John Cogan reflects on photography world judging following Harry Hall’s and Ian Stafford’s masterful assessments of the 2012 2nd Progress Print competition entries
“Now, don’t get me wrong, we’re all grown up and mature enough to accept that the judging process is subjective and, at times, unfair. This is life after all. Yet, what happened last Thursday night restored my faith in the system. Both Harry and Ian had obviously taken care to spend time with each photograph beforehand. Their comments were positive and encouraging and analytical. At times they were almost forensic. Though I had no images submitted I was included in the dialogue these two judges developed over the evening. It became a workshop, a master class even (as Harry said at one stage).
As the chairs were being stacked and the hall cleared Harry admitted that there was no way he could tell anyone in the DPS how to take a picture: “They already know all that!” His comments on each picture were recognition of the skills of each author. This shows a level of mutual respect which engendered a confidence in the process and allowed both Harry and Ian to do their judging effectively and with professionalism.”
Read the whole essay in Articles on the DPS Website.
For anyone interested in becoming a judge (and it can be very rewarding!), be aware there will be an NCPF Judges Seminar 14th October 2012. http://www.ncpf.org.uk/index.php?id=ncpf-events
Ken Holland’s book Looking at Photographs, A Personal View of Appraising and Judging Photographs is available from Blurb.com and DPS members can borrow the club copy
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