What ugly and beautiful photographs reveal about COVID-19 lockdown experiences, everyday aesthetics and photography aesthetics

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted our daily (visual) experiences, we asked people to take an ugly and beautiful photograph from within their homes. In total, 284 photographs (142 ugly and 142 beautiful) and accompanying statements were submitted and brought to light an intimate portrait of how participants were experiencing their (lockdown) home environment. Results revealed an aesthetic preference for (living) nature. Beauty and ugliness were also connected to good versus bad views, mess versus cosiness, unflattering versus flattering portraits and positive versus negative (COVID-19) emotions. In terms of photography strategies, editing and colour were important for beautiful photographs, whereas a lack of effort and sharpness showed up relatively more in ugly photographs. A follow-up study revealed that other viewers' (n = 86) aesthetic judgements of the photographs were largely in line with the original submissions, and confirmed several of the themes. Overall, our study provides a unique photographic window on our everyday aesthetic experiences at home during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Automated summary

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, people were asked to submit an ugly and beautiful photograph taken from within their homes. The results showed a preference for natural beauty and revealed connections between beauty and ugliness and various visual elements such as views, mess, portraits, and emotions. Photography strategies, such as editing and color, played a significant role in creating beautiful photographs, while a lack of effort and sharpness were more prominent in ugly photographs. The study also confirmed the consistency of aesthetic judgments among viewers.