Shannon McEnerney | Feb. 4, 2010
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| Photo by Krysten Beck |
| During the info session for the BNPA, president Heather Brogden showed her portfolio. She’s hoping the group’s meetings will serve as a venue for photographers to show their work and refine their skills. |
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Carver attended Tuesday’s Bloomington News Photographers Association call-out meeting, an organization designed to bring together all photographers throughout the IU and Bloomington community.
Carver, a photographer for the Indiana Daily Student, said the organization will allow him to meet fellow photographers.
“It’s nice to get opinions from my peers,” Carver said. “I can gain something, and right now it is more about networking than skill, so I’m just trying to get my name out there.”
Junior Heather Brogden, the group’s president, led the discussion about the organization’s goals. It began last year, but organizers hope to have more structured programming this time, such as having portfolio critiques and engaging local professional photographers.
“The group’s purpose is about student involvement,” Brogden said. “It circles around what each individual has to say and what each photo has to show. Everyone’s voice will make the group succeed.”
Brogden recently tapped into professional expertise when she asked photographers to critique her portfolio. She said one professional at the Elkhart Truth told her he didn’t like one of her photos, while another professional at The Indianapolis Star told her he loved that same photo and to keep it in her portfolio.
Brogden said that it’s important to get as much input as possible because opinions vary from person to person, and the more people heard from, the more beneficial in shaping the portfolio to be the best it can be.
Besides helping to make each member’s portfolio strong, Brogden said the group is open to those who don’t have portfolios – yet. Membership is open to anyone interested in photography, no matter the skill level.
The group’s next meeting is Feb.16, and Brogden said she hopes to have the group meet with three local professional photographers for a critique session in order to prepare for the Indiana News Photographers Association judging, set for the School of Journalism Feb. 19.
The INPA judging is a chance for photographers to see how judges assess professional work, and during attend and watch the judging. Afterward, judges may explain their decision-making process in a brief talk.
Brogen said this is one way photographers can gauge their own work and a way for the newly-reformed BNPA to jump-start interest.
“I think there is a responsibility to create more opportunities for students, such as with the Bloomington News Photographers Association,” Brogden said. “We’re hoping to have a dozen or 15 strong members.”
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