From time to time, I enter a local photography contest. It is a valuable and humbling exercise for me. It forces me to edit a few photos making sure they are ready to print. Then comes the printing. It is easier said than done. I constantly have to remind myself that the prints will appear darker than the screen versions. The final step is framing and attaching wire for hanging.
But wait, I omitted the most difficult step and it comes before editing and after it too! This most important and daunting step is choosing which photographs to enter into a contest. I always choose several of my favorites, and then eliminate most of them in a slow painful process. The pain comes when I discover that a photo that I though was special doesn’t make the grade. I remember how difficult it was to get to the location or how many times I went back to get the light just right. It could be any of a long list of reasons why I worked hard to get shot and then it doesn’t meet my expectations. It is frustrating. If I took extreme measures to get the shot, then it should be a good one, right? Not necessarily! So I have to omit some right away. Then there are others that look good, but after editing, they just don’t make the cut. Sometimes I print a photo before I realize that it just isn’t as good as I had hoped. Finally I have the photos I want to enter. It could be one photo or up to eight based on contest guidelines and the photos I have captured.
I recently entered the Rockingham County Fine Arts Festival in my county. I entered 2 in the category called “computer art”. I entered two in the “black & white” category and 4 “color” photographs. The results were surprising. My photographs that I expected to be rated well were not the ones that received recognition. This was not the first time this has happened. It is not a reflection of the judge’s qualifications. He is an expert photographer with excellent credentials. Apparently, I just can’t be objective when judging my photographs. In the past, friends have voiced similar reactions so I am no alone in this quandary. Having said all that, I decided to let you voice you opinion on which you would choose.
But wait, I omitted the most difficult step and it comes before editing and after it too! This most important and daunting step is choosing which photographs to enter into a contest. I always choose several of my favorites, and then eliminate most of them in a slow painful process. The pain comes when I discover that a photo that I though was special doesn’t make the grade. I remember how difficult it was to get to the location or how many times I went back to get the light just right. It could be any of a long list of reasons why I worked hard to get shot and then it doesn’t meet my expectations. It is frustrating. If I took extreme measures to get the shot, then it should be a good one, right? Not necessarily! So I have to omit some right away. Then there are others that look good, but after editing, they just don’t make the cut. Sometimes I print a photo before I realize that it just isn’t as good as I had hoped. Finally I have the photos I want to enter. It could be one photo or up to eight based on contest guidelines and the photos I have captured.
I recently entered the Rockingham County Fine Arts Festival in my county. I entered 2 in the category called “computer art”. I entered two in the “black & white” category and 4 “color” photographs. The results were surprising. My photographs that I expected to be rated well were not the ones that received recognition. This was not the first time this has happened. It is not a reflection of the judge’s qualifications. He is an expert photographer with excellent credentials. Apparently, I just can’t be objective when judging my photographs. In the past, friends have voiced similar reactions so I am no alone in this quandary. Having said all that, I decided to let you voice you opinion on which you would choose.
Which would you choose, White Oak Sinks or Beauty Lies Within?
Yin Yang or Password Protected?
Which color photography would you choose?
Hints:
I received an honorable mention in Computer Art, first place in Black & White Photography and second place in Color Photography. Which would choose?
Updated answer:
I received an honorable mention for "Beauty Lies Within" in the Computer Arts category. I earned first place in Black and White Photography for "Password Protected". I took second place in Color Photography for "Knock". These are the results of my efforts in the 2014 Rockingham County Fine Arts Festival. I had expected White Oak Sinks, Yin Yang and Night Life Under the Pier to be my highest rated photos.
I received an honorable mention in Computer Art, first place in Black & White Photography and second place in Color Photography. Which would choose?
Updated answer:
I received an honorable mention for "Beauty Lies Within" in the Computer Arts category. I earned first place in Black and White Photography for "Password Protected". I took second place in Color Photography for "Knock". These are the results of my efforts in the 2014 Rockingham County Fine Arts Festival. I had expected White Oak Sinks, Yin Yang and Night Life Under the Pier to be my highest rated photos.
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