{"id":11666,"date":"2017-12-13T21:03:00","date_gmt":"2017-12-14T02:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/?p=11666"},"modified":"2018-12-10T10:24:44","modified_gmt":"2018-12-10T15:24:44","slug":"anonymous-critique-what-judges-look-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/anonymous-critique-what-judges-look-for\/","title":{"rendered":"December 12, 2017: E&T – Anonymous Critique – What Judges Look For"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

Mike Whalen<\/p>\n

 <\/h2>\n

What Photo Judges Look For<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Strong Initial Impact<\/h4>\n
    \n
  • The WOW factor!<\/li>\n
  • Something new, different or creative<\/li>\n
  • Tells a story<\/li>\n
  • Keeps the viewers attention<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Easily Identifiable Subject<\/h4>\n
      \n
    • Sharp<\/u>, colorful and contrasty<\/li>\n
    • Right size & well Lit<\/li>\n
    • Stands out from the background<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Good Composition<\/h4>\n
        \n
      • Well placed subject (e.g., rule of 3rd\u2019s)<\/li>\n
      • \u201cBalanced\u201d subject with other objects<\/li>\n
      • Non-conflicting background<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Technical Excellence<\/h4>\n
          \n
        • Correct white-balance, exposure, contrast and saturation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Minimal Post-Processing<\/h4>\n

          Simplicity \u2013 Less is more!<\/h4>\n
          \n

          Reasons Judges Throw Out Images<\/h2>\n

          The subject is:<\/h4>\n
            \n
          • Very common image \u2013 \u201cRecord Shot\u201d<\/li>\n
          • Blurry<\/u>, poorly lit or too small<\/li>\n
          • Blends in with the background<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Composition:<\/h4>\n
              \n
            • Distractions<\/li>\n
            • Poorly placed objects<\/li>\n
            • Too close to edges<\/li>\n
            • Subject is centered<\/li>\n
            • Horizon is centered or not level<\/li>\n
            • Image is too \u201cbusy\u201d with no clear focal point<\/li>\n
            • Too much dead space<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Technical<\/h4>\n
                \n
              • Bright spots near edges<\/li>\n
              • Blown highlights \/ Dark shadows<\/li>\n
              • Keystoning or non-parallel (vertical) lines<\/li>\n
              • Camera focuses on the wrong point<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Post-processing \u2013 (too little or too much)<\/h4>\n
                  \n
                • Image is: under-processed or flat,<\/li>\n
                • Over-saturated or over-sharpened,<\/li>\n
                • Over-processed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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