Photography

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.

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

• Technical Merit (25)

Focus

Color Quality

• Cleanness (15)

• Composition (20 pts)

• Effective use of light (25 pts)

• Viewer involvement (15 pts)

Point Deduction

-1 to -5 In the event the student presentation exceeds 3 mins you can deduct one point for every minute over up to five points.

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.