cleveland photographic society · final thoughts on presentation ... ties aties arre brokene...

Cleveland PhotographicCleveland Photographic

SocietySociety

How to Compete EffectivelyHow to Compete Effectively

Updated: September 29, 2011Updated: September 29, 2011

NEW for 2011

NEW for 2011

-

-

12

12

New Classifications in People

New Classifications in People

Competition:

Competition:

Candid

Candid

Posed

Posed

Studio

Studio

New Year

New Year

-

-

End Award for Peoples Choice

End Award for Peoples Choice

Photojournalism!

Photojournalism!

What We

What We

’

’

ll be Discussing

ll be Discussing

Selecting an Image

Selecting an Image

Categories and Classifications

Categories and Classifications

Competition Frequency

Competition Frequency

Preparing Your Image


Rules

Rules

–

–

and Unwritten Rules

and Unwritten Rules

Mounting & Matting

Mounting & Matting

Naming & Labeling

Naming & Labeling

Sizing for Projection

Sizing for Projection

What Else We

What Else We

’

’

ll be Discussing

ll be Discussing

Competition Nights

Competition Nights

Process and Procedures

Process and Procedures

Judging

Judging

Scoring

Scoring

Accumulated Points

Accumulated Points

Year

Year

-

-

End Competition

End Competition

Your Questions

Your Questions

Selecting An Image

Selecting An Image

Competition Categories and Competition Categories and

ClassificationsClassifications

CreativeCreative

Thru the LensThru the Lens

FiltersFilters

Lenses Lenses –– Kaleidoscope, Kaleidoscope,

lensbabylensbaby, pinhole, etc., pinhole, etc.

Technique Technique –– multiple multiple

exposures, etc.exposures, etc.



CreativeCreative

Thru ProcessingThru Processing

Significant PhotoshopSignificant Photoshop

Photoshop CreationsPhotoshop Creations

Substantial MergersSubstantial Mergers

Obvious HDR (high dynamic Obvious HDR (high dynamic

range)range)

Etc.Etc.



NatureNature

Color and Black & WhiteColor and Black & White

No No ‘‘hand of man / evidence of manhand of man / evidence of man’’

except scientific banding on wild except scientific banding on wild

animalsanimals

Domesticated flowers or animals are Domesticated flowers or animals are

permittedpermitted

NaturallyNaturally--occurring dark and black occurring dark and black

backgrounds are permitted (including backgrounds are permitted (including

those induced by flash)those induced by flash)



Nature Nature -- continuedcontinued

Minimal Photoshop:Minimal Photoshop:

Levels, Brightness/Contrast, slight Levels, Brightness/Contrast, slight

Hue/Saturation, slight Hue/Saturation, slight

Dodging/Burning, Sharpening, etc. Dodging/Burning, Sharpening, etc.

are permittedare permitted

Heavy adjustments of any kind Heavy adjustments of any kind

(cloning, layer(cloning, layer--masking, obvious masking, obvious

HDR) are prohibitedHDR) are prohibited

Keep to the Keep to the ‘‘TruthTruth’’ of the original of the original

imageimage



People People –– NEW for 2011NEW for 2011--1212

PeoplePeople

People PartsPeople Parts

Evidence of People Evidence of People

(footprints, snow angels, etc.)(footprints, snow angels, etc.)

No distinction between B & W No distinction between B & W

and Colorand Color



People (continued): People (continued):

CandidCandid::

Totally unTotally un--posedposed

Subject unaware s/he is Subject unaware s/he is

being photographedbeing photographed




PosedPosed::

Subject poses on their own Subject poses on their own

OROR

Subject takes ANY direction Subject takes ANY direction

from the photographer (even from the photographer (even

‘‘look herelook here’’))




’’StudioStudio’’::

Photographer poses or Photographer poses or

directs the subject directs the subject ANDAND

Photographer creates or Photographer creates or

substantially manipulates the substantially manipulates the

backgroundbackground




’’StudioStudio’’ (continued):(continued):

Background manipulation could Background manipulation could

have occurred at time of shoot or have occurred at time of shoot or

in postin post--processingprocessing

Image does NOT need to be Image does NOT need to be

created in a studio environment to created in a studio environment to

still fall into this categorystill fall into this category



Pictorial Pictorial

Open CategoryOpen Category

ALL images fit ALL images fit –– even those even those

from other categories from other categories




ProjectionProjection

Digital images projected Digital images projected

Open CategoryOpen Category

ALL images fit ALL images fit –– even those even those

from other categories from other categories


Competition FrequencyCompetition Frequency

Held throughout each club Held throughout each club

year (June thru May)year (June thru May)

Print Competitions held 3 Print Competitions held 3

times per yeartimes per year

Projection Competitions Projection Competitions

held 4 times per yearheld 4 times per year

Image RulesImage Rules

Limit of 2 images per competitionLimit of 2 images per competition

Any combinationAny combination

Minimum size 8 x 10 (80 square Minimum size 8 x 10 (80 square

inches)inches)

Maximum size 11 x 17 (~187 Maximum size 11 x 17 (~187

square inches)square inches)

““StandardStandard”” size = 11 x 14size = 11 x 14

Image RulesImage Rules

If the image contains ANY If the image contains ANY

color, it must be entered in the color, it must be entered in the

Color classificationColor classification

SingleSingle--toned images (e.g. toned images (e.g.

sepia) are considered Black sepia) are considered Black

& White& White

““UnwrittenUnwritten”” Image RulesImage Rules

DonDon’’t enter the same t enter the same

image in Color AND Black & image in Color AND Black &

White White –– choose onechoose one

DonDon’’t t ‘‘soaksoak’’ your winners your winners

by entering a slightly by entering a slightly

altered version again altered version again -- EVEREVER

PrintingPrinting

CommercialCommercial

SelfSelf--PrintedPrinted

GlossyGlossy

Matte or Luster finishMatte or Luster finish

Mounting and MattingMounting and Matting

Mounting = Image attached Mounting = Image attached

to a backing boardto a backing board

Less expensiveLess expensive

Picture more subject to Picture more subject to

scratching during handlingscratching during handling


Matting = Image attached from Matting = Image attached from

behind to a mat board with a behind to a mat board with a

cutcut--outout

Slightly more expensiveSlightly more expensive

Protects from scratchingProtects from scratching

NOTE: Mats reduce visible image NOTE: Mats reduce visible image

size by size by ¼¼ inch on both dimensionsinch on both dimensions


Mounting board to protect Mounting board to protect

back and present stiff imageback and present stiff image

Mat board in front to protect Mat board in front to protect

against scratching and present a against scratching and present a

professional appearanceprofessional appearance

This is the recommended This is the recommended

formatformat


No size restrictions on No size restrictions on

mats, but retain proportionsmats, but retain proportions

Mat color is importantMat color is important

Competition matting uses Competition matting uses

either white or black matseither white or black mats

Judges WILL comment Judges WILL comment

unfavorably on colored matsunfavorably on colored mats

NamingNaming

Image names are not read Image names are not read

during the judging roundduring the judging round

Keep it simple and SHORTKeep it simple and SHORT

Nature Titles should be as Nature Titles should be as

specific as possible specific as possible –– dondon’’t t

go for cutego for cute

Try NEVER to use Try NEVER to use ‘‘UntitledUntitled’’

Naming for NatureNaming for Nature

Good:Good:

““SwanSwan””

Better:Better:

““Mute SwanMute Swan””

NEVER:NEVER:

““Pretty Pretty BirdyBirdy””

Naming for NatureNaming for Nature

Flora and Fauna:Flora and Fauna:

Latin name NOT requiredLatin name NOT required

Try to be as accurate as Try to be as accurate as

possiblepossible

(Trillium is better than (Trillium is better than ‘‘white white

flowerflower’’))

Get it right!Get it right!

(a Peony is not a Dahlia)(a Peony is not a Dahlia)

LabelsLabels

Best choice:Best choice:

Download from web onto Avery Download from web onto Avery

blank # 5164blank # 5164

22

ndnd

Best choice:Best choice:

Download from web to plain paperDownload from web to plain paper

Last choice:Last choice:

Get label the night of competitionGet label the night of competition

LabelsLabels

Fill out completely:Fill out completely:

Your nameYour name

Image name Image name –– short, PLEASEshort, PLEASE

Category (Nature, People, etc.)Category (Nature, People, etc.)

Classification (Color, B&W, etc.)Classification (Color, B&W, etc.)

DateDate

LabelsLabels

Fill out horizontally within one Fill out horizontally within one

Category ONLY:Category ONLY:

There is no such thing as Color Nature There is no such thing as Color Nature

Thru the LensThru the Lens

Labels go in the UPPER LEFT Labels go in the UPPER LEFT

corner as you look at the backcorner as you look at the back

If you reIf you re--use a mounting board, use a mounting board,

either cross off an old label or either cross off an old label or

place the new one on top of itplace the new one on top of it

Final Thoughts on PresentationFinal Thoughts on Presentation

Be mindful of your imageBe mindful of your image

Never mount or mat your Never mount or mat your

image in a way that could image in a way that could

damage another print!damage another print!

Poorly mounted images CAN Poorly mounted images CAN

AND WILL BE disqualifiedAND WILL BE disqualified

Preparing for Projection Preparing for Projection

CompetitionCompetition

Upload your images to the club Upload your images to the club

websitewebsite

Upload link and instructions will Upload link and instructions will

be furnished by email to current be furnished by email to current

members and students onlymembers and students only

Upload any time after a previous Upload any time after a previous

competition until 9:00 pm on the competition until 9:00 pm on the

MondayMonday of the competitionof the competition



Sizing:Sizing:

You do NOT need to size your You do NOT need to size your

images if you donimages if you don’’t know how or t know how or

dondon’’t want tot want to

BUT BUT –– sizing your own images sizing your own images

can reduce upload time and can reduce upload time and

ensure your image projects as ensure your image projects as

you want it toyou want it to



Sizing:Sizing:

1024 pixels wide by 768 1024 pixels wide by 768

pixels high fills the screenpixels high fills the screen

Anything more than 72 dpi Anything more than 72 dpi

resolution is wasted and resolution is wasted and

takes longer to uploadtakes longer to upload



Sizing:Sizing:

Photoshop and Elements Photoshop and Elements

can be used (Image > Resize)can be used (Image > Resize)

Many other editing Many other editing

programs can also resizeprograms can also resize



Sizing for PC users Only:Sizing for PC users Only:

XP Users:XP Users:

Google Google ‘‘Microsoft Picture Microsoft Picture ResizerResizer’’

First item should be First item should be ‘‘Microsoft Windows Microsoft Windows

XP Power Toys and AddXP Power Toys and Add--InsIns’’

Under Under ‘‘Power ToysPower Toys’’, click , click ‘‘Power Toys for Power Toys for

Windows XPWindows XP’’

Near the middle of the page, choose Near the middle of the page, choose

‘‘Power ToysPower Toys’’ and then and then ‘‘Image Image ResizerResizer’’

Download (very small file)Download (very small file)



Sizing for PC Users Only (continued):Sizing for PC Users Only (continued):

Windows Vista or 7 Users:Windows Vista or 7 Users:

Type Type http://http://imageresizer.codeplex.comimageresizer.codeplex.com//

into your web browser. into your web browser.

Download and Run the application (small Download and Run the application (small

file size)file size)

Note: a version for those using the 64Note: a version for those using the 64--

bit operating system is also available; if bit operating system is also available; if

you donyou don’’t know your system type, it is t know your system type, it is

most likely the default (32most likely the default (32--bit) version bit) version



Sizing for PC Users Only Sizing for PC Users Only

(continued):(continued):

To Resize an image, highlight To Resize an image, highlight

it with one mouse click (no need it with one mouse click (no need

to open it)to open it)

Right click onceRight click once

Among the choices will be Among the choices will be

‘‘Resize PicturesResize Pictures’’



Sizing for PC Users Only Sizing for PC Users Only

(continued):(continued):

Choose Choose ‘‘LargeLarge’’ (1024x768)(1024x768)

A reduced size copy of your A reduced size copy of your

image will be added to the same image will be added to the same

folder as the original with the folder as the original with the

word (large) added to the titleword (large) added to the title

Note: Vista and 7 users will see more options.

Note: Vista and 7 users will see more options.

‘

‘

Large

Large

’

’

is almost always still your best choice.

is almost always still your best choice.

(NEVER choose

(NEVER choose

‘

‘

resize my original

resize my original

’

’

!)

!)

Final Thoughts on Projection Final Thoughts on Projection


Judges are now scoring Judges are now scoring

your images on their own your images on their own

computers prior to the computers prior to the

competition nightcompetition night

Landscape format fills the Landscape format fills the

screen, but plenty of screen, but plenty of

Portrait style images winPortrait style images win

Competition Night

Competition Night

(Print Competitions

(Print Competitions

Only)

Only)

Competition NightCompetition Night

Arrive EARLYArrive EARLY

We arrive by 7:00, usually We arrive by 7:00, usually

earlierearlier

ABSOLUTE deadline to enter ABSOLUTE deadline to enter

is 7:30is 7:30

Arrive with your print ready Arrive with your print ready

to goto go

Competition NightCompetition Night

If you need a label, they will If you need a label, they will

be available on the be available on the

Preparation tablePreparation table

Sequence:Sequence:

PrepPrep

Review by ChairReview by Chair

SubmitSubmit

Judging

Judging

JudgingJudging

3 outside judges for 3 outside judges for

objectivityobjectivity

Scores: 5 to 9 points per Scores: 5 to 9 points per

judgejudge

Best possible score = 27Best possible score = 27

JudgingJudging

3 criteria (up to 3 points 3 criteria (up to 3 points

each per judge):each per judge):

TechniqueTechnique

CompositionComposition

ImpactImpact

Things Judges Look For:Things Judges Look For:

Straight horizonsStraight horizons

‘‘RuleRule’’ of thirdsof thirds

Leading linesLeading lines

No distractionsNo distractions

Be mindful of areas that are Be mindful of areas that are

lighter than your subject that lighter than your subject that

draw the eyedraw the eye

JudgingJudging

Judges can be WRONG!Judges can be WRONG!

Remember that they have Remember that they have

seconds to review your image seconds to review your image

and must come up with and must come up with

something to say something to say –– its not easy!its not easy!

Take judgesTake judges’’ comments comments

constructively but NOT as constructively but NOT as

gospelgospel

ScoringScoring

There is no set score to winThere is no set score to win

Highest score of the Highest score of the

evening is first, next highest evening is first, next highest

is second, etc.is second, etc.

Ties are NOT brokenTies are NOT broken

Winners go to the right side Winners go to the right side

of the wallof the wall

ScoringScoring

30% of images entered can 30% of images entered can

win (30 images = 9 winners)win (30 images = 9 winners)

Depending on scoring and Depending on scoring and

number of images entered, number of images entered,

all places may not always be all places may not always be

awardedawarded

ScoringScoring

On nights with lots of entries, On nights with lots of entries,

multiple scores may be awarded multiple scores may be awarded

Honorable MentionHonorable Mention

Any image that doesnAny image that doesn’’t win can t win can

be entered ONE MORE TIME in be entered ONE MORE TIME in

any applicable classification any applicable classification

(doesn(doesn’’t have to be the same as t have to be the same as

the original classification)the original classification)

Accumulated PointsAccumulated Points

Points are awarded by Place:Points are awarded by Place:

11

stst

= 5 points= 5 points

22

ndnd


33

rdrd


Honorable Mention = 2 pointsHonorable Mention = 2 points

Accumulated PointsAccumulated Points

Points are tracked and updated Points are tracked and updated

standings are posted on the webstandings are posted on the web

At yearAt year--end, 1end, 1

stst

place receives a place receives a

medal, 2medal, 2

ndnd

and 3and 3

rdrd

receive ribbonsreceive ribbons

Ties are not brokenTies are not broken

All the more reason to attend the All the more reason to attend the

Awards Banquet! Awards Banquet!

EndEnd--ofof--Year CompetitionYear Competition

Any image entered in Any image entered in

regular competition can be regular competition can be

entered in that yearentered in that year’’s Years Year--

End CompetitionEnd Competition

It DID NOT have to win It DID NOT have to win

(repeat (repeat –– DID NOT have to DID NOT have to

win)win)


Up to three images per Up to three images per

category can be entered in category can be entered in

YearYear--EndEnd

Use the same label and Use the same label and

image name image name –– no changesno changes


Images MUST be entered in Images MUST be entered in

the same category as originally the same category as originally

enteredentered

If a nonIf a non--winning image was winning image was

entered again in a different entered again in a different

classification, it may be classification, it may be

entered in either classification entered in either classification

for yearfor year--end but not a new oneend but not a new one


3 judges are used for year3 judges are used for year--

endend

Competition is closedCompetition is closed

No judgesNo judges’’ commentscomments

Ties are brokenTies are broken


Winners are announced at Winners are announced at

the Awards Banquet the Awards Banquet

(another reason to attend!)(another reason to attend!)

There are ALWAYS There are ALWAYS

surprises surprises –– dondon’’t hesitate to t hesitate to

enter a photo YOU likeenter a photo YOU like

EndEnd--ofof--Year Competition Year Competition

WinnersWinners

In each Category and In each Category and

Classification, one image is Classification, one image is

designated Photo of the designated Photo of the

Year and will hang on the Year and will hang on the

clubroom wall for the entire clubroom wall for the entire

club yearclub year


WinnersWinners

Places are also awarded for Places are also awarded for

First, Second and Third place First, Second and Third place

in each category and in each category and

classificationclassification

Winning photos are displayed Winning photos are displayed

at the Banquet and winners are at the Banquet and winners are

presented ribbonspresented ribbons


WinnersWinners

In addition, six Special In addition, six Special

Awards are presented in honor Awards are presented in honor

of individuals who have been of individuals who have been

important in CPS historyimportant in CPS history

These winning images are These winning images are

also displayed on the wall for also displayed on the wall for

the entire yearthe entire year


WinnersWinners

Special Awards are in Special Awards are in

specific categories specific categories –– read read

the plaque in the club room the plaque in the club room

to learn about themto learn about them


WinnersWinners

Nothing is necessary on your Nothing is necessary on your

part to become eligible for a part to become eligible for a

Special Award except the Ruth Special Award except the Ruth

Morrison Award:Morrison Award:

Write Write ‘‘AuthenticAuthentic’’ on your on your

entry label for consideration entry label for consideration

(see the Nature Rules for (see the Nature Rules for

details) details)


NEW for 2011NEW for 2011--1212

In addition to our regular In addition to our regular

awards, weawards, we’’re adding a new re adding a new

YearYear--End category in End category in

Photojournalism!Photojournalism!

HereHere’’s how it works:s how it works:


PhotojournalismPhotojournalism

Enter your image at any Enter your image at any

Photojournalism night during the Photojournalism night during the

club year (these nights will remain club year (these nights will remain

casual and uncasual and un--judged)judged)

Be sure to log your image on that Be sure to log your image on that

eveningevening’’s signs sign--in sheetin sheet

Submit up to three qualifying Submit up to three qualifying

images along with your other images along with your other

pictures at Yearpictures at Year--EndEnd


PhotojournalismPhotojournalism

Images will be judged and Images will be judged and

winners selected for Third, Second winners selected for Third, Second

and First Place ribbonsand First Place ribbons

One image will be designated as One image will be designated as

the Photojournalism Photo of the the Photojournalism Photo of the

Year and hang in the Gathering Year and hang in the Gathering

Room with other YearRoom with other Year--End End

winners!winners!

You are now a seasoned

You are now a seasoned

competitor!

competitor!

Enter often and take

Enter often and take

advantage of this wonderful

advantage of this wonderful

learning experience

learning experience

QUESTIONS???

QUESTIONS???

Thank You!!!!

Thank You!!!!

cleveland photographic society · final thoughts on presentation ... ties aties arre brokene...

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