Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/02/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Phil has raised an important point regarding how pictures are viewed. Context and authorship are undeniably part of art. Ask anyone that has protested after paying a large sum for a picture later found to be a fake. That may have more to do with commercial value perhaps. I have the utmost respect for Mads working where he does and when I look at his photograph I can identify a boot print as likely to be military which provides a clue. On its own it is not striking to me personally. In an essay for example, with context, it may well be much more powerful. Imagine if Mads published a series, say documenting a particular soldier or battle? What if this photo was captioned, CPL Smith badly wounded, was the first to set foot within the stronghold after a terrible battle, or something of that ilk? The photo would be the same, but viewed in that context we might rightly applaud it as compelling or historic. Anyone remember the photos of Armstrong's(?) boot print on the lunar surface? Historically magnificent; purely as a photo, overly contrasty with indifferent composition, a picture of dirt ;-) There are a number of entries that are readily associated with particular photographers and/or locations. However, reading Brian's instructions, those judges are meant to only consider their opinion of each image, irrespective of who took it (assumed or not) and disregarding relevance to the set theme. I think that providing a good title is worthwhile too, but I know that is always a point of contention in photography. Should the title change our opinions? My personal view is that the anonymity is essential but that the theme interpretation in fact should be considered. Having said that, I acknowledge Brian's stewardship and can also understand his approach. I just wanted to put those thoughts out there in case it might stimulate a discussion. Cheers Geoff, who has never entered anything that remotely impressed those judges! -----Original Message----- Subject: [Leica] observation on the LUG photo contest Brian Reid wrote: The photo contest is anonymous. Unless the entrant's work is well enough known that you can look at it and say "Oh, yes, that's by Steve Barbour" then the judges look only at the image itself. The image that came in dead last in the January contest was this one, entitled "Snow 5": http://contest.leica-users.org/main.php/v/0801/IMG_4117.jpg.html Once the results of the contest were published and I saw that this image was by Mads Christensen, who lives in Iraq, my opinion of the image totally changed. Suddenly the brown parts of the image weren't just "brown crud" they were "sands of Iraq", and suddenly the little patches of snow took on a much more complex meaning. ========================= I would have given it first place if I were a judge, even without knowing the details. However, by the time I saw it (via Brian's link) I already knew the details. -- Phil Swango 307 Aliso Dr SE Albuquerque, NM 87108 505-262-4085 _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information