Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2012, Frank Hallam Day, USA / „Alumascapes“

There are a lot of submissions in there I liked. Some that I like a lot. There are many that don't float my boat. I didn't look at everything because the site is very poorly designed and next to impossible to navigate. I'm not going to see all the images because I'm simply not going to waste that much time trying to navigate that horrible mess.

I must say I can't understand why the winner was picked. It's completely mystifying. I must be missing something.

No Titled weirdly, yet provocatively abject horror-like, but ends well
Be Strong, Show Your Face Beautiful portraits, brave people, perhaps some disturbing stories we will never know
Smoke stories whimsical, enchanting, beautiful
 
I like these. They would look great shot with an s2. I'm glad they didn't pick some b rate random assortment of "street" images by another HCB pretender. Leicas are cameras, not their own genre of photography.
 
There are dozens of photos right in our forum's gallery to impress the majority of the members here more than those that had been elevated to deserve such a prestigious award.

(There are photographs to impress us right in the first seconds to agree with our feeling of "appreciation", there are photographs to make us scratch our heads long to figure out what they mean for us after falling short of arousing something noteworthy in us. A good photograph does not need any bla bla to be understood; it should accomplish its communication through visual language... )
 
Oscar Barnack Winner 2012

Oscar Barnack Winner 2012

First, I want to say I support most photographic creative endeavors.

However, given the status of this contest, I have to say I was "surprised" by this year's winning entry.

Perhaps I misunderstand the continuing theme for the Oscar Barnack Award. In the past, winners have ranged from great photojournalism to what can only be classed as "snapshots" of the world.

I wonder how Selgado's or HCB's photos would have faired in the latest contest?

Perhaps contest judges feel the need to reward "new" or "avant-garde" work as opposed to traditional Leica photography.

If so, why?

If a blank, white canvas promotes discussion and critique, does that make it a winning work of art?
 
There is nothing "new" about this. Those photos are representative of the current trend of "a coherent set = show me ten copies of the same photo".

Today's photo jurysphere show as much imagination as their choices: bland, repetitive, and loves to play it "safe" (in a fashion-show kind of way, where wearing the ugliest outfit is considered "refreshing").

The Leica Oskar Newcomer 2012 Award shows the kind of cliches expected from a photography student who finds the way to game the system. Leica chose this kind of photography to showcase their B&W M9; the 2011 winner had very similar shots.

They like the same old same old stuff. They lack the eye to see a set without the need of a programme. It is also a reaction to the "democratization of photography" (read: infiltration of the non-graduate). Most jurors are trying to corner the market from what they perceive as encroachment.

It is very sad, indeed. I wish they actually found new talent without having to resort to such blatant contempt for talent. There were many entries this year that mind-boggingly were passed over in favour of these two laureates.
 
loquax ludens said:
I didn't look at everything because the site is very poorly designed and next to impossible to navigate. I'm not going to see all the images because I'm simply not going to waste that much time trying to navigate that horrible mess.
Click to expand...


Web design is usually an after-thought. The tragedy is, that usually good web design is trumped by big-wigs' "oooh! I have this great idea instead..." and "who cares? we're not going to be paid for this".

I guess that's also a problem that jurors face: bombardment of overloadedness of informativity (yes, that's not correct EngleAsh)...which may also explain why the Internet's Shock Factor comes into play: he who screams the loudest gets noticed. I guess he whose shots boggle the brain the most are remembered by the juror the best.
 
I am fairly certain this was post processed preferably the corners of the picture and the tree leaves anti aliased.

Having said that, I thought post processing was not allowed in the Barnack Award.

THis is shoddy
 
Gabriel M.A. said:
....... Those photos are representative of the current trend of "a coherent set = show me ten copies of the same photo".

Today's photo jurysphere show as much imagination as their choices: bland, repetitive, and loves to play it "safe" (in a fashion-show kind of way, where wearing the ugliest outfit is considered "refreshing")...
Click to expand...

Just out of curiosity: I indeed want to know/learn about this new trend: What's the point in this new trend? Why they repeat the same photo multiple times? Or are there minute differences amongst the pictures so that an "array" could accomplish what single one could not do? Thank you.
 
well, I wouldn't have thought to do that.

at the same time, it's not so jarring that I believe it's genius work that I just am not ready for. it just looks like an RV in the swap shot with a flash to me.

edit: I really liked that "show me your face" set.
 
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120806

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120806

Unbelievable! Leica Award shows it panders to the "art" group where if you don't get it you are stupid.. i know i'm the kid at the showing of the Emperor's New Clothes! The art folk talk about all sorts of thing but the subject sucks!
The pix all the same done in 3 mins, sorry longer, longer exposures.
The whole focus of Leica is now somewhere other than photojournalism, documentary or even pure recording. What with Hermes fashion, a photographer used to demonstrate the new Monochrom who shoots only "Black" and "White" and nothing in between--GRAY! OH maybe all the pubic shots of a "lonely" man.
Sure there are many ways to photograph. Here on RFF or any forum, there is way more interesting photos.
These pix are boring! What message?
 
i have never, in my life, heard any photographer, at any gallery tell someone 'they are stupid because they don't get it'.

all this 'art folk', 'hip kid' and judgement business here is disappointing. there is no box around photography or Leica and remember, all these 'art kids' are actually photographing, printing and showing their work. putting in the work necessary to do this. supporting others who do.

regardless if you like it, this crowd is doing more for photography than a bunch of close minded folks discussing what 'real' photography is on the internet.
 
Won't comment on the actual winner, but the new comer looks alot like a cross between ripping off anders petersen and the kid who won last year.
 
emraphoto said:
i have never, in my life, heard any photographer, at any gallery tell someone 'they are stupid because they don't get it'.

all this 'art folk', 'hip kid' and judgement business here is disappointing. there is no box around photography or Leica and remember, all these 'art kids' are actually photographing, printing and showing their work. putting in the work necessary to do this. supporting others who do.

regardless if you like it, this crowd is doing more for photography than a bunch of close minded folks discussing what 'real' photography is on the internet.
Click to expand...

Thank you!


ps: I may be one of those 'art folk' who 'get it', but I am not apologizing for it.
 
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1912778#post1912778

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1912778#post1912778

Sorry i offended some "art" people.
i have had many exhibitions and done much work, for money and glory. i have taught photography for a government sponsored site towards a new country and democracy. i have lectured at a number of institutions., colleges and schools plus workshops. I taught about "seeing" images but was advised that i should stick to technical..makes for better employees.i told the students to study and research the history of photography AND Art. Not knowing the past,"they would re-invent the wheel".
i am tired of seeing mundane work addressed like something it is not! It is a few pictures of a campsite at nite! i'd rather have seen some photographer win, for capturing the "Spirit of Youth" by snapping A McDonald's Birthday party or two with a Holga.
Politeness was not needed here. The award should be for something really important! Look at the news headlines. Millions wiped out financially by corrupt money people backed by governments. "Cutting" back another catch phrase, with diminished taxes and of course services. These are important issues. Not a trailer park of those who have an aluminum tank.We never see the inhabitents!They could be Martians.
Flickr, Tumblr etc., all one can do is "like". Most pix fall into some sort of category and many bodies of work are truly remarkable!
The Art Colleges and include the photographic ones are geared to producing workers for corporations. A University degree used to mean a learning process that include a Liberal Arts program. Now it's all about business. Art dies!
We are the custodians of an art form. Defend it from being mundane and boring! A camera can be a great tool for taking note and making a change. Lets begin by telling the ones who awarded the prize, that it is a poor choice!
I see some of you like the series. i am pleased for you. i thought the Oscar Barnack Prize was awarded for outstanding work.
On these grounds HCB, Reza, Salgado would not make it the entry form.
 
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120806

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120806

I have spent the last few hours between my posting, exposing a film and now washing, going to Leica's site and seeing many,many submissions. Sadly only a few merit being shown. So many appear so trivial. Please go see for yourself. The pix are really small, typical Leica Gallery. Sad! Comparing to Flickr or Tumblr, or on "RFF forums" and the smaller "photo.net" a weekly showing of Nikon, Canon etc users, show many more and better work.Viewed also at decent magnification. True not a body of work.
Go to photographer links and we really see GOOD stuff.
 
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