Photography

Description:

The process, art and technique of capturing images with an analog or digital camera.

Overview:
Dive into the captivating world of photography and let your artistic vision shine through your original work. Celebrate the diverse techniques and mediums of this timeless art form—whether it’s black-and-white or color photography, digital or analog photographs, photograms, or other experimental styles.

Notes for Judges ● Each contestant will have 3 minutes to present their project and then the judging co-hort will have 5 minutes for any follow up questions and quick deliberations before the next contestant. Each contestant will only have an allocated time frame of 10 minutes. ● You should not under any circumstances engage with the students before or after the competition until the Awards Ceremony has concluded. ● You must provide honest constructive feedback for each contestant that you are judging. ● Scoring Rubric: ○ 95-100 - Qualifies as a Gold Medalist ○ 90+Up - Qualifies as a Silver Medalist ○ 85+Up - Qualifies as a Bronze Medalist ■ Please take heed that the identifying word here is “Qualifies”. There can be multiple contestants that can qualify as gold medalist and if that’s the case the highest score will receive the gold, and silver and bronze will be allocated to the next two highest scores. ■ In the event the highest score is a 90 then there is no gold medalist and there’s only a possibility for a silver and bronze medalist as long as the remaining scores land within the 85+Up region.

Requirements:

1. Submission Limit: No more than six individual photographs or one collage.

2. Image Size: Photographs and/or mounting boards must not exceed 20x16 inches and be mounted on white, black or gray boards.

3. Oral presentation: A mandatory 3-minute presentation explaining your creative process, techniques and artistic intent.

4. Display: tables and/or easels will be provided at the local competition. National competition installation guidelines are provided separately.

5. Originality: All submitted work must be your original creation. Digital editing is permitted for minor adjustments and image correction, simulating traditional darkroom techniques. Composite images and photomontages are all allowed, but each element must be your original photograph.

6. Contestant Introduction: State your introduction in full, per the Contestant Introduction Script, before beginning your oral presentation.

7. Statement of Integrity: Submit a completed Statement of Integrity Form with your application

Required Submissions
• Bio (PDF) → First_Last_Bio
• Contestant Photo (PDF) → First_Last_CP
• Statement of Integrity (PDF) → First_Last_SOI
• Reference Photo (PDF) → First_Last_RP

When uploading your documents, you must name each file exactly as shown above in order for it to be properly uploaded and integrated into our automated system.

Example: John_Doe_WP (using your own first and last name, followed by the file label shown for your category).

Note: If files are not received in these formats, they are out of compliance and ineligible until
rectified. If they are not corrected before the deadline, the contestant will no longer be able to
compete at this year's iteration of the National Competition

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

25 Points: Technical Merit

Focus
Color Quality

15 Points: Cleanness

20 Points: Composition

25 Points: Effective use of light

15 Points: Viewer involvement

100 Total Points

Point Deduction -0.25 per 15 sec
For every 15 seconds the presentation exceeds the allotted time limit (3 minutes), 0.25 point is deducted.

Tips for Photography Contestants

1. Tell a Story: Your photographs should convey a message or evoke a feeling. Consider the composition, lighting, and subject matter to create a powerful visual narrative.

2. Experiment with Techniques: Don't be afraid to try new things! Experiment with different camera angles, lighting techniques, and post-processing effects to add depth and dimension to your work.

3. Practice Your Presentation: Your oral presentation is a crucial part of the competition. Practice your speech beforehand, and be prepared to answer questions about your creative process and artistic choices.