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The
Making of a Merit Image
When picking out the image you would like to enter
into competition you should know that there are many items as juror looks when
rendering there score.
What to look for in a photograph, the most important
thing to remember when reviewing the below is that the elements are listed in
accordance to their importance.
| 1.
Impact: What you see first - what has the most impact, what
creates you first impression - it could be a strong feeling of power,
what commands you to look - what holds your eye?, and the impact could
be any of the elements list below. |
7.
Center of Interest: Dominance of objects or subject matter,
a group of subject and arrangement of objects so one center of interest
prevails, subject matter holds the eye with no distractions, moody or
misty, strength and definition gives the center of interest;
secondary points are very important to the photograph, but you must
always be able to come back to the center of interest. |
| 2.
Creativity: Using your imagination, being very original or
a fresh approach on a subject matter, creative cropping, creative use of
subject matter, content could be very abstract, invention, design,
feeling and imagination lifts the photograph into the realm of
art. |
8.
Lighting:
A good statement of light, good portrait lighting, dynamic lighting,
pattern of light can add to the enhancement. Strong mood can be
created by the lighting, lighting is the art of reproducing the
characteristics of the subjects or objects. |
| 3.
Style:
The part of the photography that sets your work apart from the rest,
a different way of seeing, a different way of approaching, a brand new
style, very real and not contrived, experimental, individuality is
obtained in many different ways. |
9.
Subject Matter:
An outstanding interpretation for the subject matter, good camera
angle for the subject matter, selection of the photographic model or
object is important, contrast here can be very creative in selection;
example: old and young, warm and cool. All of these will
complement your work. |
| 4.
Composition:
Good placement of subject matter, a very successful arrangement,
harmonious proportions, using dynamic symmetry to place most important
objects, good rhythm is created by repetition, whether it's color,
spaces, moods, or division of a the photograph. |
10.
Print Quality: Good strong contrast, using the middle
tones, good color balance, expressions and artistic lighting, the
simplest statements are the strongest, good angle on the building,
backgrounds in key to the subject matter. |
| 5.
Print Presentation: Does the presentation enhance the
photograph? Good cropping can add to the composition, good color for the
matting or mount can help, daring to be different, using something
dynamic or being very traditional, initial impression can be obtained by
using creative mounting. |
11.
Technique: Different technique for the subject matter,
techniques is the foundation of photography, but a knowledge of the art
principles are very necessary, using creative and abstract can help, and
design brings abstract ideas into concrete form. |
| 6.
Color Balance: A good technique for the photograph a good
selection of color for the subject matter or objects, using a very
interpretative color (maybe not normal at all), creative use of color -
example: complementary colors, dark against light, strong against
weak. |
12.
Storytelling:
A good strong statement, complete story within the photograph,
successful presentation, achievement of purpose, first glance has
complete meaning, strong mood or emotion, using strong complementary
colors next to each other, strong mood with the photograph, builds and
emotional response challenging your imagination. |
At the
Convention be sure to go to the print critique held after the print
competition. It is a great way to learn why prints did well, why they did
not, and what could have been done to improve the image.
There are an number of
Master Photographers that are members of PPARI, they would be happy at anytime
to look at your competition work and give you some guidance.
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