Alessandra Minotti | Juror of European Photography Awards

I began my professional career in the year 1994 when I took over a photography laboratory in Rome, Italy. During my time in Rome, there weren't many female photographers, so I had to relate to an almost entirely male-dominant field, it wasn't easy, but I managed.

In the laboratory, I was mainly involved in development, printing, and professional photographic services. With the experience of printing and my artistic studies, when there was the transition from analog to digital, I became passionate about photo retouching, trying to implement more techniques in photography, both for commissioned works and for personal projects, with collages or digital painting, also shooting a lot in multiple exposures, for which I have a real passion.

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

For me, the technique, the lighting, the post-production, the skill and originality of style, and the message and story it hides are very important.

Having the names of the participating photographers hidden is a very important thing, unfortunately, not all photography awards adopt this system. I judge it based on the entry category in which it is presented, which must be correct! I'm a bit strict, I have to admit that.

Everything that contributes to enriching my path and my work in photography is fundamental to 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. We think much more than four seconds, which is the time it normally takes others to view 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 define which particular strategies, because it's something that comes naturally to me, I read and judge a photograph perhaps more 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 less afraid to dare, even when mixing multiple techniques, making their works less equal to others. There is more personality, a sign that photographic progress and creativity are advancing.

Very important, also because for me every photograph has a story behind it or, at least should have a message, even if difficult to read, it is fundamental because photography is a language.

To create your own style, to take care of the composition, the fundamental light, and to have something to tell. Even a fashion photo for example is more interesting if it has a story. Above all else, 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!

Yes, the winners' works certainly paid attention to detail. As I've seen in my career where winning photography projects that were not worthy compared to others.

Yes, portraits, nature, creatives and architecture's categories.

Reaching a level that has technical excellence, creativity and innovation on the scales means having worked well, without superficiality, with great attention to detail and a great curiosity towards photographic progress. The balance in judging this professionalism comes naturally.

The European Photography Awards is a prestigious award, the quality I encountered when judging many EPA entries is very high and I find it interesting that it is divided into European nations. I really like the aspect of judging for various entries from all over the European nations.