[Leica] observation on the LUG photo contest

[kcarney1 at cox.net (Ken Carney)]

Interesting.  Obviously there are a lot of images that benefit from a title.
"Incinerated Iraqi Soldier" comes to mind, along with the Neal Armstrong
photo (except for the ones where the guys are in space suits with the Earth
in the background...).  I assume the judges see the captions/titles?

Ken

> -----Original Message-----
> From: lug-bounces+kcarney1=cox.net@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-
> bounces+kcarney1=cox.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of G Hopkinson
> Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2008 4:35 PM
> To: 'Leica Users Group'
> Subject: RE: [Leica] observation on the LUG photo contest
> 
> 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
> 
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