What makes a photo great?

[Marko]

Actually I have LOADS to say on this topic but I will try and keep it short and I must say i respectfully disagree with your 3rd and 4th points Mad Aussie. (a photo that appeals to you personally regardless of quality and a photo that shows the photographer went well out their way to capture the image regardless of the quality attained). For me quality is a key point - No quality = no greatness. Just cuz you tried hard doesn't cut it except in nursery school.

And just because it appeals to you personally...I don't buy that either. Greatness in anything further needs to be subdivided IMO. There's GREATNESS that the majority of people can agree on (Like the Grand Canyon, Mona Lisa, Catcher in The Rye, etc.) and personal opinion greatness (My 2 year old made this incredible abstract art with crayons and it's great because...it's just great... and if you think otherwise too bad.

For me - it makes sense to divide the answers into 2 groups of perceivers; photographers and everyone else.

Just like a good musician, car aficionado, or wine connoisseur knows a fine piece of music, car and wine respectively, a photographer also has better insight into what makes a great photograph. Of course all humans can look at a photo and say what makes it great, but their answers are not based on 'the rules or customs of the craft'.

For me a great photograph contains ALL of the following;
-A suggested story or strong focal point
-Great printing meaning a full selection of tones from black to white
- No distractions
- good exposure, composition and lighting

Obviously there will be some disagreement here - but that's part of the fun.

anyone else?