What happened ...

... to the comment that was already here this morning (10 March)? Has it been removed because it did not praise Graham's work? If Mr Graham can earn $150,000 through the sort of photo displayed above (especially 'Executives, Bank of England'), then I fear for the sanity of those who judge such things.

Unbelievable

That such ordinary pictures could win this asks the question: what was the competition like?

REMOVED COMMENT

The previous comment the website host removed asked if Paul Graham had intended to take these photographs ? Or had the shutter gone off my mistake as he adjusted his pants or bent down to tie his shoe laces ?

I think that's roughly what it said. Fair comment as far as I'm concerned.

What is this?

This "Award" must confuse many for it;s utter emptiness in creativity, message or content.

If I take a still of my garbage bag content I might get elevated to a higher level but I better check what it contains/

In any case I think I am in for a good chance.

Ditto the above..

The initial comment says it all. That it was removed is a sure sign of being on target. Censorship at BJP? Maybe these images make more sense in their original context and series, but individually they make no sense at all and are frankly amaturish and ugly. I'd like to hear what Paul Graham has to say. You've got to wonder how these awards are organised and run.

Judged by Committee!!

Your piece about Paul Graham says that he was selected by a committee to win this award.
Well, we all know what usually happens when something is decided by a 'committee', but the implication is that this award didn't result from an open and transparent 'competition'.
As a matter of interest, what are the criteria for names being put to this committee for initial consideration and possible selection for the Hasselblad Foundation International Award?

Enlightenment

Possible enlightenment can be found at this link: http://www.paulgrahamarchive.com/writings_by.html

Congratulations Paul Graham

I congratulate Paul Graham on this award. He takes photographs 'about' things rather than 'of' things. Unfortunately the previous comments give us the reason why, sadly, artists like him go to live in the US. To get away from the attitude here.

Please explain, Mr Moore

I'd be interested to know what photography 'about things' rather than 'of things' means. I have read Graham's two short essays I linked to above and checked his web archive, and am very little the wiser. It would really be helpful if you could illustrate the distinction by reference to the photos above.

Convention

Reading many of the above comments its not difficult to figure there is a whole heap of jealousy out there (often is where art is involved). I suggest that the main reason people recoil from acceptance & acknowledge the recipient for their success is that convention dictates their work while people like Paul Graham eschew it. I looked at my own archives & see just the same convention & also find it difficult to "like" Paul Grahams work but fair play to him what a wonderful accolade & prize after all his years shooting. Congratulations Paul you are an inspiration to us all.

Well...

They're not perfect, but they've got character.

POSSIBLE?

Can I start with "IF?"
If Mr Paul Graham was the -first- with the photos you have showed, I put just one question: "How where the others?
He got parents or friends in the Committee?
The bright side, tell everyone, IF he took the price, there's hope for every amateur!

Graham fully deserved award

I was first introduced to the work of Paul Graham 18 years ago. He has had a profound effect on the way I view through the lens. His work, asks questions of what we value in society and challenges the perception of what constitutes a photograph beyond mere aesthetics.

British photography internationally recognised

Graham goes from strength to strength, E Eugene Smith Award, Deutshe Boerse Prize, and now the Hasselblad award. In colour photography he's as important as William Eggelstone. He challenges the establishment and re-defines the medium.

Reconsider

Paul Graham produces series, 30, 40 or more photographs on subjects that include social depravation, political and economic influences, urbanism and the minutia of everyday life. He works in series to avoid what Whittgenstein described as the “fascism of the snap decision”, that is, summing up the world in an instant.

For more than three decades Graham has intently and consistently produced these projects. I would urge anyone with a serious interest in the conflux of social documentary photography and fine art to study his work thoughtfully (It is not straight forward) - you would learn that he is an artist and commentator of considerable merit.

Dismissing the significance of his work based on a meager summation in a press release is simplistic and disrespectful.

Much about nothing

I attended a talk by Mr. Graham here in the USA a year or so. It was timely as I had just group where his work was shown.

After meeting Mr. Graham and listening to his talk - I was still confused by why his work was so wildly popular.

I mean no disrespect to Mr. Graham, but I just do not think his work is good. I think there is a great deal of gimmick (the book with the faint white images for example). I can't think of any of his images that stand out as classic or master work. I would like to see him post new work online under a unknown name - I suspect it would get no attention.

?

I think Paul Grahams work adds the the depth and breadth to the photographic medium. I think people forget that photography is a very broad church and that different points of view and ideas are what make it a fascinating medium of communication and comment.

Well Deserved!

I've read Paul Graham's essay "Photography is easy, Photography is difficult" at AmericanSuburbX more than a dozen times. It might appear simple and even simplistic, stating perhaps the obvious, I alway find something something new and illuminating. It's a text that inspires and clarifies the way I try looking at the world. (http://www.americansuburbx.com/2009/07/theory-paul-graham-photography-is-easy.html)

And then I visited his retrospective at Whitechapel Gallery in 2011. Twice. And would have loved to spend a few more days there. It's by far the best solo photographic exhibition I've evr been to and the catalog is a good read for those that missed it. The Northern Ireland series was profound, the Shimmer of Possibility astounding. It takes some time and loads of commitment to appreciate his vision but once immersed it's as rewarding as any timeless art can be.

I strongly recommend the catalog of his retrospective, and of course his individual books even more. Even better seeing the prints on a wall. Take your time, try slowing down and don't try to explain or judge. Just look and study.

Congratulations Mr. Graham.

most probably this is a mistake

I am sure Mr Graham understands that the images above do not deserve the award....most probably this is kind of a mistake?

wtf?

what pretentious trash! horrid pictures! i give up.. these are not 'images' I've seen better shots on Facebook taken with iPhones whilst breast feeding! ...