WedComp

Yesterday I blogged about how important I think entering photo contest are for photographers. And I got a few emails (and you know who you are! :) ) from photographers who are newer in the biz (and by that I mean in the last 5 years...I'm an old dog at this point going on 13 years doing this) asking me specifics about photo competition. The resounding fear from each email was that "I don't know what to enter".

Online contest are different from in person photo critiques, but they are a great way to get your feet wet and to get an idea of what to enter. First, I recommend that you spend some time looking through contests that are over to see what the winners look like. In some cases, you will see comments from the judges as to what they liked, and what they didn't. Sometimes not. This is where there are some similarities to "real time" judging. I can't even tell you how many times I've sat in a darkened room with 3 or 4 judges scrutinizing a print I labored over only to stoically enter their scores without a word, while my world came crumbling down when they delivered a score of 60, 65...70. Which in photographic terms means, you are not a hack, but this ain't no merit print. To "merit" you must get a score over 80. And very often when that happens, the judges are talking, and arguing and you get some really good (and sometimes harsh) feedback on the print.

Here are the 12 elements of a GOOD photograph that judges are looking for.

(source...PPA.com. And if you are a photographer and not a member, shame on you. Go register now)

1. Impact is the sense one gets upon viewing an image for the first time. Compelling images evoke laughter, sadness, anger, pride, wonder, or another intense emotion.
2. Creativity is the external expression of the imagination of the maker by using the medium to convey an idea, message, or thought.
3. Style is defined in a number of ways as it applies to a creative image. It might be defined by a specific genre or simply be recognizable as the characteristics of how a specific artist applies light to a subject. It can impact an image in a positive manner when the subject matter and the style are appropriate for each other, or it can have a negative effect when they are at odds.
4. Composition is important to the design of an image, bringing all of the visual elements together in concert to express the purpose of the image. Proper composition holds the viewer in the image and prompts the viewer to look where the creator intends. Effective composition can be pleasing or disturbing, depending on the intent of the image maker.
5. Print Presentation affects an image by giving it a finished look. The mats and borders used should support and enhance the image, not distract from it.
6. Center of Interest is the point or points on the image where the maker wants the viewer to stop as they view the image. There can be primary and secondary centers of interest. Occasionally there will be no specific center of interest, when the entire scene collectively serves as the center of interest.
7. Lighting—the use and control of light—refers to how dimension, shape and roundness are defined in an image. Whether the light applied to an image is man made or natural, proper use of it should enhance an image.
8. Subject Matter should always be appropriate to the story being told in an image.
9. Color Balance supplies harmony to an image. An image in which the tones work together, effectively supporting the image, can enhance its emotional appeal. Color balance is not always harmonious and can be used to evoke diverse feelings for effect.
10. Technical Excellence is the print quality of the image itself as it is presented for viewing. Sharpness, exposure, printing, mounting, and correct color all speak to the qualities of the physical print.
11. Technique is the approach used to create the image. Printing, lighting, posing, film choice, paper selection, and more are part of the technique applied to an image.
12. Story-Telling refers to the image’s ability to evoke imagination. One beautiful thing about art is that each viewer might collect his own message or read her own story in an image.

I budget $500 per year for photo contests...sometimes more. If this sounds like a lot...it's not. Back in "the day" you could spend nearly $100 to have one print made for photo critique. Now you can enter electronically and the fees are minimal, usually around $10 per image.

The next photo contest up at bat is Wedcomp and when I saw the list of judges I was totally stoked. Does anyone stay "stoked" anymore? Just wondering. Anyway, these are some seriously talented heavy-hitters in the wedding photography industry and if they say your stuff is good then you have a ticket to ride my friend. Check their portfolios

Rachel LaCour Neisen


Cliff Mautner


Zack Arias


Jennifer Bebb



So I encourage you to do it. First, go through all your images you think are the best you have. Then begin eliminating them according to the guidelines above. Don't ask your clients, or your spouse, or your best friend if they think the image is good. Remove the rah rah cheerleaders from your life and really focus (ha!) on the elements of the photo. Ask other photographers. I'm always happy to look at other people's work and let them know if I think a photograph is a good contest entry. And no, I won't refund your money if you don't win :)

I will tell you this, the most common mistake I see are photographers who are entering pictures that they think are great that are commonplace. I'm being honest here: weddings have many of the same elements week after week. For our clients, they are not commonplace because it's them getting their gown on for the first time so those images are precious to them. But if you enter a photo of a bride peeking out of her dress when she is putting it on it damn well better be a totally new and interesting angle the judges have never seen before week after week as they are shooting weddings. You have to make them say "That is a great shot, I wish I had taken it"

I'm stepping off my soapbox now and I'm going to go purchase some contest credits for wedcomp.

Who's gonna join me?