Guide to Photo Judging

The purpose of the clinic is to provide instruction through constructive critical comment and evaluation. Remember, it is not a competition, although proficiency is rewarded.

Judges comment using 3 categories:
1. Pictorial or Artistic Merit (IMPACT)
2. Technical Skill
3. Interpretation of Subject

1. Pictorial or Artistic Merit (IMPACT)

This is a measure of the SUCCESS of the COMPOSITION.

Factors include the “RULES OF COMPOSITION” :
• Rule of Thirds
• Balance
• Lighting
• Framing
• Tonal Range & Texture
• Pattern & Rhythm
• Lead-in Lines

2. Technical

Here you measure the skills of:
• Exposure
• Depth of Field
• Focus
• Shutter Speed
• Filters
• Panning
• Mounting, spotting (prints)

3. Interpretation

Here you evaluate how well the photographer interpreted the topic photographically.

CONSIDER:

• Is the subject matter appropriate?
• Has it been chosen carefully?
• Has it been captured in an interesting way?

VISUAL COMMUNICATION is important:

• Does the subject communicate itself clearly without distraction?

Note: a TITLE may or may not assist in this process. It is only one factor to be considered.
(some titles are merely labels, and are therefore neutral).

Awarding Points

- A 30 point system of judging will be used

- Each of the 3 judges will award up to 10 points in each of the following categories:
1) pictorial or artistic merit (impact),
2) technical skill, and
3) interpretation of the topic.


- All points are totaled and divided by 3, giving a maximum of 30.
- 22 points or higher is an Honorable Mention.

- Prints of the Month are the ones that receive the highest score of more than 22 points
- Judges will vote to break ties
- If the scores are less than 22, Print or Digital Image of the Evening will be selected.
- Prints of the Month and Evening will qualify for the Prints of the Year competition.

- Digital Images of the Month and Evening will qualify for the Digital Images of the Year competitions in each category.

- Prints of the Month will be duplicated for the club archives.

Image Evaluation

10. Outstanding, flawless
9. Dramatic, beautiful, strong impact
8. Excellent, minor flaws only, photographic mastery
7. Very good, just short of excellent
6. Competent, technically OK, lacking impact
5. Average, unmemorable, lots of room for improvement
4. Below standard, one or more specific faults
3. Many faults, badly composed
2. Unacceptable, slide or print should not have been entered.