LensCulture Review 4, The Last One

Until recently, I enjoyed visiting the LensCulture site and exploring the new collections, writings, and other materials. I even entered their calls to support the organization and willingly paid extra submission fees to receive reviews. I shared three such reviews earlier with the same intentions to support their work.

Photographic Sensibilities Change

In the last year or two, I noticed the shift in the sensibilities of the site, and how the new calls received submissions progressively farther from the general understanding of the call themes. The last straw that broke the back of this Cemal was the Portrait Awards 2024. The progressively permeating awkward looks became quite prominent, and some of the series entries contained frames with no people, or people in the distance having a picnic, or something like that.

By saying these, I do not criticize those winning entries or the photographers but the organization and how they structure their calls and the selection process. Being the blunt person that I am, I shared these thoughts with LensCulture and they replied to address my criticism. I will only share one paragraph from their last reply which essentially leaves things in the same vagueness:

Your honesty and perspective are invaluable to us, and we will certainly reflect on your feedback to ensure that we continue to meet the expectations of our audience. While we may not always align on every aspect, we value the opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue and welcome different viewpoints.

LensCulture Portrait Awards 2023

Last year, I entered their call to support the organization as usual and even requested a review of the submissions. The review and my images are below. After the review, I will share my thoughts on it, and try to show how they missed the point even then. This, they did, not because I did not win anything as I did not expect that, but because the trends in LensCulture portrait photography had already moved the lines.

Entry Submission and Review

Faces from different places

These five portraits of people from different places share a common element: Their sharp gaze. In a way, the subjects seem to be returning the photographer’s gaze with greater intensity.

1. What is the single most important question/concern you have about your project that you wish to have answered here in this review?
   I enjoy reading informed critiques.
2. What do you hope to accomplish with your photography in the next few years?
   It is too late for me to answer this question!
3. Is this an ongoing or completed project?
   It is the final version
4. Do you consider yourself a
   advanced
5. What genres of photography do you work in (mark all that apply)
   fine art, documentary, photojournalism, street, portrait, imaginative storytelling

Click on the images to see them larger, uncropped, and read their titles.

Hello, Cemal. I am glad to be your reviewer today.

Your portrait photographs are characterized by integrity and straightforwardness. You do not seem trying to seduce the audience nor force the viewer’s attention. It appears that you are more interested in presenting the internal attitude of your subject than utilizing their physical features to create visual drama. This does not mean that your pictures lack visuality, of course. There are subtle yet important details captured that enhance the visuality of the pictures in one way or another. In image 1, for instance, the two vertical lines on the wall behind reframe the subject in a simple yet beautiful manner. Plus, the natural light captured is soft and pale so it renders the foreground and the background as a unified thing. I give you credit also for the moment you managed to capture. The old man feels calm and confident in front of the lens, something that is also your achievement. Some theorists claim that it is not the photographer’s obligation to set the subject at ease, but when it comes to portraying people who do not have prior experience in posing or presenting themselves, it is essential for the photographer to make them feel comfortable with the process. This will definitely affect the outcome and these images here are solid proof of that claim.

Picture 2 is also a beautiful portrait to talk about. Although the depth of field is shallow the ingredients in the background still support the foreground visually. Actually, your choice to utilize a shallow focus was clever as the woman’s dress is quite noisy so if the focus were deep it could be a visual mess between foreground and background. Now, the foreground is crisp and clear while the background makes room for the subject to stand out, while at the same time adding more visual gestures in the whole. The correlation between the motifs on the dress and the leaves and foliage in the background is splendid. As for the facial display captured, is powerful in and of itself. Great shot, well done.

Picture 5, on the other hand, is not as strong as the first two photographs mentioned. The light is harsh rising the contrast ratio without a good reason. The frame is notably tight so the subject squeezes the air outside of the picture. This creates a sense of discomfort which is also enhanced by the posture of the man. His tight arms indicate unwillingness for getting photographed or even frustration about the process. To me, this is the weakest image in this set.

Pictures 3 and 4 are better but still, none of the two reaches the quality and artistic merit of images 1 and 2. Although both shots present some interesting ingredients besides the subject themselves, I find that the vertical frame was rather not the best option. The setting in both images, especially in picture 3, could be used more creatively via a horizontal frame, or at least a square one. Choosing the frame is a critical option as it can make or break a good photograph.

Nevertheless, the overall impression of your work and approach is definitely positive. Your pictures are appealing as to the approach and convincing as to the intent. Via sufficient craft and an honest approach, you shape the story so a particular emphasis is stressed, and a specific feeling is expressed. You have managed to metabolize your thoughts through the pictures so a particular intent is put forth. Good luck in the contest.

Anonymous reviewer

What I Thought of the Review

I appreciate reviews, comments, and feedback that focus on MY work without trying to make them that of the reviewers. In my years of criticism of traditional camera club judging, I emphasized that the judges need not make the photographs their own and offer how they may improve them. Liking or disliking should remain secondary to reading the photograph being reviewed. After all, when a critic writes a book review, they generally leave the font selection, heading styles, etc. behind and focus on the words they read. Photography is a language and needs to be read as to what it is saying, and what else it may be saying.

Regrettably, the reviewer, although she or he offered praising words, totally missed the statement that was a part of my submission. I specifically referred to the “photographer’s gaze” and how these subjects returned that with an even more intense gaze. There was no reference to that unifying statement in the review.

The reviewer spoke favorably for the first two photographs but the last few didn’t make it to the same level, in part for vertical framing, and part for harsh lighting. The titles of the images are also clues, and the one for image #5 is “Hasanaki, The Lone Shepherd on Cunda Island.” Hasanaki was a loner, living in a small hut with one room for everything. He decided on being a loner and the tight framing presents him in an uncomfortable stance because he was! If you have a single small window light in a tiny hut, it naturally becomes harsh, like his life.

The wall behind the saddlemaker added interest to the photograph. Trying to capture all that in a horizontal frame would have reduced the man into an insignificant element. And, the seller of the chicken with a sly grin on her face is cockier than a rooster! I cannot possibly see her in a horizontal frame in this environment with the load she carried. Vertical framing offers stronger dynamism while horizontal framing is more static, balanced, and comfortable.

In Conclusion

The disconnect I have been feeling with LensCulture has come to a point that made me decide my work no longer belongs on their site. I decided to delete all but a few of my projects. After I make the necessary records, I will delete them from the site. The sensibilities they have come to reflect are far from the photography I love and have loved for more than sixty-five years. I cannot produce nor understand the appeal of awkward looks in photographs from portraits to fashion. That may well be my age!

Best of luck, LensCulture!