Bob Crum

Last week I was intensively and arduously involved in the inaugural Art and Photography Exhibition. Sponsored by Fillmore's Arts Commission, the exciting art show was presented in city hall's council chamber. Fifteen artists and four photographers presented their artwork. Most visitors were surprised and delighted to see a wide variety of art and photos.

The artist reception was a smashing success. So many from the community attended, enjoying the opportunity to meet the artists and photographers and discuss their artwork, if so inclined. Some art was purchased.

The majority of visitors, with the People's Choice ballots in hand, took voting for their 1st, 2nd and 3rd favorite works of art and photographs seriously, reviewing the art two or three times before voting. Over 180 visitors cast People's Choice ballots.

As you'll note in another space or the website, my photo of the Fillmore & Western steam engine nighttime photo won People's Choice first place. My photo of the dazzling poppies that I featured here as the photo of the week a month ago won second place. Winning two awards out of three is a great honor. Furthermore, a collector purchased the print of my train photo.

Photography, i.e., fine art photography, was woefully underrepresented. Only four photographers participated. So depressing. I'd like to see a much larger contingency of photographers exhibiting in next year's show. I have to believe that there are many photographers in Fillmore. To be included in next year’s show, send me an email today!

At the art show, I learned that many would-be photographers simply haven't learned about photography. I'm not surprised. Somewhere in the deep recesses of my subconscious mind, a place deep in my brain, I sensed that I knew the reason the masses abandoned photography in exchange for phonetography, but I couldn't articulate my synopsis till now. Most phonetographers are lazy! While a would-be musician, or would-be golfer, knows that lessons and practice manifest a piano player or golfer, the majority of phonetographers avoid learning photography. After all, lessons and practice steal Facebook time. So much easier to whip out the cellphone, snap a photo and slap it up on Facebook or Instagram. But that's a snapshot, not a photo! Even while acknowledging photography's advantages, phonetographers effectuate a simile of Newton's First Law: Things not bothered to learn remain unlearned. The universal truth: Photography knowledge cannot be learned by osmosis!

Many would-be photographers I talked with at the art show universally agreed that they would participate in a photography group (club) for education & fun. However, as previously stated, I don't have a projector necessary for critiquing photos. Does anyone know anyone from whom I can borrow a projector one evening a month? Or where I might obtain a projector for a modest cost? Or just send me a check for $650. Just a thought!

One refrain I hear repeatedly is how do I find so much variety to photograph? Seriously? Remember my commentary about conscious awareness? It's as simple of being aware and learning to see as a photographer. Even phonetographers can learn this, I think.

One day I saw a unique and interesting accumulation of clouds over the backcountry north of Fillmore. Camera in hand, I drove up Goodenough Road looking for the best location to shoot from without overhead power lines in the frame. It took considerable moving around to find the best place from where to shoot that showed the avocado grove in the foreground, the mountains, and clouds. Location determines perspective for best composition. Happy photoing.

Send comments, suggestions or questions to: focusonphotography@earthlink.net