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In hunting, annual trophies and game management shows are still indispensable today. On the one hand they contribute towards the essential exchange of information on the game status at the end of a hunting season, and, on the other, every hunter has to account for his shooting here. And this proves that the criticism so frequently raised that hunters are only after trophies or only pursue a trophy cult, is an outmoded prejudice.
(Jagd online, 'Die Jagd in der Praxis')
Tallyho and the pornographic eye for detail.
It’s lying there now, the photo series. The future content of a weighty BFF yearbook and further evidence of the fact that we are a nation of car-drivers and holiday-makers but not of gourmets! 38 metres of transport/travel for feet and eyes to cope with compared with a mere four metres of food.
The photo series counts 396 submitted works in toto. In addition to the two categories mentioned above, still more kilometres on the floor of the Offenbachsaal in Cologne’s exhibition centre are covered by the sectors architecture, fashion, people, still-life and reportage.
after the first viewing, each member of the jury proposes – anonymously – what he or she feels deserves to stay in the running for an award, and 70 works are carved out.
The surprising thing about the whole show is that there is nothing really surprising in German photography. Mainstream is gently bubbling along wherever you expect to find experimental courage. You wish that the food photos were more appetising. The still-lifes are really very still. And where, dear St.Reinhard, have all the “Wow!” ideas gone? This places all the more demands on the jury. With a scanner look, all of the details that turn photos into good pictures are now being scrutinised: Here a consistent line holding the two sides together, out of focus at the front, dramatizing the background; there a shadow accentuating the light.
Sadly, the ‘tallyho’ does not produce a royal trophy for the pedestal, no pre-eminent
picture worthy of gold. The jury makes nine silver awards and 17 merits. But stop! There is a surprise after all. Some of the best photographs were taken by the youngsters, germinating hope for Germany’s photography. Keep it up guys and girls! And a good shot!
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