Mark Thompson was born and raised in New Zealand and settled in Utah in 2020. His life has been quite adventurous and often filled with following dreams. He has established a studio in Sandy and exhibited across Salt Lake City. He is often mentoring people around the world in the Hasselblad ecosystem (for which he is very passionate). Right now, he is preparing for a Southern Utah adventure flying his Paramotor above some of Utah’s unique landscape to try and get some incredibly detailed aerial photos.
In this presentation we will look at the editing and AI influences on the world of art and photography. With the degree and detail of false narrative appearing in images online, Mark is becoming more focused on the importance of photography as a way of telling the truth in photos for future generations to enjoy. Part of this is understanding the journey from your intention to the process of taking the photo, including the impact of editing. Who is this photo for? Our photographs will outlast us. It is important to leave our best effort to report the world around us faithfully as possible.
With that in mind, whatever it is you choose to photograph, do it well, and judge it hard! Mark will discuss some of the limitations of the cameras we use, and how we can address that in editing. He wants the photos that you specialize in to be as technically good as possible and that your editing is as intentional as the limits of the camera itself. Mark has a few examples of photos and the editing that was employed.
One of the greatest tests for a photo is for the people around us to see it, pause and engage with the image. If we were to pick up a book from one of the great photographers, there might be anywhere from 100 to 200 photos depicting their life’s work. Very few have more than 300 noteworthy photos. Out of the thousands of photos we have taken, how many will be seen, and by how many people? Mark will talk about his archive structure and how he grades his work to eventually leave three catalogs of work. One, historically valuable to family, one of the significant works true to the world around us and lastly a subjective collection. This is an ongoing process and one that might take years to complete, and one that Mark is excited to see how you all might approach it! Mark is a member of the Wasatch Camera Club. He has been a judge for competition and helped out with the exhibit committee.
Join us as he shares his thoughts on the importance of photography. This event will be held at the Ruth Vine Tyler Library, 8041 Wood St, Midvale, at 6:30 on Tuesday, April 14th. Please register for this event. See you there!
Do you have a photographic interest to share with the Club? Is there something you are passionate about or can teach? Our members will enjoy seeing photography techniques, portfolios and travelogues. Contact Lisa, Workshop Coordinator at workshops@wasatchcameraclub.com .