Portait competition controversy

[Ian]

I was leafing through last week's Amateur Photographer and came across a very interesting article that, basically, was very critical of a fairly prestigious portraiture competition - formerly known as the John Kobal Photographic Portrait Award and also the Schweppes Photographic Portrait Prize, and now (after losing its sponsor) simply the Photographic Portrait Prize. Selected entries were exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery (until 18th Feb, so not much time left).

AP's Bob Aylott and Ben Brain don't pull any punches... anyone else see this article?

Ian

[Stephen]

Re: Portait competition controversy

(snipped)

.....................anyone else see this article?

Ian

Nope, but if the winners are anthing to go by I reckon Toms picture would have been in with a geat chance

[DTD]

Re: Portait competition controversy

I read the article and found some of the points it raised pretty interesting.

A lot of people don't like contemporary photography, because much of it doesn't follow the accepted norms of 'craft'. I don't really see that as much of an argument. Most photography doesn't have anything to say, and that's fine, it doesn't have to.

I think English people are pretty suspect of anything that might sniff of art anyway. And I'm not totally immune, I do suspect some stuff I see in the BJP might be a case of the Emperors New Clothes, but then again if I read Practical Photography I've fell asleep by the time I've got 3 pages in.

[Ian]

Re: Portait competition controversy

Do you think the winner

[DTD]

Re: Portait competition controversy

Do you think the winner

[coupekid]

Re: Portait competition controversy

I was leafing through last week's Amateur Photographer and came across a very interesting article that, basically, was very critical of a fairly prestigious portraiture competition - formerly known as the John Kobal Photographic Portrait Award and also the Schweppes Photographic Portrait Prize, and now (after losing its sponsor) simply the Photographic Portrait Prize. Selected entries were exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery (until 18th Feb, so not much time left).

AP's Bob Aylott and Ben Brain don't pull any punches... anyone else see this article?

Ian

I cant beleive it.

I actually kept clicking around trying to find the picture, it took me a while to realise that the snapshot I was looking at won 12grand!

In my eyes, they are nothing more than snapshots. Being honest, I see little talent in the the first four pictures, especially the snapshot of the lady on a chair infront of a blown out window!

Second place is OK, but third and fourth are a joke.

Sorry......just being honest!

[Tinka]

Re: Portait competition controversy

Do you think the winner

Well, I would have thought That I have snapshots far better than those in my family albums and photograph archives, but then who am I to judge,? no wonder they have lost their sponsers..

[Archangel]

Re: Portait competition controversy

Apart from the shot that won I don't see what the rest of the runner up photos have to do with Portaiture.
As far as the winner shot is concerned, I think photography has been misunderstood by many. To me it looks just like any other click shot that anybody could take anywhere and easier during some vacation on the street or on the beach.

If this is the case then I should think participating in the next portraiture competition with something like this to win the 12.000.





George

[Tinka]

Re: Portait competition controversy

Hi George,
Go On Av a Go, I dare ya.

[Archangel]

Re: Portait competition controversy

Hi George,
Go On Av a Go, I dare ya.

Indeed. And this shot was 12X zoom natural. I didn't have time to sit, discuss and persuade the "victim" to pose

George

[rogleale]

Re: Portait competition controversy

In actual fact Ian, I think it's rubbish, and not even well posed.
Roger

[jsu]

Re: Portait competition controversy

I approached the exhibition with some trepidation, last year's event was surrounded by controversy as well. Having spent some time at the gallery looking at these prints I was surprised at how good they were. Sure they aren't chocolate box images, but they weren't supposed to be and I don't think any of them could be described as happy snappy. Go see and then judge. Whether they are worth twelve grand? I'd take it.

John