Photography and the World of Awards -Reality, Expectations and Confusion.

 

We often told that if we do things right, we will be awarded for the good deeds we accomplished and this partly true and correct in our point of view as human. As we evolved in our day-to-day chores including our hobbies, we are compelled to do what is right, an expectation that our hard work will notice at the end of the day.

 So, when it comes to an award or prize of what we do, whether at work and or hobby, Does awards really matter? Let us say you work in a corporate world, you are the cream of the crop, and everyone admire you for being a top performer throughout the year, and voila during the Rewards and Recognition a plaque of appreciation was handed over to you, you felt ecstatic, cloud nine and a butterfly in the  stomach, this is it as you exclaimed, while your ego boosted and your spirit rejoices. Yes, it is all about awards and you complete the marathon of being a top performer.

 Does award really matter when we talk about Photography? I have been into photography as hobbyist for number of years, from day one I learned the in and out of the trade, I do not recall receiving an award that will speak for my masterpiece or if there is even one masterpiece that will shine upon my name and skills per se. Back in the day, few people or group of photographers receive awards from credible award-winning body, even if there is an existing award giving body that  critique one’s work, it will take a long hours of discussion, collaboration and inspection of  one’s work before the final verdict to one’s masterpiece  that will finalize the phase  prior to receive an award in line of  one’s work of art.

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 Where do we draw a line between Recognition and Award?

First, we need to define the difference between Recognition and Award, Recognition-Latin recognitiō: define as acceptance or acknowledgment of a claim, duty, fact, truth while Award as per Meriam dictionary, it is defined as something that is conferred or bestowed especially on the basis of merit or need. Sadly, most of the time these two words are often used interchangeably where confusion arises.

Majority of people think that awards and recognition mean the same thing, when they are being recognized it means they are being awarded for the good deeds that they have done and or accomplished and this is where the confusion and misconception happen. On the other hand, when people think about recognition it  automatically connotes to awards at the end of the day and they have this preconceive notion that awards awaits for their good deed and or accomplishment, whether work, hobby and or in business. work, hobby and or in business. In reality most people are confused, that recognition does not equal to awards, not all that leads to the end of the tunnel sees light.

Do photography awards consistently attract clients and enhance a photographer’s overall professional value?

Many photographers have debated this topic. For some, receiving more awards leads to increased clientele, financial gain, and professional connections. This perspective holds some truth when considering the broader context. However, from my own standpoint, I am uncertain about the impact of awards and do not prioritize them. Instead, I focus on producing the highest quality images possible, aiming to develop my skills and build a portfolio that authentically represents my work. This approach allows my portfolio to serve as my professional signature for current and prospective clients, shaping my journey in both the arts and sciences.

Say for example a craftsman with years of experience doing his forte over and over, careful analysis of the design of his masterpiece, what the output will look like, imagine this repetitive and tedious task, imagine his tired hands never get wobble and continuously chisel his craft to perfection. Over and over, doing the same routine for decades, practice to perfection and yet at the end of the day his only consolation for himself is his masterpiece- no awards giving body, no loud music, no audience that applause him for a well job done. His craft speaks volume of what his accomplishment and what he has done in the entirety of his career. Do awards in photography bring clients across the board and increase your value as a whole? Well, it is depend on how you view your career as a photographer, if you want to have your hobby turn into career and career turn  into business, then award  plays a role to be recognized and gain  clients. Overall, it will help you in a sense of building your portfolio, your reputation and your name becomes your trademark when it comes to quality and consistency, it will dictate your career somehow to pinpoint the direction  where will be going  in the next five to ten years or more. Please bear in mind when it comes to receiving an award is tied-up with consistency as a whole, you do not stop when awards filled your world and feed your ego.

In my point  of view, awards  should not be  the main  focus of your goal as a photographer, awards and recognition should be least of your goal. As a photographer your main goal is harness your talent and showcase to the world what you have it takes to be a photographer, your  output speaks  as viewers look at the pictures you have taken and processed,  the volume of your success is based on what the viewers says about your output and not about you and your camera. The entirety of being a photographer  is always fall into being a good one, receptive and consistent all throughout  the day with or without your camera, the way you  view a subject and life as it is. At the end of the day it is you and your camera will curve your name in your chosen field of endeavor, your trademark is your key to success and your consistency  is the fuel that drives  you further to the horizon of your goal set – and endless opportunities. There is no such thing as ONE SHOT,  ONE KILL, only proper framing and composition approach, even  if there is such an approach, it takes  courage, practice and  clear perception  to achieve a perfect shot, an award winning and the like.

                                       HAPPY SHOOTING AND ENJOY!