Judging Criteria

Judges will focus on three areas when judging photographs: Technical Quality, Composition, and Overall Impact.  The following rules are open for interpretation by judges and serve as a guide for the judging process:

 

 

• Technical Quality:

 

1. Focus:  Focus should be sharp and on the center of interest unless the use of intentional soft focus is employed.
2. Lens Flare: There are times when lens flare adds to a photo, though most often it detracts from the image.  Lens flare should not be present unless it adds to the quality of the photograph as an element unto itself.
3. Exposure: Submissions should be properly exposed unless under/over exposure is intentionally employed to create a more creative or effective photograph.
4. Color Casts: Unless they are used for creative purposes, there should be no odd color casts.

 

• Composition

 

1. Vertical / Horizontal Alignment: Alignment should be correct on either the horizontal or vertical plane, unless used intentionally by the photographer
2. Element Arrangement: Elements used in the image are used effectively and balanced, unless deliberately unbalanced by the photographer create a certain mood.
3. Point of Interest: The photograph has a strong subject, pattern, or overarching design that creates interest and attracts attention.
4. Free of Distracting Elements: The photograph is free of elements that distract / confuse the viewer and reduce the effectiveness of the main subject.

 

• Overall Impact

 

1. Attention Getting: The viewer is attracted or compelled by the elements of the photograph as presented in the image.  On the converse, the viewer is repulsed, but compelled to view the image.
2. Provokes Strong Emotion: The viewer has an emotional reaction to the image (love, wonder, hate, disgust, revulsion, amazement, etc.)
3. Innovation:  Subjects, familiar or otherwise, are effectively portrayed in a new or unusual way.