Master of Photography (2016– ) User Reviews

Interesting content but oh those judges

[dbmcvey · 7/10 · 20 September 2018]

I have watched several episodes of this show and have mostly enjoyed it. I like the insights in to what the photographers are doing--or trying to do. I like the somewhat pretentious artiness of the opening and transitions. It skirts eye rolling at times but never becomes unbearable.

Isabella Rossellini is a good host and has the right mystique for something like this. She has a warm, quirky appeal and a history as a model and actress that makes her appropriate for this kind of a show.

The photographers themselves are an interesting group. They come from many different esthetics and are often made, by the challenges, to work outside those comfort zones--which is where my problem comes in.

The judges and "mentors". Some are better than others but I wish, instead of photographers they had art critics. The mentors are sometimes helpful but more often want the artists to work in their (the mentor's) aesthetic. Thought there is lip service to "show us who you are" the judges are not often able to think outside of their own views on what photography should be. I think critics might be able to have a more expansive view. And a few of the judges are just crabby--which I'm sure has to do with the years they've spent defending their own work.

I still enjoy this show but as the seasons progress I hope they reconsider their judges.

Harsh reviews

[prhazell · 8/10 · 23 December 2022]

As a photographer I love this show and have been hoping a season 5 would be made now that Covid restrictions have gone . The tasks are varied but have become a little repetitive over the four seasons . The format needs changing a little

The only change I would make would be to keep all of the contestants across the entire season but for three to be chosen for the final . One contestant may have a bad day and leave when they could have improved over the course of the season . Some have described the judges as pretentious but this is an arts programme and the tasks should be challenging academically as well as visually .

Please please Sky Arts revive this show .

Judges are pompous asses

[dan-1386 · 3/10 · 20 September 2018]

Who is to say that these "famous" photographers vision of what is "art" is any more valid than the photographers who took the photo. It reminds me of the artists who criticized the impressionists at the turn of the last century. The vision is in the eye of the photographer, and there can be constructive criticism of the exposure, etc (which would include suggestions on changes to make it better) but these judges are just pompous asses who think their vision is the only way. It would be interesting to see the tables turned, have the contestants criticize the judges work...

Overall as a photographer, I find the assignments interesting, but the whole judging aspect turns me off. Judging should have a element of encouragement and teaching, not the imposition of their very narrow vision of art on to another artists.

Disgraceful criticism

[leatherunicorns · 1/10 · 4 June 2020]

Absolutely disgraceful criticism given to the contestants. The judges do not own the photography world. Just because they don't like something doesn't mean they have the right to speak to people like that.

Atrocious

Harsh Criticism Makes this Un-Watchable

[urbanvodou · 4/10 · 19 September 2018]

Great concept, and I love that they show the camera settings for each photograph. BUT, how about a little constructive criticism instead of just berating the creatives. Don't we have enough of that these days. As a photographer you should know better.

Love the Challenges and the Struggles - Judging Is A Fail

[joeljc-96482 · 5/10 · 24 September 2018]

I've just had the opportunity to watch a few episodes, they were from the past couple of years. This series must be new to U.S. television market.

I love hearing the photographer's thinking process on each of the challenges. It gives the viewer insight into the struggles photographers have when on assignment, whether it is a personal project or a paid gig. The struggles are real and creating art is not as easy as most people think. The contestants' explanation of why they took the image and what they saw in the image they took is crucial to the enjoyment of this series.

As for the judging, it is a fail! These photographers are in a competition environment, not submitting images to an editor for a specific publication. There are no set criteria or point scale for the various categories/technical skills required to capture a good artistic image. The judges act more like editors arbitrarily saying whether an image is good enough, and most of the time I disagree with their assessment of an image. The photographers haven't had enough time to understand what each judge is looking for, except for the few who make it to the latter half of the season. At the least, the judges could provide some constructive criticism on how the photographer could have improved the image to make the cut.

They should improve the judging aspect where there is a grade card with specific exoteric (composition, lighting, focus, theme, etc.) objectives to be met and far less esoteric (mood, meaning, story, etc.) objectives. Each judge should independently score each image and the winner based on total points.

Pretty unwatchable

[petergliddon · 3/10 · 3 November 2020]

Pretentious group of "experts" attempting to force their ideas on an averagely talented, over emotional, bunch of people with borrowed cameras. Unnecessarily unpleasant criticisms follow and don't make comfortable viewing. Just watched episode three, the last for me.

rubbish

[curtispeace · 3/10 · 8 December 2020]

Where and how did they find these contestants?, their ideas are mostly stupid, and 99% of their photos suck, anyone could and surely do take exactly the same bad photos everywhere in the world every day, they take apparently random dumb photos neither interesting nor beautiful, children could do better!, the only good part of when the experts talk about photography, but that would be a different show, yawn yawn, these people are pitiful, their ideas are nonsensical... 'nuff said

Pretentious rubbish

[andylaw-89374 · 20 October 2020]

I can't believe the comments tonight for the back stage photos. The actors are on stage! You can't get in their faces! Oliviero is so 2-faced. Make the pictures your own, he says. Then he says he thinks they're useless as he doesn't like the image! IT'S NOT YOUR PICTURE. Take a look at your own Benetton pictures, Olivero. They aren't exactly shouting out for aclaim. Simon's photos are also lacing sparkle and character, unlike those of the contestants. Far too pretentious. Talks the talk, but can't walk. The only "judge" with ANY credibility is Rutt. Even the "mentors" are poor. The contestants could benefit from the mentor comments and hints BEFORE heading out. Saying "you should have tried this" or " you should do this" is pointless when the pictures are already taken. Not impressed.