What's most important to you?

[ShaolinTiger]

When viewing or judging a photograph, what is the most important thing to you, the one that can really make you love or dislike a photo.

I guess for most people it would be a combination of factors, but which one stands out most for you?

[jayhan]

I'm inclined to conceptual stuff. cuz it will make the photo either stand out or sit out. :P Lighting will be second to that then, followed by the other technical du-wops.

[Norm]

As mentioned... it'll be combination of several factors.
But for me, first & foremost that normally caught my attention will be
the sharpness of the main subject/s related to the overall pix.
It does come in combination with the lighting as well as DoF (technique?).
Only then I'd look at composition, supporting subjects etc...

Normally those blurry photos from my CF won't made it to the folder in
my hardisk... but of course, if it's the only one and the 'special moment'
kind of things, it'll stay..:P

[limgt]

Composition.

I believe that many elements can be fixed thru post-processing (eg lighting, color balance, saturation etc) but not composition. It's thru composition that people learn to shoot creatively, and not just every-day-shots.

[ND40]

Others. HEART!!

an image taken with heart had no meaning. Sometimes the result might not be that impressive, but the hard work of the photog should be praised.

[dwaynefoong]

i see the lighting first, composition second. :)

[noordin]

A picture that tells a story or many stories. The lighting may not be perfect, the sharpness may be a tad out but is the image convey strong emotions then that's for me.

[ShaolinTiger]

Interesting poll results fairly varied with strong contenders for clear/sharp and composition.