2024 IAA Juror Interview: Alessandra Minotti, Italy

I first began my professional career by taking over a photography laboratory in 1994 in Rome, Italy. At the time in Rome, there weren't many female photographers, so I had to relate to an almost entirely male field, it wasn't easy, but I managed it.

In this laboratory I was mainly involved in development, printing and providing professional photographic services. With a foundation in printing and artistic training, I found myself drawn to photo retouching as photography made the leap from analogue to digital. This spurred me to explore a range of techniques, including collages, digital painting, and multiple exposures, which I employed in both commissioned assignments and personal creative ventures.

Subsequently, I then began to exhibit my artworks in Italy and abroad, taking advantage of the 8 years of my life and work experience in Spain, which broadened my photographic vision. I deal with topics such as violence against women, identity, psychophysical well-being, health food, places and the environment. I have also published two books and have been published in art magazines and books.

Having the names of the participating photographers hidden is a very important thing, unfortunately not all photography awards adopt this system.

Even if a photo was entered several times in the same competition, I judge it solely based on the entry category in which it is presented, which must be correct!

Everything that contributes to enriching my path and my work in photography is fundamental for me. Judging the work of other photographers, which is already something I carry with me from my printing experience, is an added value, which also helps me a lot in my work.

I allocate much more than the standard four-second glance that most people give to images. Having the task of judging another photographer's work is a very important commitment, it cannot and must not be superficial.

I can't really say which particular strategies I utilize, because it's something that comes naturally to me.

I read and judge a photograph based on the originality and uniqueness of the theme, creativity and technical execution rather than the wow factor. I focus a lot on those fundamental points, in addition to the fact of the entry category which obviously must be right, otherwise you immediately lose a lot of points. Some that I consider worthy of high scores, I note down, so I can compare them with others.

Yes, fortunately this new generation is very daring, even when mixing multiple techniques. This in turn make their works less equal to others. There is more personality, a sign that photographic progress and creativity are advancing.

I would say that it is very important! In my opinion, every photograph has a story behind it or, at least should have a message, even if it is difficult to read, it is fundamental because photography is a language.

To create your own style, you would need to be mindful of the composition, the light which is fundamental and, to have something to tell.

Even a photo on fashion, for example is more interesting if it has a story. And above all, have a lot of tenacity and patience, because I will never say that it is a job where it is easy to earn a lot. Unfortunately!

The MUSE Photography Awards have always been a prestigious award, which has seen great photographers participate and win.

The quality I encountered when judging many MUSE entries are very high and it is more satisfying to judge good photographs!