Contests - What do judges look for?

[The_Traveler]

The judge was a professor from a local community college. The brochure says she has exhibited at regional colleges and universities, and at museums, and various galleries.
Given all this, one would think she would be looking for composition, technical details, etc. Not snapshots.

It is not "composition, technical details,etc" that make a great picture. Great pictures capture something special that is essentially inexpressible in words and these few criteria are only the way we try to describe that something - usually inadequately.

She might have been quite an insightful artist that isn't fooled by pixel count or perfect reproduction.
.

 

[Derrel]

Oftentimes, kitschy, crappy,stereotypical and cliche pictures are selected as winners. Depends on the contest, and the judging. Think "LCD" most of the time--lowest common denominator. Seek out fiery sunsets, busty babes, cute kitties, charming children, luscious landscapes,and other similar cliche material...you'll probably make honorable mention, at least!

Careful with the busty babes I once had an image score last place because one of the judges found it too "titilating" (see below). Of course Ive also had judges reject every sunset picture because he felt they were cliche.
Like everyone else has said its art and its all opinion of the judges. Ive had a lot of work rejected from compeitions, and then when I see the winners I can go oh, so thats what they were looking for. Its not that your pictures are bad, its just not what they were looking for.

Her titillating don't show...

 

[Fleetwood271]

OK - I just gotta share how this story ended.

I went to pick up my pictures last Sat morning. I walk in and say that I am there to get my pictures, and ask if they are in the back. I was told that two of them are, but that I could not take the third one home yet. I was told it won People Choice Award for the entire show. I was floored!
That picture, along with the 1st place winners in each category, will be kept on display for a couple of weeks.

The public was allowed to cast their vote for their favorite and one of mine won.

I was also approached by the president of the Arts Council and asked if I would be interested in doing a show at the Welcome Center. She said my pictures generated much discussion.

Here is the winner:

 

[mishele]

Congrats............could we see the other pictures?

 

[Fleetwood271]

Congrats............could we see the other pictures?

Sure, but I've posted them previously. Here they are:

 

[The_Traveler]

3 nice photos each with its own positive characteristics.
the kiwi would get the most votes from photographers, I think

 

[mishele]

All very nice shots. I like the 3rd the best!! Thanks for posting them again......I must of missed them the first time....=)
Just a Q, did you frame them yourself?

 

[Fleetwood271]

3 nice photos each with its own positive characteristics.
the kiwi would get the most votes from photographers, I think

You're exactly right. I've found that the other photographers at the contest really liked the kiwi shot. Several asked how it was done, and the camera setting, and for my set-up, etc. Several said they thought it should have won the Best of Show.

The puppy won the people choice (see Derrel's "fiery sunsets, busty babes, cute kitties, charming children, luscious landscapes,and other similar cliche material" comment above) award, which means it appealed more to the non-photographers, who found it interesting, or as you said, "Great pictures capture something special that is essentially inexpressible in words".

The kiwi was (according to the president of the Arts Council) the most discussed photo in the contest, so it appealed to the people who understood what was involved in capturing that image.

It's been a learning experience. Kinda like life.

 

[Fleetwood271]

All very nice shots. I like the 3rd the best!! Thanks for posting them again......I must of missed them the first time....=)
Just a Q, did you frame them yourself?

No, I did not. I had them framed at a local frame shop. And I must say the framing and matting added a lot to the images. The kiwi and strawberries both had a 3 to 4 inch white mat. The kiwi had a very dark blue metal frame, which matched the dark blue in the image perfectly. The strawberry had a green metal frame, which was a close match for the bright green leaves in the image.
For the puppy, we did not mat it, but used a wide wooden frame. If I have time tonight, I might try to get some shots of all three in frames, to give you some idea.

One more note. We tried the green frame with no mat on the kiwi, and it looks great. We will probably frame a few like that and offer them for sale in the Frame Shop. We also tried the strawberries in a white wood frame without a mat and it looks really good too. We may frame it and offer it for sale also.

 

[The_Traveler]

The winning one could fall into the 'snapshot' category (nothing derogatory intended).
One had to be there, see the shot and then take it quickly before it evaporated, with the right angle to include what was important and leave out what wasn't.
It would resound with people just because it has so many elements that people can identify with - puppies, death, loyalty, etc.
It is a good and accessible example of a 'street' shot (although not shot on the street obviously).

 

[Fleetwood271]

The winning one could fall into the 'snapshot' category (nothing derogatory intended).
One had to be there, see the shot and then take it quickly before it evaporated, with the right angle to include what was important and leave out what wasn't.
It would resound with people just because it has so many elements that people can identify with - puppies, death, loyalty, etc.
It is a good and accessible example of a 'street' shot (although not shot on the street obviously).

Agreed.

 

[RSisco]

The artificial DOF/blurred background in this picture was really throwing me off, until I realized what was messing with my eyes... it was the stick in the womans hand, it's blurred between the picture of christ and the baby. It shouldn't be. I am sure this wasn't intended, so I figured I would point it out.

Rick

 

[The_Traveler]

thanks for pointing that out.
this must have been an early edition with that mistake intact.
here is the one on my site.