Iceland Follow-up – Photo assessments

I had a difficult time preparing the Iceland blog, mostly because of the photos. While I was generally pleased with the results, if I were to objectively assess the photos, I would give many of them a C, a few a B, only 1 or 2 an ‘A’, with only 1 A* / A+ photo.

In retrospect, many of the photos included in the blog are “I was here” shots. They are technically competent depictions of the scene in front of the camera, but they don’t see beyond the obvious, which for me is the mark of an engaging and compelling photograph. For most of the photos, the word “illustrative” comes to mind. Thank goodness Iceland is so forgiving. It is so dramatic that even a “meh” photograph has visual merit and the potential to engage the viewer.

Being responsible for a group and being in a ‘coach tour’ situation has that effect on photography. Rarely did I have more than a few minutes to devote to thoughtful, more interpretive photography, hence the dearth of ‘As’. However, this was not a photography tour. My mission, to introduce a group of active and enthusiastic teens to the thrills and challenges of foreign travel in a captivating and adventurous location—and bring them all back alive and well—was a complete success.

The ‘C’ photos:

Technically competent, illustrative in nature; the kind of photo where you go “Nice”, then scroll past.

The ‘B’ photos

Technically competent, with some interpretive value. More than nice to look at, the viewer will spend a little longer with ‘B’ images, perhaps to examine details.

The ‘A’ photos

More interpretive than illustrative, ‘A’ images show some personality and cause viewers to stop and ponder. They engage the viewer, if only for a few moments. These would be considered for printing and framing and exhibition, more or less held in reserve

The A* / A+ photo

To me, an A* / A+ images go well beyond a textbook capture, verging on the abstract. They engage the viewer and compel them to think beyond the where? to the how? and why?, perhaps even the what? It is these images that are instantly worthy of printing and framing and exhibiting. In this case, I have two variations on the same theme.

Thanks for reading!

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