The point is not that the two photos are quite similar, but why such images continue to be created and awarded when the idea has not been new for a long time.
In the opinions given, many people mentioned that the motif of holding fish to cover eyes is not anyone's own creation, before Khanh Phan, some other international photographers had taken similar images and won high prizes. And going further back, we will realize that this is a visual motif that has existed in image history, from painting, surreal art to contemporary photography, where humans experiment with placing the eyes of another species (fish, birds or cats...) on their faces as a form of metaphor of vision, of the exchange between humans and the natural world.
So, what we are seeing today is actually just a late variant of an idea that has existed for many years. At that time, the story is no longer whether a photographer "plagiarized" someone else's idea or not, but lies in the fact that if everyone knows that the idea has existed, has been exploited many times and even has become a familiar image, then continuing to repeat it is no longer a coincidence but a conscious choice, aimed at creating an immediate visual effect, easily accepted. In an environment where awards are increasing, competitive pressure is increasing, choosing a safe path, a proven formula, becomes an attractive choice.
In a photo contest, the fact that a photo wins the highest prize no longer means that it brings a new perspective, but sometimes only reflects that it suits the current aesthetic taste of the judges, is impressive enough and "strange" enough in the eyes of international viewers.
But that raises a bigger question about the value of photography in the current context, when images are increasingly easy to create, easy to edit and spread at lightning speed, what is left to make the difference between a visually impacting photo and a truly valuable photo.
The answer probably lies in the fact that photography is not just about creating a beautiful image but in its uniqueness, originality (original) when each individual's perspective and perception of the world around them are unique.And that is creativity.And when everything is replaced by repetitive formulas, by proven and pre-packaged ideas, photography gradually leaves its essence and becomes a form of image production, where the new is no longer sought but the effective is prioritized.The value of photography does not disappear immediately but will be eroded little by little, the image world becomes smoother, easier to accept but also becomes less profound and no longer strong enough to keep viewers staying for long.
