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| The 2014 GWCT photographic competition's adult category winning image - a superb shot of a Cuckoo. |
Each winter, as part of my birthday present, my daughter
treats me to tickets for the Wildlife photographer of the year exhibition, held
in the Natural History Museum in London. I really look forward to this occasion
as not only do I get to see my daughter - we always have a good lunch together after
viewing the exhibition – but the photography on show is amazing too.
As this year is the 50th year that the exhibition
has been held, there was a selection of previous winners and notable pictures being shown on a loop, which clearly demonstrated just how images have got better and
better as technology has improved over the years. The image quality is now
unbelievably sharp and many of the photos are truly spectacular.
However, that said, both my daughter and I thought that the competition
maybe, just maybe, has started to become a little too “arty-farty” for
its own good. It is though the judges can’t just choose a spectacular
photograph of an animal or landscape that shows off its individual beauty or
indeed, ugliness or brutality. No, it seems that to be chosen as “worthy” of inclusion
for the exhibition, increasingly a photograph has to be taken from a particularly
strange angle, shot in weird light, purposefully blurred or depicting only a
small section of the target species.
Of course photography should be clever, different and often challenge
or even shock the onlooker. But sometimes the most amazing photographs are relatively simple, portraying
an incredible landscape or spectacular individual species in its natural
environment, allowing nature to show itself off, without the photographer manipulating
the outcome too much.
On occasions the “arty” shot can produce the most stunning of
images and should definitely make up a part of anyone’s photography portfolio,
but not in my opinion, become the required format to win prizes.
Don’t forget that the GWCT’s photographic competition is now
open and ready to welcome all your entries – arty and otherwise!! Last year was without doubt the best range and
highest standard that we have ever had – so come on, get out there and get that
shutter whirring! 2015 could see your
entry win first prize!
If you are interested in entering the competition, go to:
I agree totally that some of the WPOTY images are too arty farty especially the winning image which I would have binned. Extraordinary decision in many wildlife photographers view. As a bird photographer myself I wouldn't have been happy with the above cuckoo photo either as it has it's faults, not many I will admit but I wouldn't have chosen it as an overall winner. @Birdblogger
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased that my daughter and I are not the only ones thinking along these lines - thank you for your comments. In defence of the Cuckoo image, which is as you say not a "perfect" image, please remember that this competition is only open to amateurs - ie the general public!
ReplyDeleteWith modern image making (photography now goes way beyond the camera) the line gets blurred I think between reality and art. All great photography should inform and inspire, provoke thought. What does the winning WPOTY say about the Lions? Or are you too distracted by the sky? Which would never appear like that without Photoshop and HDR photography.
ReplyDeleteThe cuckoo image is the more honest image, it's not perfect, but nor are some of the best images in the world.
I couldn't have put it better myself Jon!
ReplyDelete