One of the most difficult skills to develop as a photographer is to see their images objectively. Photographers, especially budding ones, are apt to ascribe attributes to their images that are nowhere to be found. Why? They’re still seeing with the emotion they felt while in the midst of creating the exposure, none of which is evident or can be felt by the viewer. My concern with competition is not with those judges who can objectively evaluate what they see, but rather those who come to the arena with baises as to what constitues a good image. I have sat with many a panel of judges who don’t so much see the creation before them but whether the photographer complied to their check list of ‘dos and dont’s’. EXAMPLE: The year after earning my Masters, I entered an image of a most extraordinary Bulgarian boy with equally extraordinary eyes. Long story short, the panel dinged the image for extensive artwork to the eyes, of which there was none. Their paradigm was such that large eyes meant manipulation – they never saw my image. It was the last time I entered national competition. I knew I could follow the rules, create mediocre work and win, but what fun is that. Instead I opted out. I do not fault those who enjoy competition, as many of my frieds do. For me, I can think of a thousand better ways to invest my time – like creating extraordinary photographs…ReplyCancel