Picture (too) Perfect - Sony World Photographer of the Year Awards 2014
I went to the Sony World Photographer of The Year Awards (2014) exhibition in London on May 3rd .
"Stunning!" would be my one word review.
The work on display, as you would imagine from an exhibition with such a title, was simply amazing. In every category, whether it was the open category, people or travel, every single photograph was captivating. If you're in London be sure to get to the exhibition to see some of the most engaging photographs that have been curated in one place.
Common Themes Among Successful Photographs
As well as being photographs that were incredibly engaging, captivating, thought-provoking or sometimes shocking, the most awarded photographs all shared some commonalities:
Eliciting an Emotional Response
Some of the most memorable photographs are the ones that make you think. The photographs that make you say "Oh My God" either from the content inside the frame and / or the short caption written next to the print on the wall, explaining what you are seeing.
Photographs placed 3rd or sometimes 2nd in categories need those captions, not to make up for what is missing, but just to add a little context to exactly what it is you are seeing in that photograph. Photographs of famine, domestic abuse, animal cruelty or acid attack victims: the photographs by themselves are perhaps not clear or obvious at a glance. But when the person or the scene you are looking at is explained it can offer another level of appreciation for the photograph you are viewing, the subject within the frame and the photographer who made the photograph.
For me these photographs are successful because they are far more than snap shots, far more than someone's holiday snaps and far more emotionally deep than I've ever seen even the most decorated of wedding photographers capture on a wedding day.
Successful photographs elicit an emotional response in the viewer. That is the first thing that the photographs at this exhibit share.
Stories
Those placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd all have stories behind them. The most successful photographs of course tell their stories all within the frame with the elements included: allowing each viewer to interpret the story their own way. Much, dare I say it, like art.
- A series of photographs depicting the story or domestic abuse in the US.
- A photograph showing drug users, as they are using inside an abandoned building
- Even a cross-section of recently discovered carnivorous plants that have devoured insects.
All of these photographs tell a story of human nature, of relationships, of evolution & change.
Some of these stories are explained in the short captions, again adding further impact and context to exactly what it is you're looking at. Some of the photographs need little, or no explanation.
A successful photograph tells a story.
Visceral. Imperfect. Gritty.
What I would say that stood out for me from my visit, was not so much one piece of work, (although there are a few) but a theme among all of the entries. As a photographer It's a theme that I can relate back to Street photography.
The most awarded photographs and recognised works are not the ones that are the most technically perfect.
In fact, I'd say that those photographs that are seemingly sharper, in focus, well cropped etc are - on average - lower scoring that those that are imperfect.
However, those photographs where the shutter speed wasn't quick enough to produce a perfectly sharp subject, or where the subject had moved into an out of focus area (particularly reportage moments) or where a photographer had limited time in a disaster zone and so made a photograph where the thirds weren't followed or the main subject was in the 'wrong' place: they were the photographs that were the most captivating and moving.
It reminded me of the interview I did with David DuCemin a few weeks back and he said:
"Human emotion will always win out over the technical aspect of a photograph".
David went on to say that as humans we don't resonate with perfection and explained something called the 'too perfect rule' whereby too much sharpness in an image is as bad as blur. Effectively a perfectly clean photograph is fine, but if the moment or the emotion is missing, then what have you got?
The Sony World Photography Awards are not awards for the most noise-free, aberration-free and perfectly composed and beautiful photographs: They're awards for photographers and photographs that were captured because of the moment, the subject and the story and as such the response each photographer evokes in the viewer.
Long story short the technical matters , of course, a good strong photograph makes a picture more pleasing, but don't miss the moment through trying to seek perfection. Just get a shot and do the best to make it pleasing.
Better Late Than Never - Our Labour Story
One of the best things about starting this website is that I can write about more than just weddings here. Over on my wedding photography website I felt very much compelled to only post & blog about wedding-related things rather than this...
Better Late Than Never
My wife and I are currently expecting our second child - a boy! We're over the moon because we've already got Zahra, our 2 year old daughter. Having one of each really is a blessing for us; it's what we have always wanted.
Our son (whose name I'll reveal once he's here with us) was actually due to be born back on December 23rd, 2013...but just like our daughter it seems as though he's going to take us all the way overdue. So tomorrow on January 4th we're booked in for our induction to wake our little man from his slumber so he can greet us and the world.
Our children definitely get their lateness from their mother!
Aishah (my wife) and I were talking about our previous labour with Zahra a few weeks back and it occurred to me that her recollection of the events were 'hazy' to say the least. Aishah wasn't sure how long we were in labour for, couldn't remember when the contractions started or how long they lasted for. When we tell our birth story to our friends it's very much a case of:
Me: "No, that isn't what happened"
Aishah: "Yes it was!"
Me: "No it wasn't, we were sent home first and then went back to hospital that evening"
Aishah: "Oh yeah!"
It can be funny at times to hear Aishah recalling her version, but in truth there was quite a lot about the event that she has forgotten. Perhaps Aishah had tried to put it out of her mind and forget about it, labour was quite stressful for Aishah (and I can see why!). She was utterly amazing the entire time. What Aishah went through to give us our daughter is something I thank her for every day.
I also thank her for the sore knuckle that she gave me when she hit me with the metal gas & air valve! (which she also can't remember doing - coincidentally)
But, this got me thinking - I need to document the labour this time around. I need to have a record of events to show what happened at every step.
Mr Rammell
Mrs Rammell
Live Pictures As It All Happens
I'm a member of a couple of professional photography associations and groups and I'd seen a few other members sharing and mentioning that they'd actually been hired to photograph births! It was something I'd never heard of myself. In fact the idea didn't sit well with me at all at first. However the more I thought about it the more I saw the value in the idea: having one of the most intense, intimate and special moments in your life photographed. Why not?
Why Not Indeed! Well, it is extremely intimate for starters and it is obviously something that you can't have done if you're embarrassed about being seen giving birth, but in our situation it's different because I just so happen to be a photographer. So that solves the problem of having someone else we don't know in the room photographing my wife in extreme pain and high on gas & air
I proposed the idea to Aishah and showed her a few of the more 'tame' photographs that I'd seen from other photographers and Aishah liked the idea. So we're going to do it.
The deal is that I won't photograph anything we don't want other people to see and I'll put the camera down when it all really starts to happen. In between contractions I'll make a photograph or two, but when I'm needed to be sworn at or to have my hand crushed: i'll be right beside her...
So How Will It Work?
When we arrive at hospital on January 4th at 10:00am I'll begin documenting everything both on my DSLR and my iPhone. All the details, the room, the contractions, the monitors: everything that will tell the story of our labour and delivery of our son.
I'll be posting the iPhone photographs to a private & secure gallery right here on the website and sharing the details with anyone who wants to keep up to date with the goings-on. Don't worry, you will not see anything 'full on' as per mine and Aishah's agreement. But you'll get a feel for how far along we are, how long we've been going and what state we're both in. It's a little better than frequent text messages to Mum's and family members!
If you want to follow the progress simply sign up below with your email address and I'll send you both the link and the password to the gallery so you can check back frequently throughout the day: