Photo Essay
OK, so I got a bit of feedback from people about my photo submission dilemma. It only further reinforces my belief that you can't choose which photo is "Best" because everyone chose different photos for different reasons.
I changed my photo submission for the "On Stage" category from the burlesque photo to this one:
I didn't realize this wasn't on my choices on the post where I shared a bunch of photos, but this has always been one of my all-time favorite photos from my band photography. This is something you can't always plan to take... it just happens. I captured it by experimenting with using just the lighting from the stage, rather than using a flash. From this photo, I started experimenting more, and then learned to experiment with delayed flash (which helps with the action shots like this).
I'm now compelled to write a photo essay for JPGMag. I'm going to focus on how it's difficult to choose which photos to submit to contests because what an individual thinks is great may not necessarily mean others will think the same. What one considers to be art all depends on the taste of that person.
I browse the "On Stage" submissions, and some of the photos people submit look completely staged, and sometimes they explain that it is staged. I didn't think that was the point of the contest.
From the JPGMag contest description:
We want to see your photographs that capture performers On Stage. Whether music, dance, comedy, theater, poetry, or magic, show us the photographs that capture performers in their element. Your subject's stage might be bathed in spotlights, or it could be a low-light set for a street performer. Whether the audience buys a ticket or just wanders by, show us performers at work.
I guess performers at work could mean studio shots, since that could be their element... but to me, it means "catch them in the act." right?
But anyway... yeah, I'm going to work on writing a photo essay. I'll probably need some feedback on it when I finish it.
