Photography is subjective

That title is loaded but just like books, movies and art, what appeals to one person may not appeal to another. This is why I don’t hold much stock in photography contests. There are so many factors involved in judging a “winning photo”. Generally they should all be exposed and composed well. Great photos may capture a moment in time that is notable or sparks the imagination of the viewer. However, something that I might find amazing and different, another person may have seen a million times. Perspective of the judge is also a factor in photos winning a contest.

When I left the National Press Photographers Association region I was in for a different region, I was leading my region in the photo illustration category. I was in a group that included New York City so at the time, having the most points seemed like a big deal. Putting into perspective 30 years later with what I know now, I realize that not many newspapers were shooting illustrations so the odds of me winning something were pretty good. My photos were still creative and well done but likely lack of competition helped me. I’d also like to point out that this was pre-Photoshop when all your photos were created in camera and not post production. My newspaper gave me time to be a problem solver and creative thinker.

In today’s world, judges have to think about post production and how much it affects the photo being judged. Is it real? How much is real? Is this how blue the sky looked when the photographer took the photo? Photojournalists have lost jobs and credibility for “enhancing” their images but that is only after they were caught. Many students now ask “how much is too much?” I tell them it should look like you saw it, power lines and all.

I didn’t lose faith in contests until after I taught college photography. We had class critiques and often I would not like something and the class would. I had them defend their position. Sometimes they changed my mind. That is when I realized that photography is subjective.

The graduates of one university may have different standards than another college. Just like how the Royal Academy artists in the late 1800’s poo-poo’d the PreRaphaelites and the Impressionists. Visual appeal is a matter of taste and aesthetic. Photography is very much the same. I personally hate modern street photography because I feel like the photographer doesn’t have a connection to the community like a photojournalist would. Make a picture on the sly vs. make a picture then go talk to the subject to understand the context in simplistic terms. That does not mean street photography is not a valid medium, just not for me.

So congrats to all who win contests! Just keep in mind that there are also many photographers who are fabulous who don’t enter contests. Judges all have different standards by which they choose the best. Make pictures for yourself and your community. Make pictures to help bring about positive change or illuminate problems. Make pictures to make people smile, cry or be angry. Just keep making pictures even if you aren’t judged THE BEST.