04.09.12
Non-photographer wins Deutsche Börse photography prize
John Stezaker is not a photographer but he has managed to scoop one of the most prestigious photography prizes, bagging himself the £30,000 prize.
Though he does not take any of the photographs himself, but splices together photographs he’s come across from existing photographers, Stezaker creates unusual compositions of human faces merged together, omitted from photos or just made to look totally bizarre.
Stezaker classes himself as an artist, his juxtaposed images being a form of art work in their own right, and photography is now classed as being a form of art. A lot of controversy can surround such a descision as this; should the photographer who produced the photos have won the prize, or does Stezaker’s work speak for itself in the photography world?
Professional Photographer hit the socials to see what other pros thought.
What we heard through the tweet vine:
“A stunning concept image, but more deserving of a general art prize. I feel this is out of the realm of photography a little. To me it would be trying to limit/confine Hockney to being a photographer.”
“They should rename it ‘The Deutsche Börse Art Prize’”
"I think it's a reflection on the judges more than the artist. I actually like the concept but it's not photography."
"He may be an artist but photography is an art as well, so congratulations on winning the prize!"
What our Facebook followers notified:
“It’s like passing an exam, but someone else sat it? Setting a precedent maybe...”
“Once you open the avenue for people winning photography awards without taking the pictures themselves you pretty much may as well do away with the award altogether in my opinion.”
“It's art, of that there is no doubt, and pretty good at that I think. It's not photography though, neither in spirit nor definition and I think it has devalued the prize.”
“Surely a photography competition assesses the skill of the photographer in capturing an image, not in someone's ability to post-edit someone else's photos?”
Do you agree or disagree? Post your comments below or join the discussion on our Facebook page, Pro Photo Mag, or follow along on Twitter, @prophotomag
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