A major attribute of a featured picture is that it is a photograph, diagram, image or animation which is among the best examples of a given subject that the encyclopedia has to offer. As these examples show, a featured picture is not always required to be aesthetically pleasing; it might be shocking, impressive, or just highly informative.

• Images depicting historical and unique events may be exempt from some quality concerns
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  This photograph of a ribbon may be unclear, but it is of high historical importance and very encyclopedic
  (Promoted November 2006)
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  It may be grainy and poorly-framed, yet this image of the Normandy landing is unique, encyclopedic and powerful
  (Promoted April 2007)
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  Unique images, like the only known photograph of Frédéric Chopin, need not conform to the usual quality criteria
  (Promoted April 2005)

• Featured pictures should be clear and descriptive and photographs should have good lighting
• 
  Great lighting can make the difference between an ordinary photo and a featured picture
  (Promoted March 2007)
• 
  Some subjects are best illustrated when photographed at opportune times of day
  (Promoted January 2007)

• Pictures need not be classically beautiful to become featured
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  Graphically composed, highly encyclopedic and compelling
  (Promoted January 2007)
• 
  Informative, high-resolution medical photography is rarely aesthetically pleasing, but it is highly encyclopedic
  (Promoted December 2006)

• Wikipedia:Featured pictures#Directory