Camera Club Talk - HELP!

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I've got to do a camera club talk about my Photographic Expedition i did last year, its a bit of a pain, i was booked before i had even left so well over a year ago and its finally crept up on me and the chap has rung to confirm booking and i just couldnt back out (i'm weak!).

So, help me out, what are these clubs like, what do they expect...i've been told they have boards for prints, but does that mean i have to spend £200+ on printing large prints, mounting and framing them?

How shall i do the talk bit, surely there isnt that much to say??

Oh god.........HELP me! :(
 
Ok let see if i can provide some information that may help you.

First so you have an idea about where I am coming from .......

I have never given a photography talk and have never attended one so the specifics may need to be tailored. I have just finished a 2 day international training course. Most of the concepts can be applied with only the subject matter being different.

One thing to keep in your mind is that 90% of the public hate public speaking (me included) but it gets easier with practice.

Think who your attendees are. Are they professionals or a group of keen amateurs ?. If you were in their shoes what would you like to know about.

You say you can't think of much to talk about. This is not uncommon, If I had to do the same with my recent trip to Thailand then I would feel the same way but take a moment and the key is to break it down.

Start with a list of topics. How about;

Preparation - Selecting where to go, what you wanted to see and why.
Equipment - What you took and why (take a selection so people can see it and, if you are happy, handle it.
Getting there - How you got to your first stop, any tips to help others (short and sweet).
First photo stop - Impressions, how you decided on the shots you took and how you got them just right. A bit of technical info (focal lengths, exposure etv).
Second stop - as above
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Coming home - Impressions of the time spent. Were goals set out with achieved. What would you have done differently.
Post production - What did you do to the shots when post processing them (not for every shot but for a few select ones).
Next project - What are the plans for the future. Where are you going next. Path for you to improvement.
Questions - Open to the floor.
Thank you and good night - Suggest to the attendees that they may like to look around.

Allot time to each section and try to make the photo stop sections a little different. Too much 'went here, did this, took 3 shots, left' will get a bit boring.

Looks like there could be plenty there to talk about.

How about including a display of a bad shot (one you discarded) -> an improved shot with info on how it was improved from *** same location (i.e. reframed view, better exposure etc) -> shots detailing the results of the different stages of post production (sharpening, colour balancing, cropping). The aim is to show that perfect shots are the result of a lot of work not just point, shoot and perfect picture straight out of the camera. That is one or two boards filled right there and I would have thought a major source of interest. Most people only like showing their best where as if you show the fact that not all your pictures are perfect first go then people will be able to associate with you more and learn how to improve.

Another board or two of best shots (A4 would seem to be a reasonable size). Add some text on a strip below the photograph as knowing something about where it is and why you took the shot adds interest. Possibly have a map with the route marked and photo stops labelled so the stops can be referenced with the pictures on display. Give each shot it's space. They are all unique and deserve not to be bunched. Don't be afraid of space between them. If you have more shots than boards then take a photo album or two with shots at normal photo size. Save the best for A4 on the boards. If you really want to wow then put a couple at A3s up. If you aren't able to print them yourself then use something like photobox online to print them for you.

Find out the size of the boards and number, mark out a section of your floor to the same size and try positioning pictures with sheets of A4 paper as substitutes. Use a piece of A4 for each board you are going to use to record positioning so you can reference them when setting up for the talk. Don't feel you need to use them all.

Remember to relax, talk like you are talking with friends. Focus on individuals when talking but switch to different people regularly. Eye contact makes it a lot more personal for the viewer. Most people will be aware of how difficult public speaking is and are very likely to be sympathetic.

Either cover impromptu questions very quickly and move on or just say you will come back to it latter on in the talk or at the end. Try not to break the flow. You are telling a story and seeing it as such will help you keep the flow going.

Have the list of topics in front of you so you can keep track of where you are and where you are going. Have cue cards for the subjects just in case your mind goes blank.

If you have the chance then practice on friends and family and get their reaction. If there is anything they don’t understand or find confusing then think about tweaking that part. Feel free to use props. Use the photos you have brought and the map. Show the equipment as you are talking.

With a little preparation you should be able to breeze through it but it does take preparation to pull off a good talk.

Have fun with it. Relax and have a drink after it is all over.

I am sure you will do fine.

Any other questions then just ask and let us know what you decided to do and how it went (with pictures if possible ;) ).

RB
 
I gave a talk recently at my club. It was not the same kind of talk in that it was mostly technical (Digital Workflow) and it aimed to help recent film-to-digital converts.

Still, I would try to get slideshow together with a laptop and a projector. Maybe they have a projector? My club has one and I used my laptop.

People respond well and give their attention to slideshows with the lights off (because only the screen can be seen with no distractions.)

Use a slideshow program that allows you to go back and forth rather than just display the photos a few seconds.

Prepare a few words about each image. Not necesarilly technical, but some comment. If you can put some humour/anecdotes in all the better. Explain before you start that you welcome discussion, and pause a little for these after saying your bit.
 
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