone. Suggestions that images
could be taken at hip height or from a camera placed on a table were also suggested as an alternative.
A passionate Italian lady trying to sell her products, a dog staring at food on a pub table, an amazed expression of a child
with an enormous ice-cream, the deep concentration of a book reader, weathered faced farmers in conversation at a county
show, bored children in a Spanish parade, interesting characters at a rock concert, a patient veteran selling poppies, sinister,
arrogant, and proud marchers at rallies were also seen on the evening. Overall it was established that in most instances
monochrome images concentrated on the subject itself avoiding background distractions, whereas colour shots displayed
more emotion and gave the viewer more opportunity to create a story. Cropping can enhance the feeling of what the subject
is thinking, enhancing the drama of boredom, happiness or anger.
John, who as usual encouraged audience participation with debate and advice, thanked all who took part and Chairman Mark
Harrison thanked him for presenting a very interesting evening, after which coffee was enjoyed.
Steph.