Interesting blog from a judges perspective

[windrider86]

Douglas Beasley Photography

[lputman]

That was a very interesting read!

[castman]

I think so too.

[AndCity]

Very interesting. As someone who has only entered one photographic competition it was well worth reading. I now realise I don't stand a hope in hell in winning the said competition!

[windrider86]

Keep in mind that every judge is different. If you have a way to do it, research the judge beforehand. Find out a little about them, what they like, what they dont like. That can make all the difference int he world.
I did a show last year with a mixed media show. The judge did some sort of painting but was all abstract, it showed witht he ones he picked as winners
One I did in New Mexico had a photographer as a judge who still shot in film and was very into realism. Guess the sort of images she picked!

[naeno]

This is interesting because I entered a competition not too long ago on pictorial children's photography. I'm certainly not saying mine were "the best", but the ones that were picked...well, I didn't hardly like at all. None of the kids looked happy. (Maybe I'm one of those who could look at the "cute" pictures all day long). The winner was of a girl walking down an overgrown path looking none too happy about it. It was black and white. One of the biggest child pic composition "no-nos" was blatant, it wasn't taken on level with the child. The photographer was positioned standing in front of the child, photographing down. I didn't get it at all! There were others that were so much better, but it taught me it really does just depend on the judges tastes.

Thanks for the read.

[milosh]

Interesting to see how one judging process takes place, something new for me.

[aropilot]

Very interesting to read ones "challenge" to judging a contest like that.
I entered 4 photos into the 2009 Iowa State Fair in August and at the pre-fair ceremony, the "superintendent" explained their process...
1. only 4 entries per person
2. over 5000 entries
3. 3 judges - 1 instructor / 1 professional free-lance / 1 "corporate"
4. several hundred were chosen to display
5. way over 4000 don't make the cut

I thought my 4 were pretty good, but only 1 was on display. I feel LUCKY!