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Prints for Competition
Nothing has enhanced my credibility as a portrait photographer during the past few years more than my participation in PP of A print competitions. Not only does the occasional success from participation bolster self confidence, but the free advertising available through press releases in the local media is priceless.
 Observing a professional print competition is the single most valuable learning experience that we have available to us. Where else do we have the opportunity to view and study the best works of photography that our contemporaries are producing? At the same time we have the opportunity to have our work critiqued by photographic masters as we determine where we stand in relation to our peers. It is an experience in which we all should participate.
I believe there are seven serious considerations that need to be made about our portraits when considering whether or not they are candidates to score well. They are:
- subject matter
- lighting
- technique
- composition
- presentation
- the title
- overall impact
Based on my experience I have developed a check list that I believe many novice professional portrait photographers will find beneficial in helping them compete. It will help identify shortcomings in one's work and, therefore, indicate to photographers which parts of their images can be improved.
Print Competition Check List
- Do I have good subject matter?
- Is the subject appropriately clothed?
- Is the subject portrayed in an appropriate environment?
- Is the pose natural and believable?
- Is the expression of the subject appropriate and believable?
- Was the lighting technique chosen for the subject appropriate?
- Is the lighting technique utilized properly?
- Is the subject in key with the background?
- Is the background unobtrusive?
- Are the subject's eyes sharp?
- Is the face the most prominent part of the composition?
- Have the proper rules of composition been utilized?
- Is there good color saturation?
- Has artwork discreetly enhanced the image?
- Does the print presentation enhance the overall image?
- Have I chosen an appropriate title?
- Does the overall presentation of this image have impact?
- Am I satisfied that if given the opportunity to photograph this subject again that I would do it the same way?
Performing the above analysis will enable us to determine the probability that an unbiased observer will like our photograph. In pre-judging our prints it is imperative that we be as critical and objective as possible because the ulitimate judges of the image (the panel of jurors) do not have the emotional attachment that the respective photographer has to his/her work.
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