Blast from the Past No.2.

Several weeks ago I posted Blast from the Past No.1 and I now have several more interesting snippets waiting to amuse or intruige you.    No.2 in this series was in Newsletter 104 dated December 1986., and features a letter from the late Eric Sainsbury - it contains quite a few 'gems'

LETTER TO THE EDITOR


Dear Editor,
Gary Harper's letter in Issue 103 of Infinity sent me scampering off to re-read his original epistle in Issue 101 - this time with my glasses not only in place, but scrupulously cleaned

In his first letter Gary says judges will always prefer a certain type of photograph. Letter No. 2. states Eric had thought that my understanding of Judges is that they only like one sort of photograph - he couldn't be further from the truths. The distinction between these two statements is too subtle for a simple mind like mine.
Further, in the fourth paragraph of his original letter he suggests the use of three Judges. This, in the second letter, is interpreted as “One other Judge of perhaps a different age or sex”
I am relieved to find that my eyesight is better than Gary feared! Finally, his letter concludes with some pungent comments on poor old R.P.S. Quite how they came into the argument is not entirely clear, and I am left wondering how Gary operates his camera without disturbing the chip on his shoulder!

Of course, the problem arises purely as a result of regarding photography as a competitive activity - which it is not. If I feel aggressively competitive I play bowls or snooker, or even Bridge, where the result is mathematically calculated and does not rest on subjective opinion. Unless all Club Members accept that the primary reason for Club Competitions is to provide an opportunity to see other's work and to exhibit their own, frustration and disappointment is sure to follow: as the only member who will agree with the Judge at the end of the evening is he whose entry was placed first.

As for inter-club competitions, it is my experience that they engender bickering and jealousy, and are more trouble than they are worth. How does it help your personal photography to know that Kingswood has more, or less: good photographers than, say, B P S or British Rail? Surely the real joy of our hobby comes from producing a picture that ratifies you - if it satisfies a Judge as well, lucky you - but it’s only a bonus!

Yours sincerely
Eric Sainsbury