Friday, January 29, 2010

the futility of contests


ach, god, i do hate losing. that's the reason i don't enter most contests, whether it's for a woman or a trip to the moon.


the choices made in most competitions, say those for photos, depend upon criteria i find offensive, like beauty and sentiment. obviously, i prefer the oblique angle, not exactly cynical, but questioning.


so it is with great trepidation i'm entering a fight for high status: the barnack photojournalism award:




of course, it's total nonsense on my part. yet, i'd love to go to arles, france where van gogh painted extraordinary pictures and be feted by the photo world. nothing ventured, nothing gained, i say.


perhaps it's the six-pack of sierra-nevada that gives me the reckless courage. who cares what the reason! here's my request:














they don't always go for top-heavy political emphasis. each theme i've chosen backed up by dozens of photos, so these particular ones don't have to be the final choice. i would like curator evaluations of what might be strongest, given the requirements.

thanks much for your insight.


wayne



what do i have to lose except my reputation, which doesn't exist!