G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

A Great Image? Is it possible.

Consider:
A photographer can learn to combine a host of technical and subjective compositional skills to achieve a recognised ‘Standard’ of work. Most Photographic Societies have a set sylabus and require ‘pieces of work’ that shows the prospective candidate’s skills in interpreting ‘The society’s’ standards and expectations.

Consider:
Many ‘famous’ artists and photographers had rich and influencial Patrons or worked for media services with a world-wide audience and social influence. The exceptions caught the attention of ‘The Media’ in times of conflict or social upheaval or change .

Out of context, many ‘famous’ artworks and photographs show little skill or technical excellence. Collectivly they are diverse in subject, context and application. Foretelling ‘the next big thing’ requires a media outlet or influencial friends.

Therefore: A great Image depends upon who see’s it, who buys it, who wrote about it and how few originals there are available.

NOW judge your pictures …….Who are your ‘friends’ and where do you work!

You may be sitting on the next 'great image' but, in the dark on your own.

have fun

Novicus Loc: north and east

TRUE !!

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

Art is subjective to the viewer likes and whims.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If something has intrigued me over the years it has been photographic competitions. How in this world could someone pick a "best one" among thousands of photographs?
I sent 10 of my best photos to a competition. The photos have been critiqued by photographers with advanced knowledge and members of a known photo school. I selected what they considered to be the best and sent them to the competition. None of them won not even a honorary place. Ever since I never again participated in photo competitions.
I could not agree more with you.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

William, I'm in your camp on this one. Anything that is judged is not a competition, that includes figure skating and gymnastics. Here's my idea of a photographic competition. Each contestant is given the assignment to photograph. On your marks, get set, go. They rush off, take the photo, process the photo, and bring back a print. The first one done wins.

I've seen photo contests judged by people who have no idea which ends of the camera through which to look. However, they are members of the art community, mostly art gallery owners.

Years ago, I entered an art exhibit. It was sponsored by the company for which I worked. I was unaware that it was a judged exhibition, as that was not made clear on the entry form. It was labeed as an exhibition/art and crafts sale. The one photo I entered won an honorable mention. I was informed by a couple of the judges (A.S.U. art majors) of that. For my other entry, they'd indicated that they'd like to have given me Grand Prize or at least most creative, but couldn't, for understandable reasons. I completely understood but accepted their congratulations none the less. Then, they informed me that my photograph had gotten an honorable mention.

Most every other, and there have only been a few, contests I've looked at featured quite well-executed photographs. The winner...the cute puppy, cute kid (as in child), or something that 9/10 of the people on here could easily surpass. Another sure winner is take a photograph of some location few have visited. Regardless, that will be a winner. Those have been my experiences with contests.

Now, in all fairness, part of that may be the manure kicking mentality of the area in which I've lived for the last 61 years. It's changed a bit, but more in the direction of being a facade of rather than genuinely culture oriented. As such, I've stayed away from subjectively adjudicated contests. I've admired the work presented and have used it for inspiration. However, to waste the time and energy to participate? I've better things to do.
--Bob

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

As you say, you can put in lots of effort and skill - and some silly snapshot captures the hearts of the judges.
I really do think that 'success' rides on the back of influencial people and media coverage. People in cities are more successful than people in the most beautiful countryside. Simply because they are seen by more people or attend more 'arty' gatherings.

Moral of the story is......if you need to get rich from photography - spend lots more time cultivating friends.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

An EXCELLENT summation Bob !

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I do photography for a living- been doing it for a long time and I never tire of the job, the work and the art- even when it gets tedious and and routine- not everything I do is art but I try to take an artful and creative approach whenever I can. One of the things that keep me enthusiastic is competition on the business side and the artistic/creative/professional side. It all keeps me on my toes, up to date and aware of the market demands.

I have been at this since I was a rookie apprentice and my first boss and mentor encouraged me to enter into professional print competition at our association. I did not do too badly even on my first attempts- that was encouraging but the most significant benefit that I derived form theses efforts was the education I ascertained from the critiques and by attending attending open judging sessions and observing the judging panels at work. These were not cute dog and pony shows or pretty baby contests. Prints were judge on certain criteria such as viewer impact, composition, lighting or use of existing light, tonality, color harmony, presentation and all over craftsmanship. The most interesting part was/is when judges differ and there is a big scoring spread and there are challenges. Believe me, there are differences of opinion even in conservative associations. Some of theses folks went for some pretty out of the box stuff with all the conventional rules right out the window! Creativity, resourcefulness and and grabbing a great moment scores high!

Nowadays, I still enter theses competitions an serve on judging panels as well. So...here's my philosophy. I don't do this for egotistical purposes- I do it because it is fun and stimulation and being judged by my peers is a good thing..If I do well, I am happy and If I don't- this is the important part- I am not devastated, angry, or upset and consider ti a learning experience. Yes! Judging is subjective sometimes and you gotta take it from who and where it comes and get on with it.

This keeps me in shape- it's like weight training- it keeps me tough. See- when you do this for a living the competition judges are a piece of cake compared to art directors, deserting clients, my wife and kids and even my dearly departed mother-in law. Professional photographers are always under scrutiny- everyone is a critic and you gotta keep them all satisfied because you wanna get paid and bring in referral business- oh- and keep the peace in the family!

Hey- trophies and ribbons are nice in the show room make for good press and PR- but again, believe me, none of this goes to my head. I am my own worst critic and I still have a thirst for learning and improving.

I never get cynical about folks who get ahead in the business because of folks the know or "connections". As far as I am concerned, a photograph's reputation and ongoing business success is as good as his or her last successful assignment!

Wanna make great photographs? Learn your craft, use competition to you advantage, work hard at it, enjoy your successes and learn form you mistakes.

Best regards!