Perhaps the judges were looking for potential. These are all young photographers and I see some real potential in some of the images. The hands coming out of the pool is a great shot from a lighting and mood point of view. I do feel that any water pic where the water has a hard horizon line needs to be level, however.
I also like the diver and the high diving platforms. Perhaps just a tad bluish overall, but an interesting pic. Again, a certain mood to the pic. Almost looks more like a body falling than a diver diving.
Also, the dog and owner b&w image. Although a bit centered vertically it also sets a mood.
Those 3 photogs show real potential, IMO.
ETA: I can not imagine having to wade through 20,000 photos and only pick 10. Those judges must have been worn out after that.
I thought #1 & #5 showed Good creative processes and promise, but I don't anything compared to what a judge might be looking for. I wonder what the assignment for the contest was... maybe that would tell us a little more about why the photographers took the pics they took!
I don't get the one with the curtain, rug and baseboard heater.
These are students, so I can't be too hard on them. But my art student daughter, who dabbles in photography, has shots that could, in my opinion, blow all these entries away. :)
@38mm thanks for that link. The albums from each contestant for their category are well worth having a look at. Some great ones in there. I wonder if the judges selected on the strength of each album. The overall presentation in the individual albums is great
No matter how hard you try to avoid it, judging anything artistic always comes down to one's personal subjective taste. So what this panel saw and what we see are divided and always will be by that narrow line. That being said, most of them do have some sort of potential (since they are "students") and most of them are IMHO not spectacular- which is what I think you should expect if the shot is dubbed a "finalist". However, I do think the strongest images are the diver and the beach scene- those are the two that seemed to catch my attention. But the drape and carpet shot?????? My five year old granddaughter would take a picture like that. And the lady with the blob on her face- I don't get it. Well, enough of my ranting! Bottom line- I congratulate them all for being chosen as a finalist. That is an accomplishment to be proud of.
I agree - it goes to show that art is very subjective. There were 3 photos that I really liked - although none moreso than if I opened up the popular page here - I am always blown away by what people are submitting each and every day on 365!
actually the rug/curtain photo that people are commenting about, and the whole album actually is typical of stuff i see by "contemporary" photographers. i mean photographers who can take less than interesting photos and make them seem more valuable with a statement full of words that have no real meaning to anyone, but sounds "smart". it's hard to describe. i don't "get" a lot of contemporary photography either, without statements a lot of the images might not make a lot of sense.
edit: sorry i confuse my terms sometimes... maybe i mean more "conceptual" not contemporary.
whats with the curtains and carpet shot?
I also like the diver and the high diving platforms. Perhaps just a tad bluish overall, but an interesting pic. Again, a certain mood to the pic. Almost looks more like a body falling than a diver diving.
Also, the dog and owner b&w image. Although a bit centered vertically it also sets a mood.
Those 3 photogs show real potential, IMO.
ETA: I can not imagine having to wade through 20,000 photos and only pick 10. Those judges must have been worn out after that.
http://www.google.com/landing/photographyprize/winners.html
I quite like a lot of them, beats a lot of the usual clichéd stuff we see here so often.
These are students, so I can't be too hard on them. But my art student daughter, who dabbles in photography, has shots that could, in my opinion, blow all these entries away. :)
still dont really get it
edit: sorry i confuse my terms sometimes... maybe i mean more "conceptual" not contemporary.
For example, have a look at Nathan Osborne's or Kyle Thompson's work.