I’ve seen this quote attributed to Tom although I’m certain it belongs to him as there are variations in place attributed to others. I try to research my quotes for accuracy. With that in mind if you know who the originator of this quote was, please let me know.
“I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” – Thomas Jefferson
You might ask, “What in the heck does this have to do with art, Bob?”
It all has to do with getting in there and doing the work. Whether you feel like doing it or not. Many times I will happen into a fortunate art situation just because I keep on trying even though things have not worked out crazy good in the past. If you see a concept, you need to keep acting on it until it comes to fruition.
Here’s an example. I love photographing wildlife, especially birds. I enjoy the texture of their wings. Studying and anticipating their movements to capture more compelling images. The time alone searching out new behaviors. It can be very frustrating to try to come up with something original. That doesn’t stop me from going out and trying. Over and over. And over. Until that magic moment when the luck part comes into play. Because I was still there trying I was treated to this perfect moment of a Snowy Egret chasing fish.
I captured approximately 200 images of the bird working the shallows in front of me. And this is the composite I thought I wanted to accomplish.
Working composite of Dance of the Snowy Egret
I had sifted through and extracted many images of the snowy egret to get this far but wasn’t happy with what was happening. It was the vision I originally had in my head while I was photographing the bird, but it just wasn’t working form, although my wife loved it. So I kept working.
So I kept working. And working.
And because I kept working on it even though I wasn’t happy I had another stroke of luck. In turning off the background to clean up my extractions of the birds, I saw the image in it’s simplest form. All attention became focused on the positions of the birds with absolutely no distractions.
PPA Loan Collection Image – Dance of the Snowy Egret by yours truly
I entered the image in the International Photographic Competition from Professional Photographers of America, and it was judged into the Loan Collection in the Master Artist category. That judging is based on twelve elements (click here for more on the twelve) including composition, technical excellence, and storytelling. Also, how the artwork was accomplished is a significant part of the criteria which is why the reference images are shown.
I feel I was lucky on two fronts in the creation of this photo. But I did work hard to get ultimately get there
But I did work hard to get ultimately get there.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – I think one additional piece of luck was the equipment I’ve been using. Because the micro 4/3rds format is so small and light I was able to handhold a 600mm equivalent lens and track the egret comfortably for a long period of time. Heavier gear would have required a tripod and been much less mobile. Lumix GX8 with the 100-300mm f4.0-5.6 lens
Tuesday Painterly Photo Art
Nylora-Joy Bruleigh M.Photog., M. Artist, Cr., CPP
I met Nylora when I was speaking and judging at a convention. I was impressed with the animal/people composite work she was creating. After Nylora earned both her Master of Photography and Craftsman Degrees in 2012, she decided it was time to step up her game and take the plunge into entering the Master Artist Category through Professional Photographers of America International Photographic Competition. She shares, “I had no idea these would become my favorite type of images to create! I quickly determined after creating my first image that I had to make a series. By doing this, not only did it give me a place to start but it helped me move from one image to another. The series I began with is titled Once Upon a Time and is all inspired from fairytales.”
“I am lucky to have young women that are willing to model for me whenever I need them too. I connected with a local modeling agency early on in this adventure. I can contact them with the look I need, and they send me options, and we go from there! When I decide on a new image, I pull all my ideas together and start piecing the parts together. For this picture, I found this mirror at a yard sale for a couple of dollars, had the costume from an after Halloween sale and had the table in my stash. The model was someone I had photographed before, and the man in the mirror is my husband taken with a flashlight in the bathroom! I also work with a local makeup artist.
“Most of the time, I have a good idea of what the finished image will look like before I even start, sometimes that is how the final image looks, and sometimes I make some changes along the way. The trick is to keep an open mind and be willing to go with the flow of what the process tells you to do.”
Here are a couple of others from her fairy tales series.
“Another series that I have been working on is my Animal Series. This was inspired by my daughter who loves animals. I found a young lady that was happy to do it. I have spent some time at the zoo photographing all the animals knowing that I would be using them for this next series posed with young ladies to tell a story. All of the animals are shot first in their environment, and then I look through and decide what look I want and what the story will be. Then I photograph the women in the studio to fit with the animal so that I can get the pose and light for the subjects to match and then add the background.”
“I would encourage you to push yourself and try something new with your photography every chance you get! Not only will it keep you from getting in a rut with your work and keep things fresh but it will continue to inspire you and create new idea! It may just change the course you are on!”
Nylora-Joy Bruleigh’s Biography
Nylora Bruleigh has been specializing in women’s portraiture. In 2009 Bruleigh decided she needed a more creative outlet and started focusing on a more fine art feel to her portraits.
Bruleigh travels New England teaching seminars about creating fine art portraiture and training others to look inside themselves to set up their thought provoking pieces. In 2012 she received both her Master Photographer and Photographic Craftsman Degrees. In 2015 Bruleigh received her Master Artist Degree through PPA and is proudly the only one in her state of NH to hold that degree. She has many international awards for her fine art and portrait work most including 2 top 10 awards for the GIA, the Kodak Gallery Elite and most recently received the Canon Par Excellence Award in the Master Artist Category Northeast Districts.
You can see more of Bruleigh’s work in her book titled “Fine Art Portrait Photography” published by Amherst Media.
Due to a change in this year’s judging procedure, I can share my Loan Collection images from the International Photographic Competition (IPC) put on by Professional Photographers of America (PPA). The PPA Loan Collection is judged after a picture has earned a Merit, which is defined as an above average image by an above average photographer. Loan Collection images are considered among the ‘Best of the Best.’
And here we go. I’ll comment under each image for what I was trying to accomplish.
“Going Up” – A study in perspective. Trying to make an everyday object into an art piece. I do this in practice for my commercial and architectural clients.
“Dance of the Snowy Egret” – This was me on vacation. I was studying this snowy egret tracking down its meals in the marsh. I noticed some patterns as I watched its behavior. This image began to form in my head. The Master Artist category is judged on the final output. Also, the difficulty and expertise in applying the techniques is a major part of whether an image is accepted.
“Shape Form Tone” – Made in Atlanta while I was a PPA headquarters for a meeting. We were on break, and I had brought a camera with me and saw this view out the window. Again, working on perfecting my craft by creating depth and dimension in my work.
“Iris” – This was a design I created for a silk scarf. (my clothing designs are available at SHOP VIDA) Depth and dimension are critical to adding life to a two-dimensional surface. Shadows are essential in making that happen.
There you have it. My photographic and design work in the 2016 PPA Loan Collection as judged by Professional Photographers of America.
Like many photographers around the country, I have been watching the judging of the International Photographic Competition hosted by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).
‘Hiding’ – General Collection Artist Category – This image of model and mask, performer, and artist Pash Gabalvy of Sedona was an effort to create a painterly feel to this capture. May have processed this one a bit too dark.
I submitted eight images. Four in the Photographic Open and four in the Artist category. Of the eight images presented, Three images were not accepted. One was accepted into the General Collection earning a Merit. Four were deemed to be ‘best of the best’ and accepted into the prestigious Loan Collection.
I can share the ‘less successful’ images that Merited or were not accepted, but not the Loan Collection images as there will be additional judging of those images for the Grand Imaging Awards which will be announced at the Imaging USA convention in San Antonio, TX in January.
‘Eagle’ – Was not accepted. The Artist Category is judged based on the final image but also the difficulty and execution of the artwork itself. I will rework this image and try again.
Notice I did not say, ‘unsuccessful’ I said, ‘less than successful.’ We always want our images to score well, but I believe I learn just as much, if not more, from those that don’t. Why? I have been experimenting with lots of new capture techniques, new painting techniques in creating art from my images and different ways of processing photos. I get feedback on why the treatments and processing didn’t work, and I can grow my skills with that information.
‘Nightwatch’ – Another Artist submission that fell short in the judge’s opinions. This was challenged, so I received feedback on what the judges found lacking. “No specular highlights on the beak. Some leaves the were a distraction behind the owl’s head. Not enough shape and form on the owl’s body.” I agree with all contentions and will be reworking this image again.
‘Secret Canyon’ – Not accepted n the Photographic Open Category
I did not receive feedback on this image yet. My guess is that it might be a little too artistic for the subject. Many pictures of slot canyons have been entered over the years.
That’s my story so far. I’ll follow up with the Loan Collection images after the GIA’s have been selected.
“Bob, your images show your expertise and I absolutely agree with all you say. I will add one thought. The images you show in your article are for the Artist category. My thought is those entering for the first time might mostly be in the Photographic category. So maybe you can add some of your beginning ones that merited rather than your most recent advanced ones for perspective.
Some of my own frustration does lie in that critiques in the Photographic category often talk about changing backgrounds, etc. To me that should be in the Artistic competition since that is not “photographic”, but I understand there is not a way to monitor this, so anything goes in Photographic pretty much.
I think it is important to explain to entrants that even if your image scores a 74 let’s say, this is based on a professional standard and is “average among your peers” so it is not “average for anyone with a camera.” So there should not be fear to enter because you might not be good enough. My thought is this, if I thought I was not good enough, I certainly would want to know that and learn. I would not be charging clients money for my work if even I thought I was not good enough. On another note even a score below competition standard of 65 might be a sellable client image in some instances, it just misses too many marks of the 12 elements for merit.”
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Joanne Fabian
Photographer/Owner
J Gray Fabian Photography
Souderton PA
Excellent thoughts from Joanne. I will pass on the idea about critiques and backgrounds to other PPA Jurors in the Photographic Open category. We are always trying to improve the experience of judging and providing feedback to members. (I am a PPA Approved Juror)
The images that I shared in the original post were ones that I had quick access to and wanted to illustrate the post. I took some time to dig back in through some older files for examples in the Photographic Open category that merited and some that made it to the Loan Collection and below a video of many of my entries over the years.
‘Randy’ – General Merit & Showcase Book 2006
‘Enduring Comfort’ – General Merit 2009
‘Variations on a Theme’ – Loan Collection 2006
‘135 Painted Cliffs’ – Loan Collection 2007
‘Tango Toes’ – General Merit 2007
I tend toward more of a commercial and fine art imagery in my business so these may be a little more ‘arty’ than other people’s entries. I’ll share a video showing most of my submissions from 2005 through 2015. Not all images made it to the merit category, but it will give you a good idea of my body of work over the years.
Bob Coates Photography IPC entries 2005-2015 (3:14)
Again I highly encourage everyone interested in improving their photography in an accelerated manner to participate in International Photographic Competition. Even if you did not enter this year spend some time streaming the IPC starting on Sunday, July 31 and continuing thru Wednesday, August 4th.
Questions, comments and other points of view always welcome.
Professional Photographers of America (PPA) has an incredible member benefit known as International Photographic Competition. I feel that this one benefit has been worth the price of PPA admission and has helped me develop the photography skills I have today.
Sandhill Cranes – Artist entry from last year – General Collection Merit Image
I do believe there can be a misconception of what this is all about because of the name. The word competition can scare off a lot of folks. It gives them the opportunity to give excuses. “My work is not ready to compete.” “I don’t need to compete and win awards to validate my skills.” “I’ll never win.” And other similar thought patterns that keep them out of the game. I can tell you when I first started my work was, how you say, less than stellar.
YOU DO NOT GET INTO PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION TO WIN AWARDS! Notice that the caps lock was on for that last sentence because it’s supposed to sound like I am shouting. Yes, awards can be a sterling byproduct of imaging competition, but that’s not why you compete. YOU COMPETE TO BECOME A BETTER PHOTOGRAPHER! I see every photographer that gets into image improve their work in a relatively short period. Those that put it off tend to stagnate and their progress is much slower.
Keeping Watch – Artist entry from last year – General Collection Merit Image
The act of choosing your images. Working on them to remove every possible flaw you can find and putting them before a jury of fellow photographers for feedback is an incredible education. I can’t tell you the number of times I put my best work out there for comment in this process and… Well, let’s say I was less than pleased with the result. Occasionally I would even think to myself, “What the heck do those judges know? They weren’t there and didn’t know what I had to go through to create that image! My client loved it!” After a time away fro the sting of not getting the result I was hoping for wore off I reviewed the judges comments with a calmer frame of mind. And I’ll be darned! They were right. It could have been better had I taken into account the post processing, composition or capture suggestions when producing the image.
Sarasota Magazine Designs – Artist entry from last year – Loan Collection Merit Image
And that’s what imaging competition is all about, competing with yourself to become better. Each year you try to do better than the previous one. Eventually, the awards start to come, and that’s great. But, even after I attained enough merits for my Master of Photography Degree and Master Artist Degree and Imaging Excellence Award I still compete. Why? Because I am still trying to be better than, I was the previous year. Imaging competition keeps me sharp. It eeps me pushing the envelope to learn new techniques and perfect my craft. In short, it makes me a better photographer.
You can Stream the IPC and tune into the learning. You don’t need to be a member of PPA
Wanna be a better photographer? Get in the game! Don’t wait “until you are ready.” If you wait until then, you’ll never be ready. If you aren’t already in you can get an idea of what the judges are looking for in the images by watching the competition online. If you already are in you know that the International Photographic Competition judging process is coming up this Sunday, July 31 thru Thursday, August 4 and will be streamed live. Tune in when you can. There’s an education to be had by being exposed to imagery. More education as you hear the judges speak to the challenges of why they believe an image deserves to be awarded a Merit, or not.
Also returning this year will be the IPC Live broadcast hosted by renowned Florida wedding photographer and co-host of The Photobomb Podcast, Booray Perry, Cr.Photog., CPP. Each day at 10:15 am and 2:15 pm EST, IPC Live will feature live critiques, interviews with the judges, and live Q&A sessions.
If you have any questions about the process, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. Happy to help you.
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“I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” – Thomas Jefferson
Working composite of Dance of the Snowy Egret
