GEA ? first impressions

GEA – first impressions

Once or twice over the last couple of years friends here at Ephotozine have suggested I try a stint as Guest Editor. I’ve always balked at the idea, because I realized quite a long time ago that I never wanted to be absolutely in charge of anything. Well – anything more than a camera and a studio.

The task for each Guest Editor is to look at all of the pictures uploaded to Ephotozine for a week, and to give a Guest Editor Award to a selection of them. There isn’t a limit on the number to be given each day, that’s the so suggestion that four is about right. And this week I’m doing it, because a friend who was due to be guest editor has been unwell, and is suffering from some sight problems. So here I am, and being me, there has to be a blog in it!

I’m sure some people would be counting exactly how many pictures that he is: have not done that because I can’t count at the same time is doing something. Multitasking is much over rated by those with short attention spans. I might have a bash at working it out from the thumbnails later.

I’m learning one or two things as I go, because normally I look at particular genres, and the pictures of people whose work I know I like generally. I don’t normally look at all the thumbnails and certainly not all the pictures: I’m expecting it will take me a little bit more time than my usual activities as an individual and as a member of the critique team.

I’m in two minds whether to post this now, or to wait until I can give a more considered view. I think I can to follow my usual approach and there’ll be another blog along in a few days giving my thoughts after a day or three doing this. Wish me luck, particularly with the internal battles about whether I should ever give a Guest Editor Award to someone who I correspond with and whose work I see every day.

My old dayjob gave me plenty of practice trying to follow the Nolan Principles, and that’s something that I’d urge everyone to have a look at. Including members of Her Majesty’s government…