{"id":770,"date":"2011-09-13T10:42:52","date_gmt":"2011-09-13T10:42:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/leedscd.wordpress.com\/?p=770"},"modified":"2011-09-13T10:42:52","modified_gmt":"2011-09-13T10:42:52","slug":"what-is-leeds-like","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/realisedevelopment.net\/index.php\/2011\/09\/13\/what-is-leeds-like\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Leeds Like?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is the title of a new photography competition being run by Leeds City Council<\/a>. \u00a0The public are invited to submit their snaps that capture for them what Leeds is like in 2011.<\/p>\n

And the prize for What Is Leeds Like? \u00a0The council and its partners may use your images in a report and in any other publication they wish, to portray the city.<\/p>\n

On the one hand I admire the enterprise. \u00a0No doubt, strapped for cash, they can’t afford to commission a professional, or even to buy some of the\u00a0existing\u00a0great product of the Leeds photography community. \u00a0A quick search on flickr for Leeds 2011<\/a> produces over 28 000 images.<\/p>\n

But \u00a0it feels a little one sided…<\/p>\n

Is there a qualitative difference between professionally commissioned and briefed city portraiture and the chocolate box\u00a0approach\u00a0of a ‘send us your snaps’ competition? \u00a0Is there a danger of de-professionalising photography? \u00a0Or is it just another creative industry that needs to wake up to the fact that we are all creatives now?<\/p>\n

So what could the council do that would meet its requirements for low\/no cost but high quality photography and<\/strong><\/em> provide a\u00a0meaningful\u00a0and powerful platform for Leeds photographers?<\/p>\n

So, Leeds photographers, what would you\u00a0value\u00a0as a prize in such a competition?<\/p>\n

UPDATE<\/p>\n

Delighted to see the Beyond Guardian Leeds have launched an alternative \u00a0photo competition<\/a> through which I hope they can really attract attention to some great Leeds photographers.<\/p>\n