Thomas Miller | Jan. 21, 2011
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| Photo by Heather Brogden |
| Indianapolis Star photographer Robert Scheer gives students pointers at the BNPA critique session Wednesday night. He was one of several pros and professors to critique students' work one-on-one. |
Students mixed with professors and local professionals from the Indianapolis Star, Herald-Times, IU Athletics and IU Communications. Students moved from one professional to the next listening to comments about their work and getting advice about what they can do better.
“I was really nervous,” said senior Stephanie Duncan. Duncan had applied for an internship at IU Athletics and, while she was not selected for the internship, she said that talking to IU Athletics photographer Mike Dickbernd gave her a good idea of what she needed to improve.
“It was very helpful to get actual feed back,” Duncan said. “I need to crop tighter, lighten areas and pay more attention to the tiny details. He’s given me really great advice.”
Dickbernd said that getting your work critiqued is a great way to improve your photojournalism.
“Critiquing is a great opportunity to get advice from professionals,” Dickbernd said, “and you get multiple perspectives.”
Dickbernd added that the atmosphere of the critique can better prepare you for a job interview.
“When you’re applying for a job, you get it or you don’t,” he said. “But in a critique, you can get information on what your best work is.”
The critique session also was an opportunity for students to build ties to the professional world.
“I had some really great mentors,” said Indy Star photographer Robert Scheer. “I don’t know if I would have stuck with it without them.”
Scheer, who started taking pictures at 22, said that students need to work on their photography by constantly taking pictures, no matter what.
“You can’t sit in class and learn how to be a photographer,” Scheer said.
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| Photo by Heather Brogden |
| Students team with pros for one-on-one sessions to critique students' work. The BNPA hosts the events often during the school year. |
“The club has such a strong connection with the professionals,” Brogden said. “The club brings the students and professionals together and the students know they can get a lot out of it.”
Although the club can’t bring as many professionals to every meeting, she said she hopes to create a similar environment at other meetings, such as students critiquing each other at future meetings.
“I think peers underestimate what they can get from other peers looking at their work,” Brogden said.
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