FOCUS has always been about creating a strong community of photographers who strive to achieve their best, who in turn support others on their own unique photographic journey. This vision requires goodwill, energy and commitment from all members united in our passion for the art of photography.
FOCUS is known for its transparency, accountability to members and a determined focus to the above vision.
While the FOCUS Committee holds meetings every month to discuss various ideas and ways forward for the group, it was felt that with the 2015 FOCUS Awards coming up very shortly (amongst other things), we needed some concentrated time together to truly nut out the finer details.
Some of the items that were up for discussion over the course of the weekend included:
- Location scouting for Nelson Bay and surrounds (we can confirm that there are many, many AWESOME spots)
- Improving the Annual FOCUS Awards, including new categories(announcement coming soon), judges, structure of the Awards Presentation evening, new rules, competition website.
- Finalising Focus beanies and t-shirts designs for purchase by members
- New editing techniques to share on our next processing get-together
- Additional events, education and workshops for members
- Monthly competitions
- Gear blogs, FAQs and informative articles to add to the website
- Review of year to date events and activities
Each member of the Committee who attended the Conference not only invested their time away from family, but also paid their own way, including accommodation, travel, food and other expenses. Peter Eastway’s fee for the weekend was also paid by the Committee members who attended the Conference.
It was also a chance to deepen Focus’s relationship with Peter Eastway. And we are pleased to announce that Peter Eastway has agreed to be the Head Judge for the 2015 FOCUS Awards.
An Awards Sub-Committee has also been formed, comprising of: John Armytage, Adam Williams, Helen Trenerry, Steve Arnold and Ray Jennings. The members on this Judging Sub-Committee are the only members who will be dealing with the judges in the lead up to the 2015 FOCUS Awards. It is this reason that these members will not be eligible to win any of the prizes. The Awards Sub-Committee can still submit images for scoring to evaluate how their photography has grown and receive feedback. All other members of the Committee will have no contact with the judges in relation to the awards and are still eligible to enter and eligible for prizes.
The Conference was a chance for the Committee to grow and learn, do some team building, brainstorm on FOCUS ideas in a much more focused way than at a monthly meeting, and to workshop with Peter Eastway. We have come away refreshed, more focused and with a keen sense of where FOCUS needs to be heading and how we, as a Committee, can help to achieve that.
A weekend away in Nelson Bay would not be complete without tripping the shutter. Here’s Olga in action nailing a composition!
Check out what Peter Eastway had to say about spending a weekend with the Focus Committee on his Better Photography blog.