My process as a camera club monthly photo competition judge

Have you participated in a photo contest or a monthly photo competition and wondered how the judge assesses the images? In this podcast video, I unveil the mystery and explain my process.

Entering a photo competition or a camera club monthly photo competition is a great way to have your work recognised and more importantly, receive some educated and experienced feedback from someone impartial.

As a smartphone photographer educator, I often deliver presentations and workshops at camera clubs. I also have the absolute privilege of judging monthly photo competitions – either for a smartphone category or open theme.

I am acutely aware that I come with prejudices and that my assessments, interpretations and assertions are subjective.

Initial Formulated Sorting Process

I have broken assessments into 5 main stages of image creation with the potential to score 15 points.

Intention – 3 points

Composition – 3 points

Lighting – 3 points

Equipment – 2 point

Editing – 4 points

1. Intention

Whenever you lift your smartphone to take a photo – take a moment to pause and think about what motivated me to take this photo?

2. Composition

This refers to the structure of the photo – positioning the main subject and different elements and how they all interact with each other to direct and hold the attention of the viewer.

3. Lighting

This is very under-rated in photography. The light direction, quality and quantity can really add to the intention of the image.

4. Equipment

Knowing how to get more out of your iPhone or Android camera, all the features of your camera and camera replacement apps and accessories for your smartphone can really extend the capability of your photographic tool.

5. Editing

As much as I am an absolute advocate for editing every image – I also scrutinize it for it being over-done. Unnatural colours, unrealistic lighting, awkwardly cut-off objects and balance and visual tension can create a visual irritation for the viewer.

Deciding placements and feedback

For each image – I document one or two positive observations that really work in the image and one or two considerations pivoted around the five stages of a great image, listed above. The most common suggestions are a re-crop to focus more on the subject and editing suggestions to make the intention of the image stand out further.

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Be passionate, Be creative and Stay curious

- Mike

Read the full article at https://www.smartphonephotographytraining.com/capturing-photos/camera-club-photo-competition-judge