Chapter 299: What is art? (1/2)

After Darryl received high scores from the judges, Charlotte noticed Ben tapping his foot like he was playing the kick drum in a metal band, and she knew the result was a blow to his confidence.

She'd seen him perform miracles, ones that even shocked her to this day. However, she also knew he started photography only two weeks ago. So how could he defeat Darryl in this competition? She had little confidence in Ben to begin with, and, even less in herself.

In fact, the thought of her picture going up and being torn apart again terrified her. Yet, she still agreed to participate, acting as his model and coming here to have the audience muddy her with inevitable ridicule, because although she didn't believe in herself, he believed in her, and that, was more than enough for her to endure the humiliation.

That's why at this moment, she cast her fears aside, and tried to encourage Ben instead. ”It doesn't matter if we lose. It's just a nonsense competition.”

Ben turned to her with a confused expression. ”Lose? Why would we lose?”

...

Charlotte blinked. ”Darryl just got such a high score. Aren't you worried about losing after boasting so much? You've been tapping your foot out of nervousness.”

Ben glanced down at his foot and laughed. ”Nervousness? I was imagining stomping on that redhead's face!”

…

Charlotte facepalmed. 'Why do I keep falling for it?'

...

Ben wasn't too concerned. It's true Darryl got a high score, but it wasn't like he received all tens. Who'd win and who'd lose was still uncertain, and although everyone praised Darryl's photo, after Ben saw it, he became even more confident of his victory.

So after the judges reviewed a few more entrants' pictures, a new photo came up on the screen, one that made Charlotte go wide-eyed... Indeed, it was her, but in such a style...that it was difficult for even her to recognize herself!

The photo revealed a pure young lady, a girl next door type with glasses and soft timid features, wearing a blue dress amongst a background of trees, grass, and a car blowing exhaust in the distance. Her cheeks were blushing, displaying the natural innocence of a youth frightened by her exposure to the camera, and to a greater extent--her exposure to the world itself.

The picture was a wonderful rendition of Charlotte. It made the core qualities of her usual appearance and temperament shine through, forcing all the men in the audience to think the same thing: this was a girl they could bring home to mom; delicate, cute, and with a nurturing nature. So why was this girl showing the camera the middle finger?

…

In the photo, her face bent in an uncharacteristic punk-rock expression. With her mouth half-open like she was cursing at you, the right side of her lip lifted higher than the other causing one eye to partially close in a fierce glare like it couldn't stand the sight of your stupid face.

…

What, the hell, was this?

…

Darryl was the first to sneer and comment on the picture. ”Such an awkward expression. Ridiculous!” That guy wanted to beat him with this? How could it compare to his photo? This girl looked absurd! There was no refined sexiness here, nothing sleek, nothing alluring. What was that photographer even thinking?

Darryl looked around to seek consensus from the audience, yet it stunned him to find, that not a single person responded to his words. No, not a single person even looked at him! Because they were all still staring at the photo!

The entire audience was baffled, stupefied, and amazed! They'd never seen anything like this! And they couldn't take their eyes off it!

Was Charlotte a beauty who could be on the cover of Maxim? No! But they were photographers, and photography wasn't only about capturing symmetrical beauty, but also wonder, energy and essence; the kind that only revealed itself in fleeting glimpses! The kind that gave photos their magic in the first place!

Photos needed charisma, passion, and theme! They needed to make you stare! To make you think! To make you feel alive!

To show you, that there was more to this world than met the eye. More to your life than wake-work-eat-sleep-die...

And if a photo could do that...then and only then—-was it true art!

…

For almost a full minute after Darryl's outburst, no one said a word. The redhead also sat down, burying himself in his chair. Although he didn't understand what was so special about this photo, he did recognize that the state of the room was unusual, simmering, like a pot of water as it reached the boiling point. Still, it didn't mean this was photo was any good. 'They're probably stunned speechless by the poor quality and getting ready to erupt…'

So when the first judge, a middle-aged woman, stood up, gazing at the photo without blinking, Darryl smirked. Yet, as she gave her critique, he tilted his head in confusion to such a degree that he almost broke his neck...as if shifting the angle of his ear would somehow change what he was hearing...

The judge's hand shook as she pointed to the photo. ”This is…this is…how did he do it?”

She continued to stare in silence for a few seconds, only regaining her composure after realizing she was a judge and needed to do her duty here. So after a deep breath, at last, she gave a proper critique. ”The technical skills are amongst the best of the entrants so far. I have nothing to add.”

Hearing this, Darryl scowled. 'She's saying that guy's as good as me?' However, the next part is what really turned him into a J-horror ghost...

The judge swallowed, taking a moment to choose her words with care. ”Yet, the technique pales in comparison to the other aspects of the photograph...

The energy, the charisma--they're magnetic! You can't take your eyes away!

Then, there are the layers of thematic juxtaposition. The sheer amount of depth is…astounding…unimaginable...

Technology and nature…