If you missed the Camera Club meeting last week, here's a list of thing to consider when entering a photography competion.
Impact -- How a judge responds to an image the moment it is seen for the first time.
Creativity -- How different or unusual the overall image is.
Style -- Does it have flair, pizzazz, a feeling all its own; does the style fit the subject matter.
Composition – How the elements in the image are put together; is the center of interest (if there is one) appropriately placed within the image; if there are leading lines, they should enhance the image.
Color Balance – Skin tones should look normal; all other tones should be in normal ranges, unless the purpose of the image is to present shocking or unnatural color representation.
Center of Interest – Not all images have a center of interest, but generally it helps if they do.
Lighting – The lighting should be appropriate for the subject matter and should be well controlled.
Subject – It should be clear what the subject of the image is; remember, most judges view an image for under 30 seconds, so it must be clear what the image is about.
Technique – Does the technique fit the image, or is it just being used to show off the technique; the whole image should fit the subject matter and category.
Storytelling – If possible, the image should convey some kind of story about the subject, the environment, or the situation; not all images need to convey a storytelling aspect, but when they do, especially if it evokes an emotional response, your chances of success are better.
Print Presentation – How the overall matting, and /or underlay works with the image; color harmony between mat and the image. Carefully worked with a professional look.
Print Quality – This generally means, things should be sharp and properly printed for the judging lights.
Many thanks to Claude Kelly for his presentation and for making this information available.
