As photographers we sometimes need reassurance and feedback from our peers. This critiquing is a valuable learning process for an Artist. The exchange if ideas allows us to refine our craft and questions our methods. We need to remember that our image will be viewed from the minds eye based on personal knowledge and experiences. The more open we are to utilising this process the more we will discover about the general perception our image conveys. The more we fine-tune our skills and composition the more eloquent the image statement will be.Along with the benefits of this critiquing, there can also be negative aspects influencing the artist. This happens when the photographer forgets to recognise that other people base their viewing on there own personal knowledge, experience and preference. This placed into the realm of a competition puts a really negative spin onto the process. These Judges are asked to give the image a ranking based on the relationship to other photographs in the competition. It will be important, for the photographer to remember that the Judge’s personal bias plays into this ranking. With this kept in mind these competitions can be fun and rewording. However; when the Artist begins to anticipate the Judge’s predisposition and caters to that disposition by sacrificing his personal style or subject mater he has lost all. I feel strongly about the importance of keeping the art of photography strong with personal voice. Why give this up to conform to local trends and expectations.
Photography should not be considered a competitive process. Instead one of seeing and sharing your personal experience. The greater your ability to utilise the skills involved in this art form, the more eloquent and clear will be your communication.
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