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Interview with Italian Photographer Marco Delogu, Chairman of the Metro Photo Challenge Jury Panel.

How did it feel to be asked to be the chairman of the judging panel for the 2008 Metro Global Photo Challenge?

I was really pleased, as this was an opportunity to discover new talent. What people need to realise is that photography does not operate a star system like film. People become famous for their personality and raw talent, not for what they look or sound like.

How important is a competition like the Metro Global Photo Challenge to photographers and the photographic industry?
The factor makes the Photo Challenge so unique as a competition is that it is open for everyone and this on a global scale. The diversity of the challenge increases the richness of talent and this is something very appealing to the media. The challenge offers budding photographers the amazing opportunity to be exposed and admired by millions of people worldwide.
The fact that it is open to all creates a fantastic shift in the balance that bursts with originality and variety. At the end of the day, it is a crucial first step in terms of exposure to the media for all the contestants.

How did you make it from amateur to professional?
I started by studying contemporary history but soon realised my true passion was photography. In the early 80’s Rome was the heart of the fashion world, so there were plenty of photography assistant positions going. I did a lot of fashion shoots for magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, which is how I learnt most of my technique. Fashion was never my thing though - too much of it was about the beauty - not about the substance. I believe photography is based around art and freedom of expression, so having my technique in the bag I set off to do my own thing.

What advice do you have for aspiring photographers?
To mix their personal lives and their work, as this is the only thing that makes a photographer stand out from the rest.
Emotion must be expressed, and although technique is truly crucial, it must not appear on the final shot. It’s all about getting the correct balance in your work. I once did an exhibition with singer Patti Smith. Although she had very little technique, the emotion that emanated from her shots was so intense that the end result was remarkable.

Was it a tough competition in terms of quality and challenge?
It was, and it became a challenge for me as chairman, as the final decision-making was a difficult task. Some of the pictures really made me think and reflect about things and will remain in my memory for a very long time.

What did you think about the winning photo, ‘Midnight Tram to Humber’?
I really loved it. It contained some classic touches, and the colours were very contemporary. It’s the kind of picture I’d love to have hanging on my wall at home as it is not a shot you look at once and forget about. Midnight Tram to Humber has a sense of eternity to it. I see it almost like a short novel in picture format - the kind of picture that could spark a love story. I found it evocative and straightforward. It’s an image that doesn’t want to attract you, but which you cannot help being attracted to.

What was your other favourite entry aside from the winner?
‘Loneliness’ which featured an elderly man sitting drinking beer all alone was one of my favourite ones. It was a bold entry as the picture lacked charm and technique and it was almost borderline between poor and outstanding. But the simplicity and emotion it communicated was truly intense.

Any advice for the Metro Global Photo Challenge finalists?
I would love to see more pictures from all the Photo Challenge finalists because I believe photography is not about the one shot but a series of shots that translate into an entire project. What I want to see is evolution, something that is almost impossible to achieve through one single shot.
What is also hard is moving on from your first successful piece of work, as people have high expectations, which are often hard to match.

Why do you think photography is an important art form?
It means everything to me, I think about it all the time and it is an integral part of my everyday life. It affects the way I see the world around me and to me, is a reflection of life itself.
Photography is a very important form of art as it expresses the vision and truth as well as the photographer’s frame of mind.

What did you learn from your experience as chairman of the Metro Photo Challenge jury?
That you must always be open-minded and allow yourself to be surprised when it comes to art.
Romina McGuinness, Metro London