What makes a photo great?

[Mad Aussie]

From another thread ...

Art is in the perception of the viewer.

That's very true ... I don't how many times I've seen what I think is a great photo get absolutely no attention at all and awards given to photos that to me are not worthly of being looked by sighted people!

Also, I often show my photos in my online galleries to a selection of people and family (some are photographers, some are not) and it's amazing how often they all love different photos in the selection.

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For the purposes of this discussion ... a 'Great' photo will be separated and defined in the following two categories ....

PROFESSIONAL 'GREAT' - Photos 'Great' by Professional Definitions and therefore technically and visually great
(Must have all or some of the qualities listed as a great photo is likely to need several to make it 'Great')

A Professional 'Great' photo has ...

• great content
• good photographic techniques applied
• no bad quality elements such as overexposure etc
• shows the photographer captured the image he was intending to create
• a suggested story or strong focal point
• great printing qualities meaning a full selection of tones from black to white
• no distractions
• good exposure, composition and lighting
• transcends the traditional boundries of the craft and takes it to a new and exciting direction

PERSONAL 'GREAT' - Photos 'Great' by Personal, Emotional, Sentimental Definitions that simply are great regardless of technical aspects
(Must have all or some of the qualities listed as a great photo is likely to need several to make it 'Great')

A Personal 'Great' photo has ...

• great content
• good photographic techniques applied
• appeals to you personally with less emphasis on quality
• shows the photographer went well out their way to capture the image regardless of the quality attained
• sentimental value
• artistic intent and content
• content not usually photographed

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I'm sure there would be more to add to that ... ideas?

I'll update the list as we go.