Moran Photographic Prize Semi Finalist - Water Fire Summer, Joseph Feil
Apparently not. But the one below is…..
Winner, Moran Photographic Prize 2010 - Cockatoo Is. Ferry, Dean Sewell
There’s been a bit of chatter about town debating the winning image (above) in the 2010 Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize worth $80,000. There’s universal agreement that the winner, Dean Sewell is an exceptional photographer and that the sole judge, Stephen Dupont is also extremely well credentialed both as a photographer and as someone suitable to judge this kind of award.
Unfortunately, there also seems to be fairly unanimous opinion that the winning image is far from the most worthy winner (see the other finalists here) and unfortunately some murmurings about the winner and the judge knowing each other pretty well. Dean was also the winner of this prize in 2009 when it was judged by Andrew Quilty, a member of the well known and tight photographic collective Oculi which Dean is also a member of. Whilst I have no doubt that both judges performed their tasks without favour, it is important for independence to be seen to be present and the structure of the judging of the Moran seems to leave this open to criticism.
In a small photographic community such as Australia, it does seems strange that the biggest prize in photography is selected by one person, and a working photographer at that. It unfortunately puts the Moran organisation in a position where bias can easily be accused, particularly when the judges selection seems to differ from the opinions of so many others. The fact that most established Australian photographers know each others work and can recognise certain images as belonging to photographers they know and respect makes it inherently difficult to judge with an unbiased outlook. In fact even Dean seemed somewhat surprised at the win, declaring in his acceptance speech that “there would be detractors to this image being warranted of a major photographic prize”.
Perhaps the Moran organisation needs to have a look at the structure of the judging, perhaps a panel of 3 judges would be preferable or someone a little more removed from the community which it is judging. In the absence of that, let’s hope someone who admires my work gets selected as a judge for next year!
Anyway, I was pleased to have one of my entries selected as a semifinalist and congratulate Dean on his second win in a row. He is one of Australia’s most respected photojournalists and rightly so. Here’s my entry, you can see lots of great photos selected by Stephen Dupont on the moran website here – http://www.moranprizes.com.au/default.aspx?id=32
Well said Joseph. I hope the message gets through to the Moran Organisation – this is the third year in a row that I can remember the judging being a contentious issue.
Well said Joesph. The Moran Prize is officially a JOKE !
I agree, though the winner is also impressive but the other entries are more deserving to be won of the award..
Mmmm, yes…. another stinker! As the old saying goes, even if there is no implication of impropriety, it’s always best to err on the side of caution… or something like that! Totally inapropriate judging set-up for Moran prize…
um….if I had shot that photograph….I would have thrown it in the trash can on my Mac. If I had entered it ….The photo would not have won the $80,000.
I have scores of photos that are good solid photography…this image CERTAINLY is JUNK….on any level.
It is some time since we viewed the Moran finalists but I recall being touched by a photo of an old man reading a letter on some form of public transport. The old man appears to be pondering on the letter’s content thus providing a rare photographic opportunity. The winning photo could be obtained on any given day and does not evoke, for us, any emotional reaction.
Sorry, but there is one thing that I have come across in every photographic competition I’ve seen, entered or critiqued. Everyone thinks they could have taken a better photo.
Happens ALL the time in art paintings; “my 4 year old could have painted that”.
Some of what you say about judging is correct. Maybe they could review the system. But why? Because someone didn’t win when they thought they should (which would be every photographer apart from the winning one).
This unfortunately is more sour grapes than anything else. I’ve never posted on my blog that I entered a competition, didn’t win, and asked the question (or posed backhanded accusations) about “was the competition legit?”
As you correctly pointed out, everyone knows everyone in the Australian photographic industry.
On the otherhand, there have been situations that even if the winner was legit, they shouldn’t have won, regardless. It simply looks wrong.
I don’t think that is the case here though. I don’t like the photo ( I find it a boring happy snap personally), but I stand behind Stephen DuPont in his choice. Because, … it’s his choice. He likes it, and that’s it.