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National Photographic Competition - More entries, poorer quality A bright-eyed boy peeks out in Collin Reid's award-winning entry, "Tek Mi Picture" in the 2001 National Photography Competition organised by the JCDC. Mr. Reid received a gold medal in the colour category.
Georgia Hemmings, Staff Reporter WHILE the level of interest in the National Photography Competition (popularly known as the Festival Photography Competition) rises every year, according to the organisers, the quality of entries may not be staying apace. According to the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), this year, for example, 549 entries were received from photographic enthusiasts - a 29.5 per cent increase over last year's 429. But only three gold, 10 silver, 20 bronze, and 105 certificates of merit were awarded in the four categories for consideration (black and white prints, colour prints, slides, and manipulated prints) - a total of 138. Last year, 211 awards were presented - two gold, seven silver, eight bronze and 194 certificates of merits. "What the statistics is reflecting is that there is a lot of room for improvement among photographers," Chief Judge Denis Valentine told The Sunday Gleaner. According to Mr. Valentine, it was the consensus of the judges that the "overall quality of entries was very poor, and photographers seemingly did not put enough time and thought into making the selections which they did." The selections were judged by a panel comprising Mr. Valentine and photographers Beat Schwab and Franz Marzouca. Mr. Valentine believes that photographers "need to take more time to think about their compositions and not just focus on the technical side of creating good pictures." However, the judges had an easy time deciding on the award-winning prints and slides. Gold medals were awarded in the colour category to Collin Reid for his entry Tek Mi Picture, an endearing image of a bright-eyed youngster boy peeking out; and Jacqueline Bird, whose View of Paradise was imaginatively composed. Julian Dadag captured the sole gold in the slide category with his flora/fauna entry titled Explode. Silver medals were awarded to: Among the interesting bronze winners on display are A Sweet Curve (Owen Minott), Bacchanal in the City (Raymond Davey); Assing Around (William Foster) and Pensive (Jeffrey Carlyle). A tongue-in-cheek still life, titled Tutti Fruty, was presented by Raymond Davey, using fruits in a subtle, provocative way. This earned him a certificate of merit. Merit was also awarded to Jacqueline Bird's colourfully interesting Spices of Life. Late former national footballer Stephen "Shorty" Malcolm and veteran artist David Pottinger are among those whose images are immortalised in adult portraiture, while children's images featured in many entries this year. The organisers explained that the colour category was the most supported one this year with 302 entries, while 51 entries were received in the black and white category, along with 189 slides. The manipulated prints category was under-represented, with only seven entries - three of which received certificates of merit. Mr. Valentine told The Sunday Gleaner that the competition is attracting fewer participants than in its heyday. He said the competition was first held in 1963 and almost all major photographers in Jamaica has had some link to it. The 30-odd-year professional is encouraged, however, by the number of younger photographers who received awards this year. "It is good to see younger photographers receiving medals alongside veterans, some of whom have been entering from the beginning of the contest. This is an encouraging sign." he said. Exposure One suggestion he offered to help improve photographers is the staging of more workshops. "In addition to other regular workshops, it would be useful if the JCDC could organise a session during the exhibition period when the entries (yes, the award-winning entries) could be criticised and analysed," he said. This presentation should be made by one of the judges, he explained, highlighting areas of weaknesses and providing suggestions for improvement. "If we can motivate our photographers from early, the results will be more well thought out 'shots'," Mr. Valentine said. He is encouraging more photographers to participate in the annual competition. "It seems to me that there are more persons using a camera these days, even the man in the park," he said. "These enthusiasts must be encouraged to become part of the competition, which is aimed primarily at unearthing, identifying and developing talent. And who knows where the talent might lie." Among the mix of photographers who received medals in this year's competition are Owen Minott, Christopher Rose, Alfred Maragh, William Foster, Jill Roberts, Julian Dadag, Jacqueline Bird, Jeffrey Carlyle, Raymond Davey, Collin Reid, Muna Issa, Karl Anderson, Enos Barrett, Edwi Besterman, Trevo McCain, and Janos Beyer. Mr. Dadag won the most prizes in the competition - one gold, two silver, two bronze and five certificates of merit - followed by Owen Minott whose multiple entries earned him one silver, two bronzes, and six certificates of merit. Like last year, award-winning entries will be displayed as a "virtual" exhibition on the Internet, and can be viewed by Jamaicans and others worldwide at www.jcdc.org.jm The National Photographic exhibiton will continue at the Mutual Life Gallery until August 17.
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