AMPOTT Judges' Notes, 2005
12/08/07 16:49 Filed in: AMPOTT
Judges’
Notes
AMPOTT Photographic competition, 2004-2005
In offering the judges’ comments, let me begin by noting the high quality generally of the entries in this year’s competition. The work of a judge in a photographic competition is made far more interesting, as well as more difficult, when there are many excellent entries vying for a single award.
Mr Garnet Ifill and I were impressed and generally of one mind when it came to the winners, but there wouldn’t be a need for these words if there weren't room for some advice.
It should come as no surprise that the strongest entries were in the traditional news photographer’s beats, news, sports and features. These were the categories that we laboured over mightily, reviewing the work and steadily winnowing down the entries to the richest images.
The winner of the news category exemplified the oldest news photo guideline of all, “F8 and be there,” a picture that told its story entirely within the boundary of the frame.
The winner of the features category ran to the other extreme of the news photographer’s challenge, working a straightforward story for the unusual, striking image, the photo that was “business as unusual.”
Finding that type of image is difficult for stories that keep returning to the headlines and photographers must continuously work to keep their images fresh and vital in the face of scenes that must begin to blur together after a while.
We found it heartening that despite the unusually large number of photographs of funeral grief, there was one image that went beyond the recording of lament to speak volumes about the loss of a family. The family grouping, encircling the coffin, seemed to have been arranged artfully instead of captured by a keen eye.
Some categories were surprising disappointments. Who would have thought that a Carnival category would seem so lacking in spontaneity, or a fashion category would have wanted so desperately for stunning photographs of beautiful people?
Other categories seem to have been simply misunderstood. The humour category was painfully starved of fun, the facial expression category offered far too many lifeless mugs, and the religious category was, well, politely Christian.
Each of these categories offered opportunities taken by news photographers to intrigue and amuse readers. The sparseness of the entries suggests that photographers need to stretch themselves to produce work that’s worthy of publication that doesn’t necessarily fit the constraints of the news, sports or feature pages.
I’ve watched too many subeditors fight to fill gray pages not to know that a good photo can always find a space in a newspaper.
News photographers must keep at the forefront of their thoughts that their job isn’t to fill pages or attend assignments.
We also encourage you to consider a portfolio of work; perhaps ten photographs made over the course of a year, as the basis for the selection of the Photographer of the Year.
The work of the photojournalist is to see on behalf of the reader. To bring pictures for publication that first, tell the story, then go on to excite and astound the viewer.
Those were the pictures that Garnet and I were asked to seek out, and those are the photos that are being honoured today.
I encourage photojournalists to support their association. A group of like-minded professionals gathered for the common good can, with the right spirit, encourage shared values, a greater sense of camaraderie and foster mutual support.
Garnet and I commend your efforts to pool your resources and share experiences and salute the efforts of your leadership in bringing AMPOTT this far. But there is more to do and Krishna and Tony will need your help to get there.
We thank you for the opportunity to serve as your judges and look forward to even more great images in the future.
AMPOTT Photographic competition, 2004-2005
In offering the judges’ comments, let me begin by noting the high quality generally of the entries in this year’s competition. The work of a judge in a photographic competition is made far more interesting, as well as more difficult, when there are many excellent entries vying for a single award.
Mr Garnet Ifill and I were impressed and generally of one mind when it came to the winners, but there wouldn’t be a need for these words if there weren't room for some advice.
It should come as no surprise that the strongest entries were in the traditional news photographer’s beats, news, sports and features. These were the categories that we laboured over mightily, reviewing the work and steadily winnowing down the entries to the richest images.
The winner of the news category exemplified the oldest news photo guideline of all, “F8 and be there,” a picture that told its story entirely within the boundary of the frame.
The winner of the features category ran to the other extreme of the news photographer’s challenge, working a straightforward story for the unusual, striking image, the photo that was “business as unusual.”
Finding that type of image is difficult for stories that keep returning to the headlines and photographers must continuously work to keep their images fresh and vital in the face of scenes that must begin to blur together after a while.
We found it heartening that despite the unusually large number of photographs of funeral grief, there was one image that went beyond the recording of lament to speak volumes about the loss of a family. The family grouping, encircling the coffin, seemed to have been arranged artfully instead of captured by a keen eye.
Some categories were surprising disappointments. Who would have thought that a Carnival category would seem so lacking in spontaneity, or a fashion category would have wanted so desperately for stunning photographs of beautiful people?
Other categories seem to have been simply misunderstood. The humour category was painfully starved of fun, the facial expression category offered far too many lifeless mugs, and the religious category was, well, politely Christian.
Each of these categories offered opportunities taken by news photographers to intrigue and amuse readers. The sparseness of the entries suggests that photographers need to stretch themselves to produce work that’s worthy of publication that doesn’t necessarily fit the constraints of the news, sports or feature pages.
I’ve watched too many subeditors fight to fill gray pages not to know that a good photo can always find a space in a newspaper.
News photographers must keep at the forefront of their thoughts that their job isn’t to fill pages or attend assignments.
We also encourage you to consider a portfolio of work; perhaps ten photographs made over the course of a year, as the basis for the selection of the Photographer of the Year.
The work of the photojournalist is to see on behalf of the reader. To bring pictures for publication that first, tell the story, then go on to excite and astound the viewer.
Those were the pictures that Garnet and I were asked to seek out, and those are the photos that are being honoured today.
I encourage photojournalists to support their association. A group of like-minded professionals gathered for the common good can, with the right spirit, encourage shared values, a greater sense of camaraderie and foster mutual support.
Garnet and I commend your efforts to pool your resources and share experiences and salute the efforts of your leadership in bringing AMPOTT this far. But there is more to do and Krishna and Tony will need your help to get there.
We thank you for the opportunity to serve as your judges and look forward to even more great images in the future.
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