Photo Evaluation Group

RSVP / Image submission for the next session

What is the photo evaluation group?

The photo evaluation group is an environment where GRIPS members and visiting guests can submit their own images, request feedback, and ask questions about equipment, techniques and creative process related to the images.
Compared with in-club competitions where members submit images and receive a score and optionally comments from external judges, the photo evaluation group is a more casual environment that allows for interactive discussions among all participants.

How will the photo evaluation group be run?

• The group will meet roughly on a monthly cadence. The following seven sessions have been planned for 2024-2025:
  • September 28, 2024 (church)
  • November 2, 2024 (church)
  • November 30, 2024 (church)
  • January 18, 2025 (Zoom)
  • February 22, 2025 (Zoom)
  • March 29, 2025 (church)
  • April 26, 2025 (church)
• Each session will start at 10:00 a.m. and end no later than 12 noon.
• The meetings will be in person (at the church), except for the January and February sessions which will be over Zoom.
• Each critique session will be led by one or more leaders to ensure that all participants will receive quality feedback. Leaders are members more experienced in photography who agree to actively offer their expertise, provide feedback and answer questions during the session. That said, we encourage all participants to offer their opinion and knowledge on any image.

The number of images reviewed will depend on the number of submissions. We will provide feedback on at least one image from each person. Most of the time, we can do two per person.

What do I do if I want to participate?

• For members: Come to one of our session! Use the Image Submission / RSVP link at the top of the page. We encourage members to submit the images ahead of time by 8 p.m. on Thursday before each session, so the leaders have time to prepare ahead of the session. We do take late submissions online, or you may bring your images (JPEG, raw, or both) on a USB stick to the meeting.
• For guests: Please register for the meetup sessions on EventBrite and pay the guest fee, and bring your images (JPEG, raw, or both) on a USB stick to the meeting.
• For all – be prepared to tell us more about your image – Why do you take the image? What do you want to convey? What do you want to do with the image? Are you happy with the image? What questions do you have?
• You can choose to participate without submitting your own images. It is OK to just be a fly on the wall and learn from others’ images and the commentary and discussions! Do RSVP (members) / register on EventBrite (guests) so we know to expect you.
• Sessions may be cancelled due to low attendance or weather. Those who registered for the session will be notified by email of any cancellation. For guests, your guest fee will be credited for a future photo evaluation group meetup or regular club meeting.

Should I be a leader, and what does it mean?

• If you feel you are knowledgeable in certain areas of photography and are interested in helping others, let us know using the “Questions and Comments” link at the bottom of the page! This is your chance to give back to the photographic community.
• You don’t need to be trained as a competition judge to be a leader, nor do you need to be an expert in everything (nobody is). We do expect you to be enthusiastic in helping others, be a good listener, and provide constructive feedback.
• Once we agree that you’ll be a leader, we’ll ask you to sign up as a leader for one or more sessions, based on your availability and the need for leaders.
• Ideally we ask each leader to review the submitted images ahead of time. This helps improve the quality of the feedback.
• As a session leader, you can also submit images for critique from other participants / leaders.

I have questions / suggestions!

Please contact Jonathan Sau, Bill Hall, or Kathy Waybrant either in person, or use the link below.

Questions and Comments