What makes a great image

Some suggestions on process from Roger.

On receiving images for critique the first thing I do is to look at them all several times and take note of those
with obvious technical or quality issues.
Bad Exposure
Burnt out skies and other areas
Poor Focus in critical areas
Horizons not level
Pixlelated or poor printing
Noisy or over enlarged images
Other obvious faults.

AND UNLESS the image is so stunning that such issues are over ridden these images get temporally set aside for later comparison against the rest of the competition.
YES it is possible to have a great image that is technically poor but this does not happen often.

If evaluating to a theme consider if the image is relative or set it aside.

Look at the competition as a whole and consider each image as either above or below average

Check out the "WOW" factor. Very often the top image stands out immediately.

Check out the "What makes a great image" tab

Too often we hear of judges who have difficulty relating to their audience and displaying prejudice, preferences and attitudes that are not appropriate in a balanced report. There are also the personal aspects of presentation such as staying precise with no waffle , avoiding "pontification" by speaking over the heads of the audience and promoting self-expertise. At the other end of the scale are the techniques for developing confidence in front of what can sometimes be an over critical and cynical audience. I guess that it is all a matter of balance and awareness.

For your interest, some "observations" from PSNZ Panel Judge Brian Cudby FPSNZ, AFAIP, ESFIAP

Start with and keep an open mind.
Find and praise good aspects of each image.
Accept and overcome your own biases and skills.
Recognise that knowledge needs for beginners and Salon workers are different.
Accept that there is nothing new (or very little) new in subject matter.
Address the image NOT the process.
Do not make assumptions.
Ignore / downplay the degree of difficulty in capturing the image.
Avoid being influenced by titles
Look for the presentation of the "usual" in an "unusual way".
Acknowledge / reward creativity.
Look for "Where is the photographer?" - the intangible relationship with the viewer / subject.
Accept that modern cameras can produce sharp, well exposed images.
Beware of digital faults - offer remedies.
The importance of effective use of light.
Take time to read an image.
Does the end result seem to reflect an idea.
Sometimes titles are important, sometimes useful, sometimes unhelpful, sometime useless..
Respect the authors intentions and acknowledge them.

PSNZ Judging Philosophy Group Report March 2010

Report from the Judging Philosophy Group commissioned by the PSNZ Council 2009/10.

Members: Brian Cudby FPSNZ AFIAP ESFIAP Sally Mason FPSNZ Rosita Manning FPSNZ Bob Maysmor
Curator Pataka Gallery Mike Langford FAIPP NZIPP

Terms of Reference:

In September 2009 the Group was asked to prepare a Judging Philosophy that could form a basis for the training and instruction of its judges and evaluators. This was a recommendation from within the Review of Judging that had been
carried out by the Council.

The specific task was to establish guidelines as to what makes for a “successful” photo within the diverse range of styles and genre that are presented by members of the Society.

The Principles:

The intent of the Society is to encourage its members to create successful and personally satisfying
visual communication through the medium of photography. It becomes important to ensure that there is a
standard of judging that is re-creatable using consistent guidelines and principles that are not too restrictive.

Within an image it is “the idea that rules”.

It is the message that is important –the medium supports it. The craft supplies the “building blocks” on which to base the message.

The success of an image is based on how successful the photographer has been in communicating the
idea or concept to the viewer.

For a judge, the interpretation, understanding and appreciation of the “message” is more important than trying to work out what the photographer was trying to say. The judge’s response should be based on how he/she feels about the image and not on trying to make assumptions about how they should be feeling. Each judge will have a different response and this implies that, ideally, a judge should be “open minded” enough to look deeply into the image.

Every photograph should have a concept or idea that will present to the viewer a message that will reflect the visual interpretation of the idea. The success of the image will be dependent on how well the viewer recognises that message.
By setting a mood in the photograph the author will influence feelings and emotion in the viewer. They will seek to do this by using qualities such as lighting, colour, tone, subject matter, depth, transfer of energy and visual tension.

In their deliberations judges may wish to consider what the photograph is about and what the photographer saw that made him/her press the shutter. However only assumptions can be made about this and the level of judgement must rise above that based on guesswork.

Judges should not be influenced by the “process” or by the degree of difficulty in creating the image. Judgement should only be made by assessing the image in front of them and by responding to their feelings toward it.

The judging process along with the values placed on an image should be consistent over all categories and genre of photography whether they be artistic, creative, pictorial or realistic.

The final assessment will result from the reaction and feelings of the viewer and how well the appropriate message is received.

Creativity:

“A view of the different.”

In assessing creativity the judges will consider whether the photographer has found a new way of seeing and thinking
that is distinctive. Does the image show imagination or originality and does it offer the viewer a different perspective
on the “reality of the eye”?

Stepping outside the “square”, crossing the boundaries or breaking the “rules” may bring to an image a freshness of approach that should be welcomed and assessed with an open mind from the judges.

A successful creative image will demonstrate artistry, style and individuality and will communicate the author’s intention.
It will avoid “confusing” the message and will not assume that, because it is different, it must be good.

Judges do not have to like an image, or feel good about it, to reward it. The success will be based on the quality of the message and how well the photographer has presented it.

Technical Qualities (The Craft):

The production of a successful image will have technical qualities that are appropriate to its subject matter and intent. Manipulation has to enhance and strengthen the image by contributing to the message that the author is presenting to the viewer. Elements such as sharpness, depth of field and exposure are there to support the message and must be appropriate and relevant.

Composition and Visual Harmony:

Complementary visual elements will work together and strengthen each other.
The photographer will use techniques involving simplicity, balance, space, and blending of colour and tone.
Discord can lend strength to an image and the idea behind it by evoking emotion and strong feelings.

Presentation and Titles:

The presentation of an image to the viewer should be done in such a way that the message is supported or enhanced. Frames and matts must be neutral and not compete with, or confuse, the message by drawing away the interest or deadening it.

Judges should not be influenced by titles. They should not be required nor encouraged and should not be considered
as part of the evaluation process. It is only the idea and message conveyed by the image that is being judged.

The Judges:

For awards judges to be “qualified” they need to be visually literate and have a love for photography in general.
They should be well “read” on photography and on the wider world of art and have an instinctive appreciation of aesthetics. Having achieved a high level of photographic competence or experience as a teacher of photography alone does not necessarily make for the best judges. They should be open to all aspects of image making – including the thinking behind the image. Judges are required to be eloquent and able to operate as part of a team or in an open forum so that the person whose work is being judged can understand and learn from the comments.

Successful judges will:

- make decisions that are without bias or prejudice.

- start with, and keep, an open mind.

- accept that there is nothing (or very little) that is new in subject matter.

- assess the image, not the process.

- not make assumptions.

- take time to “read” an image.

- evaluate and report in a manner and level appropriate to the contributing group.

- apply a consistency of approach

- respect and acknowledge the author’s intentions.

To Conclude:

“Let the entrants express themselves and their love of life in their photography.
Let the judges applaud them for it.”
Mike Langford

“Every image has one positive aspect, even if it is only having recognised a photographic
opportunity.”
Sally Mason

“A good photograph:
- shows expressive and interpretive integrity,
- is approached and photographed with taste and comprehension
- demonstrates appropriate craft quality and sensitivity of seeing.”
Adapted from Ansel Adams

Alistair McAuslan APSNZ

for PSNZ Council March 2010