​It’s that time of year again! Photographers in the UK and from further afield are getting their entries into Landscape Photographer of the Year (LPOTY) - those that are organised have done it already, some are still prevaricating, others are saying they don’t intend to enter, and some just aren’t interested! I didn’t enter last year but decided to give it another go this year. In the past I think I’ve tried to think about what the judges might be looking for - that approach didn’t work very well ;) and so this year, I’ve just entered what were some of my favourite images of the last year or two.
Whitby harbour and twin piers on a showery summer’s evening
I have to say I don’t have the best record in competitions ending in OTY - though there is the one notable exception of Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) - I entered the image below into the one shot category in 2010 and was delighted to be commended for this and to have the image on show at the RGS later that year, as well as published in the subsequent book. Interestingly, TPOTY allows you to enter images both online and by sending in an A4 sized print. I opted for the latter, knowing that my image might not make the desired impact at 800 pixels wide. I’m pretty sure it would not have made it through had I not sent in the print. With a 100% track record in this particular competition, I’m loathe to blot my copybook but suspect I will enter again this year, assuming I find I have suitable images that meet the criteria and don’t break the rules.
Lone skier, Rondane National Park
Last year, LPOTY came under a lot of fire for initially choosing a winner who was then proven to have broken the rules. I won’t cover old ground by going into details - it is well documented for those that don’t know the story but, suffice it to say, there is some concern amongst photographers this year to ensure their entries meet the criteria for the chosen category. It is perhaps a bit of a grey area but I’m pretty confident that most are worrying more than is necessary - the judges just want to make sure we don’t have a repeat of last year’s controversy. I’m confident that all the images I’ve entered meet the criteria - it’s quite clear to me that exposure blends are allowed, for example - so I have happily entered these into the Classic category. I’m far less confident that any of my images will get shortlisted, or even get placed. This is not false modesty on my part, nor is it a lack of confidence in the quality of the images I have entered. It is simply because a competition is inevitably subjective. Not making it through is no disgrace - by the same token, I suppose we shouldn’t get too excited if we are successful? Or so logic would tell us, but I think we all know logic goes out of the window at times like this! ;) If I needed proof about just how subjective competitions can be, then I got just that when I entered this year’s Best Shots competition. The first round of this competition is scored by three separate judges. So for each photograph that you enter, you get three different scores with no cross referencing between the various judges. I entered five images and the scores varied enormously. I think the biggest difference was for the image below, with one judge giving it 93/100 and another scoring it at 69. To be fair, it’s the sort of image that I would expect to divide opinions but, nevertheless, those varied scores were indicative of the whole judging process. I say this not as a criticism but purely to make the point about subjectivity. For the record, I did get one image shortlisted but it didn’t make the final cut.
Abstract patterns, Cutty Sark
I also got some interesting written feedback earlier this year from a well known, international competition I had entered last year. Three of my images were shortlisted but, again, didn’t make the final selection. However it seems this particular judge was less than enthused about some of the landscapes I’d entered and offered what I’m sure was well-meaning advice. Unfortunately this advice was also rife with typos and the tone was patronising at best! Amongst the little snippets I took away were: not to place my horizon half way up an image and to study the work of Constable! ;) I’m quite happy to study a bit of Constable but I’m afraid I’m going to continue placing the horizon wherever I see fit for each individual photograph!
Millpond, Isle of Arran
So why do we put ourselves through all this? Speaking personally I know it is simply for the rewards that can result in winning a competition. And of course that’s why we all like to make a bit of noise when we are successful - so, should I by any chance get anywhere in this year’s LPOTY, I will certainly let you all know! I’m not holding my breath though ;)
