And the $50,000 Scotiabank 2019 Prize in Photography goes to...

[luxborealis]

...Canadian photographer Stephen Waddell for Sunflower, 2018.

What do you think? Article from TheStar

In respect of copyright, I have not posted the image here; you’ll need to see it online.

[RSL]

They wouldn't want to know what I think.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

I would love to read the statement by one or more of the jurors on what exactly they see in this photograph.
Yes, it has sunflowers, and it has s person.

I wouldn't be moved to hang it on my wall.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

Is this some sort of weird Canadian humor? $50K for that snap (or shall I say "crap")!?

As for copyright, no problem to post it here for discussion, as it is exactly what the fair-use doctrine has in mind (at least here, in the U.S.)

[fdisilvestro]

I would love to read the statement by one or more of the jurors on what exactly they see in this photograph.

Believe it or not, renowned photographer Edward Burtynsky, who is supposedly the jury chair, said this:

“Stephen’s refined photographic explorations evoke his keen awareness about the poetics of space and the history of painting, while also walking the line between documentary and intimately personal visualizations,”

[MattBurt]

Weird, I don't get it.

[32BT]

Ah, yes, I do get it. It's contemporary and you need to see the body of work as Andrew M keeps telling us. For the lazy amongst us, here is a quick link: http://www.monteclarkgallery.com/artist/stephen-waddell/

If Burtynsky tells us it's worthy, then we'd better attempt to give it a second thought with an open mind.

Perhaps I can get Da Beat to enlighten us with some drivel later today...

[drmike]

It's the body of work thing. This shot is consistent with many of the photographs provided by that link.

Taken in isolation I'd say at best it's challenging and really only works if the composition is pretty much perfect and the colour pallette is pretty much perfect.

You do have good colours, they do work together and they are varied.

You do have repeated diagonal lines from the various cables.

Hosepipe lady is standing surrounded by ever spreading pool of water - which is of her own making. And, stating the obvious, the lower area is well bounded by the kerb. The woman's stance looks 'just right' as well.

If you're a story type person you might ask yourself why this riotous border is there. Clearly there's a big wall or fence behind so you won't get benefit from the property it's the boundary for.

The houses don't seem relevant except they give the context but if you crop it or cover them up it loses all balance. Which probably suggests the composition has been thought about so snap may be a little harsh.

I notice it's a big print and I think that would help. Piddly images on a screen maybe don't do it justice.

I wouldn't have thought to take that photograph. I wonder if it was posed.

Mike

[Rob C]

They wouldn't want to know what I think.

They wouldn't want to know what we both think!

[Rob C]

Believe it or not, renowned photographer Edward Burtynsky, who is supposedly the jury chair, said this:

If you are part of the gig you have to assume certain obligations... or reject that gig.

[Rob C]

Ah, yes, I do get it. It's contemporary and you need to see the body of work as Andrew M keeps telling us. For the lazy amongst us, here is a quick link: http://www.monteclarkgallery.com/artist/stephen-waddell/

If Burtynsky tells us it's worthy, then we'd better attempt to give it a second thought with an open mind.

Perhaps I can get Da Beat to enlighten us with some drivel later today...

Is it a prize for a single image or for a series, though?

Rob

[32BT]

Is it a prize for a single image or for a series, though?

Rob

Series probably:

Scotiabank Photography
Award Nominees

Candidates may live and work anywhere in the world, and must have Canadian citizenship.

Eligible nominee(s) should demonstrate:

• Excellence and inventiveness in photographic narrative and art form
• Singularity of vision integrated with the highest level of technical expertise and quality production
• Commitment to a career in photo-based art and demonstrated potential for growth and evolution Meaningful and relevant form and content with capacity to engage a broad audience
• Potential to communicate ideas effectively on a national and international stage
• National profile and broad history of exhibition and publication
• Completed and ongoing projects are accepted

[faberryman]

Ah, yes, I do get it. It's contemporary and you need to see the body of work as Andrew M keeps telling us. For the lazy amongst us, here is a quick link: http://www.monteclarkgallery.com/artist/stephen-waddell/

Okay. I still don't get it, or much of contemporary photography. I guess that is my shortcoming.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

Looks like our Ivo might get rich next year

[Rob C]

Okay. I still don't get it, or much of contemporary photography. I guess that is my shortcoming.

I'd be more inclined to think that there's not a helluva lot to get; it's perhaps when you do start to imagine that you do get these banalities and confuse them with art that you should worry.

It's the same with street street: some guys do it and you understand they have a point of view and an eye, whereas other people shoot the same material but nothing comes through: you just get a picture of a few people doing nothing remarkable. How to spot the difference is usually beyond words, but you sure can feel it.

Music seems to be the same sort of medium: you can listen to the same song sung by five different artists and one will usually pop up as the real deal - I guess it's the artist's ability to interpret that does it.

Rob

P.S.

All of that said, wish somebody had given me that bit of spending cash!

[stamper]

I can understand the negativity towards it. It might get a few favs on Flickr.....but only a few.

[Rob C]

I can understand the negativity towards it. It might get a few favs on Flickr.....but only a few.

But then what you really show here is the gulf between the opinions of the average punter and the mindset of the gallery fraternity.

I have a wonderful monograph on the late Jeanloup Sieff, himself not only a very successful fashion photographer but with an amazing list of gallery shows to his credit too. His opinion of those gallery folks, however, is not one of love: in the main, he thinks of them as clueless parasites.

There may be a genuine star somewhere in the breed, but as I have had nothing but the most slight of relationships with a couple, I tend to think Sieff was on the money.

[Peter McLennan]

If Burtynsky tells us it's worthy...

Agreed.  Burtynsky is unassailable.

then we'd better attempt to give it a second thought with an open mind.

I did.  I still see nothing of value in that image. 

Reminds me of another "famous" Canadian photographer, who in my opinion produced similar pedestrian images.  Jeff Wall.

[luxborealis]

I think the first point says it all...

Eligible nominee(s) should demonstrate:

1.  Excellence and inventiveness in photographic narrative and art form

In other words, if it’s been done before, forget it. Understandable in the art world – which is exactly what breeds the “inventiveness” we see, even if no one would want it on their wall.

If you take the name and backstory off most “art” these days, it simply wouldn’t count for anything.

[Rob C]

I think the first point says it all...
In other words, if it’s been done before, forget it. Understandable in the art world – which is exactly what breeds the “inventiveness” we see, even if no one would want it on their wall.

If you take the name and backstory off most “art” these days, it simply wouldn’t count for anything.

Therein paradox: if nobody wants it on their walls, why would they buy?

Surely, the only art bought for investment comes from the big names when, okay, a safe may serve as a place to keep it. But for the new people - seems to fit neither wall nor safe deposit room.

Junk remains junk: some can be recycled and some not. Most of mine remains in HDs...

:-)