When it comes to qualities that make a good photo, sharpness sits high up on our list. It’s in the way we pixel peep. It’s in the top features of the latest and greatest cameras and lenses. Every image editing software today promises to straighten out kinks and blurs to give you tack-sharp images. But, ever wondered why we’re so obsessed with it?

In the video above, Alex Kilbee of The Photographic Eye shares some interesting insights on why so many photographers — himself included — are so hung up on sharpness. He traces the origins of this obsession to the departure from pictorialism to pure or straight photography. While painterly pictorialism leaned more towards creating an atmosphere and expressing emotional intent, straight photography used sharp focus and detail to depict a scene or subject with reality in mind.

Apart from touching on the works of prominent photographers who established the movements, Kilbee also makes a case for both with some modern examples. In the end, each style has its own purpose, charm and impact. As such, perhaps, the best way to look at sharpness is not as the be-all and end-all of photography. Rather, how can its presence or absence communicate or enhance your creative vision?

Do you agree with Kilbee’s insights, or do you have a theory of your own? Share your thoughts on this fascination for sharpness in the comments below, or in our group discussions if you’re already part of the Photofocus Community!