what makes a great photograph? (my thoughts)

[Thornfield]

I've been pondering about this dilemma quite a bit lately and have come up with an answer that satisfies me personaly. I know it's not the sharpness, the colour, the composition, the contrast, the bokeh etc etc. I've seen some images that had none of the above and yet there was something about them that wouldn't let the image out of my mind. I kept thinking about them. After a lot of thought I came up with the following answer. If an image can make the viewer respond with an emotion , whether it be anger, disgust, hatred, love or any other for that matter then I think a picture has done what the photographer intended it to do (keep in mind that this does not apply to the usual family snap/record shots as these serve a purpose all by themselves)
These days we seem to be so obsessed with the ideal of aesthetics that the emotional content is neglected, I myself am guilty of this also. Therefore I've decided not to take any more pretty pictures. Will I share my pictures with other, yes most definetly. Will I care what they think of them? Only if they respond on an emotional level. Comments about bokeh, sharpness, contrast etc etc will go in one ear and out the other from now on.

What are your views regarding your images.

Here are some great photographs
http://www.worldpressphoto.nl/winnerList.jsp

[Mark_Cohran]

In many regards, I agree with you. However, I don't think that photographers can ignore the technical aspects of the craft either. I believe a photo should be created and a photographer should understand all the technical aspects of the craft they've choses to pursue.

Mark

[philbyuk]

what makes a good photo?... well to me a good photo is the sum of the whole not one thing makes a good photo its a conglomaration? of all...sometimes its nothing you can put your finger on its (as Thornfield said)its the emotion of the pic, to me photos are a very personal thing, and whats good to one, may be plain or even boring to another.