The Watchers Network
The Watchers Network is a network of photography enthusiasts and industry leaders with exceptionally trained eyes and a critical take on contemporary photography. They have partnered with Viewbook PhotoStory platform and actively scout for talented photographers. The Watchers follow the Viewbook PhotoStory competition closely and may offer critiques and insight on competition entries.
Lauren Heinz - editor of 8 Magazine, London UK
Even if it’s a subject that has been done many times before, I want a photo story to show me, in a visually-innovative way, another perspective. I also look for stories that evoke a sense of compassion with the subjects, or even a sort of collaboration between photographer and subject. I’m not interested in work that looks like it was shot in a day’s time, but longer-term dedicated projects. Time spent, more often than not, is really reflected in the quality of the work.
Alison Zavos - publisher of Featureshoot.com, New York USA
“The idea behind the work is usually the first thing that draws me into a photo series. The subject matter should be current, or if not, then shot in a new and interesting way. Image quality should be consistent throughout the series and leave me wanting to see more.”
Jon Levy - publisher of 8 Magazine, London UK
“The first thing I want to see in a photo story is a sense that the photographer has thought about how to present the work to me in the sequence and idea of the images together. 12-15 images is usually enough to convey the feeling of the story being told. Following from this is the need for the photographer to also have in mind which group of people, which audience his work may be for and what it is he/she wishes to tell them. Almost all of this can be thought out before the first picture is even taken. What’s the story? How do I want to tell it? who is it for? and how best should I present it to them? There are many variables along the way there but each choice should be made in order to help the story along. Digital or analogue, 35mm or large format, on screen multimedia or prints in a box, on a wall in and magazine or online. these are all part of the narrative process and I want to see individuals who have thought about this because invariably there images and their stories make sense.”
Frank Kalero - artist OjodePez, Berlin DE
I want to see how the photographer has invested time and brain to make the pictures. that it is not just the result of a lucky day. That behind the series there’s engagement and dedication. I would like to feel that no images are missing in order to understand the whole series.
I expect that the photographer tells me something, and that he’s doing it in a beautiful way, no matter if he’s talking about hunger, pain and death, or glamour, still life and puppies. I want to be able to watch the picture for a while, thinking, enjoying with empathy, and flying away from my coffee table.
Roy Kahmann - collector, gallery-owner and publisher, Amsterdam, NL
A good photo series is just like a good book. The visual narrative build-up is so exciting that you keep on looking, and beyond that search for surprising details and meaning. A series of images that says it all, but at the same time raises questions and intrigues me completely. As a gallery owner and collector, I stick to those narrative works that contain many stories.
Grant Scott - Editor Professional Photographer Magazine, UK
I’m always looking for someone who can create a narrative without relying on repetition or technique to provide a visual link.
Peter Bas Mensink - publisher GUP Magazine, Amsterdam, NL
I look for strong concepts, originally elaborated. Not too abstract, accessible photography of a high quality.
Tim Clark - editor 1000 Words Photography Magazine, UK
I’m interested in finding new work that has a definite them and strong aesthetic, conceptual and ideological underpinning.
