“Capture this” is FUN!

by: Laya Alles –

Photography is a medium for sharing with other people, often moments in time. Capturing the moments in time is only but one aspect of ‘Good Photography’. There is a big difference between snap shots and what are considered ‘Good Photographs’. Good photographs convey a message that the author wishes to convey. In addition to capturing the moment in time, there are many dimensions to quality photographs, from art, creativity, technical quality, compositional, to mention but a few. It is these dimension that add longevity to quality photographs, i.e. what makes people look at them repeatedly and appreciate the messages over and over again.
“Capture This” is a great platform for those wishing to improve the quality of their photographs, “Capture This” is also an excellent forum for improving the skills and learning as one goes along by listening to others and appreciating the works of others. The specific themes makes one think hard and take the effort to creatively convey the sentiments of an assignment, while attempting to obtain the maximum quality in all of the aforementioned dimensions. In order to motivate and make it fun and interesting, “Capture This” is a serious, but a very friendly competition.
This is open to all photographers, amateur and professionals alike, who are members of the PSSL. Those who participate could be residents of Sri Lanka or living overseas, both Sri Lankans or otherwise. The competitions are held under five categories of Assignments, as Open color, Open Mono, Wildlife & Nature and Travel.  Open Judging sessions are held. These sessions are where the learning occurs. Of course being a competition, there are exciting Prices  from PSSL challenge trophies, Gold – Silver & Bronze medals, to Cash Prizes . The details can be obtained from the web site at www.pssl.lk.
The judges employ the various dimensions of quality photographs as criteria for judging. Quality is paramount. The judging and the critiquing process, however, could be daunting and could seriously hurt one’s ego; but it is also a very humbling experience, because we all think that our own photographs are very good. The platform allows one to see the photographs of other highly skilled photographers and learn how we could improve our own skills with application and diligence. The purpose and the objective of the competition, therefore  is to entice the improvement in the skill set, in achieving quality results, as good photographs appreciated by everyone over many years. Th.at is the real achievement of a photographer
There is no better learning ground than the “Capture This”; much better than any tutorial from the youtube or given in person. Over the 150 years of the PSSL, many a good photographer had been produced and formed through this process. So please take the opportunity, even though it might be intimidating at the beginning. And of course enjoy and have fun.