National Photographic Portrait awards: Australia

[GregL]

Here's a bit of controversy. The National Photographic Portrait awards have been decided in Australia.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/gallery/0,22056,5038019-5010140,00.html#

First one in the gallery was the winner. $AUS25,000.

One commentation stated if I saw that picture in my digital camera, I would have deleted it. Lucky the successful photographer didn't. What do others think?

[MoinMoin]

Well, after reading your post I first thought, it was the competition's looser, who gave that comment.
After seeing the winner's photo I totally agree with that opinion.
I know, art is difficult to estimate, but in this case I really can't see any "art". The boys are looking sooo unnatural (like dead ones) :eek:. No, absolutly not my taste and not worth the money!

[JAS_Photo]

He held the camera somewhat level. :)

Nope, I don't get it. I get almost all of the others but not that one.

[casil403]

After looking at all the other entries, all I have to say is...........HUH?

I'd be curious to know the judges' reasoning behind picking that shot as the winner over the others?

[jjeling]

Im not saying it is a bad shot. It won $25,000.

However, this is a picture I would have thrown out if I took it. Not sure what the "thought" was behind the picture. Also not sure what the man was trying to "say." Looks kind of like
"here are my two boys standing next to a hot tub." Nothing about the image is intriguing or captivating. I like the exposure, and tones in the image, but that does not overcome the lack of composition or story this picture tells.

[EJC]

I don't get it either. Who was the judge? ...His Mom???

[kat]

Ha ha. I've learnt recently that you just never know anymore.

[casil403]

Kinda reminds me of that typical "family holiday to Walleyworld" shot where Mum or Dad takes that obligatory first photo of the kids in the pool at the Holiday Inn or Best Western....lol!
Then subjects the rest of the family to "the slide show" when they get back!

[AcadieLibre]

It is so subjective who can really say which photo should have won. I don't care for it, or many of them but thats just my bias. I prefer a certain look and type of photography. That just misses for me, but I wasn't a judge so they chose what they chose I don't see what is controversial about it winning, it did.

[tirediron]

I would really like to know the rationale behind that image winning.

[Gem]

I don't see what's so great about the image. Looks pretty ordinary to me....contests can be weird.

[F8&Bthere]

For me it's like the end of nearly every episode of America's Funniest Home Videos- the most unspontaneous and unfunny video of the final three always wins, and I go "huh?"

[GregL]

Here is an excerpt from the Sydney Morning Herald

National Portrait Gallery curator Christopher Chapman, a member of the judging panel, says Kenne's photograph is powerfully direct.

"We were impressed by the potent connection that is evoked between the subjects in the photograph and the viewer," Dr Chapman said in a statement.

"We also appreciated the complex compositional qualities and sculptural sense of space within the photograph, and its technical excellence."

Kenne was born in Sweden but now divides his time between Sydney and New York.

The 43-year-old said he was thrilled to win the prize, but it had taken 15 years of hard work.

If I can find anything more offical I'll post it.

[F8&Bthere]

...Kenne's photograph is powerfully direct.

"We were impressed by the potent connection that is evoked between the subjects in the photograph and the viewer," Dr Chapman said in a statement.

"We also appreciated the complex compositional qualities and sculptural sense of space within the photograph, and its technical excellence."...


Are we looking at the same photo? It's the one with the two boys by the indoor hot tub, right? No disrespect intended toward Mr. Kenne or Dr. Chapman but I keep going back to it and trying to get something out of it, but every time I come up blank... and believe me, I understand the concept of subtlety in art.

[JAS_Photo]

Lol, I think this where art criticism becomes a parody of itself, Gem.

[Marko]

Shots 4,8, 10, 11 are superior to the winning shot IMO.
The winning shot is good, particularly with regard to shapes and lines but doesn't deserve the win imo.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/gallery/0,22056,5038019-5010140-4,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/gallery/0,22056,5038019-5010140-8,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/gallery/0,22056,5038019-5010140-10,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/gallery/0,22056,5038019-5010140-11,00.html

[LeAngel]

Doesn't do anything for me. :(

[JAS_Photo]

I like 3, 8, 4 and 12, in that order. So I guess this just shows how subjective 'art' is. The winning photo is just plain disturbing to me in a vague inexplicable way. Photo 3 is plain interesting, lots of stuff going on in here but I think the message is pretty clear. (Basically, the aloneness of all humans.) 8, I love the curves and light. The form of the slightly defocused body flows like across the frame in the way Dwayne's waterfall shots do. 4 is a classic portrait in a Masters painterly sort of way. The face itself is a treat for the eyes; so much to look at in that face. And 12, well it is a jumble but it makes you smile. It is in the category of eccentric colorfulness. Your eyes are all over the picture looking for all the 'secret' details that slowly reveal themselves. :)

[Mad Aussie]

That photo would have struggled to make my top 10 out of those 15. In fact I'd be hard pressed to choose a top 5 out those examples at all.

What's controversial about the winner AL? Well in my opinion, plenty. It lacks any punch at all. It even lacks a focal point. What type of portrait lacks that? A bad one I'd say.
It has distractions. Poor composition in many facets.

Aside from that quick analysis, there are simply much stronger images in contention.

I can think nothing other than that contest is a joke. Very poor form by Nat Geo.

[F8&Bthere]

...The winning photo is just plain disturbing to me in a vaque inexplicable way...

Yes, this is why I keep trying to go back to see it again with a fresh perspective. To see if there's some subtle moodiness I missed. But it actually just looks like a spontaneous shot that no special effort went into setting it up or composing. It's like it was as simple as a photo enthusiast dad sitting by the pool with his camera and he thought it'd be fun to interrupt the kids in play with a loud "HEY!" and they looked over half stunned, half worried, very serious expressions that probably lasted only a few seconds, he snapped, and the rest as they say is history. It certainly doesn't appear to be the product of "15 years of hard work" or whatever the guy said.

[Lovin]

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
No way ! That couldn't be the winner.
I would delete that photo right away, if it was in my camera.
I'm still shocked about their decision.
Anyway, I'm not an expert, but...

[Gem]

I wonder how the kids feel about it http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-confused002.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

[jjeling]

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
No way ! That couldn't be the winner.
I would delete that photo right away, if it was in my camera.
I'm still shocked about their decision.
Anyway, I'm not an expert, but...

Maybe thats why this image won. I think any competent photographer would have tossed this image. Seeings as how photographers try to pick their best for Nat Geo, this stood out among the thousands of personal bests' of many photographers. The judges were so wrapped up in the contest and judging such great images, this image stood out the most. With eyes closed, it was the one image they remembered the most, and translated into $25,000! :lightbulb

hahaha, yeah right, but thats the best explanation I can figure out.

[casil403]

I wonder how the kids feel about it http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-confused002.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)Hmmmmm...."Daddy's gonna buy us a trip to Disneyworld! :highfive:"....is what I think they're feeling!

Ah well....this proves art really is subjective.
Personally I liked entry of the guy without legs best....thought that shot moved me the most.

[Mad Aussie]

Hmmmmm...."Daddy's gonna buy us a trip to Disneyworld! :highfive:"....is what I think they're feeling!

Ah well....this proves art really is subjective.
Personally I liked entry of the guy without legs best....thought that shot moved me the most.
I think I liked the woman in the dress and veils I think it was ... loved the lighting of that.