Not your typical talent show; who will be crowned Master of Photography?
With a Hollywood host and a €150,000 prize, competition will be fierce in Europe’s first TV photography competition. But who will snap their way to success?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The challenge is to try to show how a visual artist, in this case a photographer, expresses his art,” explains Blue Velvet actress Isabella Rossellini, who hosts Sky Arts’ ambitious European talent contest dedicated to photography, the first of its kind.
Master of Photography, an eight-part series, features photographic challenges for 12 competitors who will be tested across a range of styles and disciplines.
The contestants, who include photography enthusiast Neal Gruer, a former solicitor who lives in Glasgow, and photojournalist Gabriele Micalizzi from Italy, travel all over Europe and face different challenges, including shooting monuments, nature, famous people and nudes, as well as taking photographs at night.
Master of Photography will be simulcast on Sky Arts in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Germany and Austria. The winner will receive €150,000, the biggest prize ever offered in a European photography contest, plus an exhibition and catalogue of their photographs.
The jury comprises three internationally prominent photographers: London-based German Rut Blees Luxemburg, Britain’s Simon Frederick and Italy’s Oliviero Toscani, a snapper best known for his daring images for Benetton’s advertising campaigns in the Eighties and Nineties.
Other renowned photographers expected to appear include David LaChapelle, who was once described as the “Fellini of photography”, Bruce Gilden and Jason Bell.
“We are not looking for a super-specialised photographer,” insists Roberto Pisoni, Executive Producer. “We are basically looking for an ‘eye’, someone who can be well versed in various types of photography.”
In this age of smartphones, Instagram and selfies, photography is going through an astonishing amount of change, which Pisoni acknowledges. “People photograph each other every second,” he says. “At the same time, we know that photography can be something very refined. And this seemed to us a great way to give the audience the opportunity to really understand what good and bad photography actually is.”
Phil Edgar-Jones, director of Sky Arts, believes the series will reflect photography’s popularity and impact as an art form and medium. “The European photography scene is incredibly active and we can’t wait to uncover some exciting new talent on Master of Photography,” he says.
“We hope this programme will demonstrate just how powerful and important photography remains, and that we will be able to bring some extraordinary undiscovered talent to light in the process.”
It’s quite a coup bagging Rossellini, who, during her glittering career as an actress and model, has worked with star photographers such as Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz, Helmut Newton and Robert Mapplethorpe.
The daughter of Hollywood legend Ingrid Bergman – one of the most photographed women of her era – lends considerable glamour to what promises to be another superior talent-show contest from Sky Arts.
Master of Photography is on Thursday 21 July at 8pm on Sky Arts and is available to catch up on demand.
Three for all
Visual masterpieces in print, portrait and film
Oliviero Toscani: more than 50 years of magnificent failures
The creative guru behind a number of famous brand and advertising campaigns, Toscani’s images examine homosexuality, anorexia and racism.
How much: £22.75
Where from: amazon.co.uk
Robert Mapplethorpe: Self-Portrait
A framed, archival-quality,
giclée reproduction print of the controversial American’s renowned Skull from 1988. The skull is the classic image of death and vanity, a reminder that we mortals are all destined to die.
How much: £30
Where from: shop.tate.org.uk
Blue Velvet, Special Edition (including lost footage) on Blu-ray
Isabella Rossellini excels as damaged Dorothy Vallens in David Lynch’s mind-bending masterpiece from 1986, which has Kyle MacLachlan’s hapless Jeffrey seriously falling out with Dennis Hopper’s crazed hoodlum, Frank.
How much: £7.99
Where from: rakuten.co.uk
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments