The "World’s Worst Photographer" just released her images for us all to see – let’s break down why these photos of Iceland suck and how they could be improved
When Icelandair put out the call for a “really bad photographer,” French woman Blanche Mortemard answered. Now, her terrible images of Iceland are going on display, and we get to critique them
Icelandair recently held a competition for the world's worst photographer, seeking someone with exceptional skills in capturing the beauty of Iceland in the most unappealing way possible. French photographer Blanche Mortemard emerged as the clear winner of this contest, a result of over 120,000 submissions. To showcase her less-than-masterful creations, Icelandair shared her photographic portfolio for the world to scrutinize.
The first image released from Mortemard's Iceland expedition features a glaring issue: a finger obscuring a significant portion of the frame. More concerning, however, is her failure to isolate a central subject, resulting in a chaotic blend of colors, objects, and shapes without a discernible focal point. This mistake, while understandable for a beginner, is a common hurdle that all novice photographers must overcome.
In a subsequent shot, Mortemard managed to focus on a subject – a waterfall – but fell short in terms of composition. The angle from which she captured the waterfall was problematic, making it difficult to ascertain whether it was nestled within an inaccessible gully or could be better appreciated at a lower vantage point. A thorough scouting of the area could have potentially helped her secure a more compelling composition. If this truly was the best angle, then the photo might have been better left unclicked.
Despite the criticism, one of Mortemard's images managed to capture the essence of Iceland. The photographer skillfully utilized the curvature of the land to divide the frame, showcasing a balanced distribution of the cliff, ocean, grass, and waves. While some may argue that this was a result of sheer luck rather than skill, it remains an aesthetically pleasing image that highlights the photographer's ability to appreciate the beauty of a scene when presented correctly.
Blanche Mortemard's photographic endeavor with Icelandair has culminated in a display at White Rabbit Studios in London, alongside a free live "artist" talk on the second day. The event, which took place from September 11-12, allowed attendees to view her raw, unedited images and gain insight into her artistic process.
Written by urgent.news from Digital Camera World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
