Here are the two slides presented at the beginning of the Anonymous Critique on December 12, 2017. The first slide, “What Judges Look For”, lists general characteristics photo judges may look for in selecting images worthy of awards. The second slide, “Reasons Judges Throw Out Images”, lists some of the many reasons images don’t make the cut. The items listed are far from complete and some items may not apply to all types of photography such as photojournalism, abstract art and intentional blurry images.
Mike Whalen
What Photo Judges Look For
Strong Initial Impact
- The WOW factor!
- Something new, different or creative
- Tells a story
- Keeps the viewers attention
Easily Identifiable Subject
- Sharp, colorful and contrasty
- Right size & well Lit
- Stands out from the background
Good Composition
- Well placed subject (e.g., rule of 3rd’s)
- “Balanced” subject with other objects
- Non-conflicting background
Technical Excellence
- Correct white-balance, exposure, contrast and saturation
Minimal Post-Processing
Simplicity – Less is more!
Reasons Judges Throw Out Images
The subject is:
- Very common image – “Record Shot”
- Blurry, poorly lit or too small
- Blends in with the background
Composition:
- Distractions
- Poorly placed objects
- Too close to edges
- Subject is centered
- Horizon is centered or not level
- Image is too “busy” with no clear focal point
- Too much dead space
Technical
- Bright spots near edges
- Blown highlights / Dark shadows
- Keystoning or non-parallel (vertical) lines
- Camera focuses on the wrong point
Post-processing – (too little or too much)
- Image is: under-processed or flat,
- Over-saturated or over-sharpened,
- Over-processed