Briefs given for each Category.

[AmberFleur]

Having seen the shortlisted entries for several of the categories now, I cannot help but wonder how the judges have decided that they fit the brief given for the category in question.

In the Portrait category, for example, the brief was that 'Images should reveal their personality and enable the viewer to really connect with them.'

The fact, therefore, that one of the shortlisted entries is of a girl with a bag on her head, seems a rather odd choice!

I was also rather at a loss as to how an image of a television or cctv on a wall, fulfilled the brief for the Documentary category.

I have no wish to attack the photographers themselves, but simply to ask how the judges decide that these types of images fulfil the briefs given for each category. I know these things are subjective, but considering the large number of excellent entries for each category, some of the shortlisted choices are somewhat surprising ( at least in my humble opinion).

Does anyone else think that the briefs of the various categories don't seem to be fulfilled in some shortlisted entries.

Once again, I'm not trying to attack individual photographers - just wondered what others think about this issue.

[russbarnes]

Agreed I have a feeling there is no right to appeal however - this is one of the most subjective competitions I've EVER taken part in.

[Carolyn Mendelsohn]

It is important to look at the widest definition of photography, and that includes work by photographic artists.
http://www.marysadowling.co.uk/ etc
The kind of work that would fit into a contemporary art gallery, within a series, rather than work that you would have printed on a card or put onto a poster. Photography covers so many different areas, it would be a shame if the judges excluded some because they are not popular with the general public.

I consider myself to be ok at photography. I love it with my heart and soul. If I enter a competition, I do not expect to get shortlisted and am delighted if I am. Entering competitions helps me edit and select and look at my work more clearly, so on that level it is so useful. I appreciate the work of others even if it is not my cup of tea.

Let us leave selection to the judges, and trust in their judgement and experience.

[Flashman_]

I thought that the brief in a photo competition was paramount, and interpreting that brief in an original way is the difficult bit.
However there seems to me to be a lot of pictures that simply stray too far or simply do not meet the brief IMHO. Do the judges think people are being cleverly ironic by entering portraits that show no connection, or joy that has a portrait of a less than joyful child? Maybe I miss the point but photography is about communication, if the story being told has to be explained then the picture has failed!
Perhaps to get on in these judges minds I should have uploaded to "Britain inspired" section a picture of some old socks with a US flag motive on and holes, in an ironic "arty" statement about UK.

[amk1977]

I agree that some of the images shortlisted, while being perfectly good in their own right, caused me to raise and eyebrow and left me somewhat perplexed as to how they fitted the respective briefs too. I appreciate that competitions of this nature are subjective and the judges are always looking for something unique or a creative "outside of the box" interpretation on a theme but, at the same time, those images should still convey to the viewer what is set out in the brief.

Those that do, usually win competitions as they cause the viewer to look at things from a different perspective or make such a visual impact that it evokes emotions and provokes thought. I've gone back to the particular shortlisted images I've struggled with several times, with the aim of viewing them in a different mood or frame of mind but as yet, some still have me scratching my head lol.