by successfulbob | imaging competition, photography - art quote, photography competition, photography education
Thanks to Karl Mullings, a photographer in Flagstaff, Arizona, for this reminder of a quote from one of his and my mentors, Donald Jack.
It came up in a forum post about how a photographer wouldn’t participate in Imaging Competition run by Professional Photographers of America. This almost 30 year photographer claims that their reward comes from hugs and referrals to other clients and there is no need to receive any other acclaim.
I now take you to the quote from Donald…
“If you have nothing to compare something to, then what you have in front of you is the very best that it can be.” ~Donald Jack
I applaud every photographer in their efforts to become better in whatever way they can. I suggest that using the PPA system of Competition accelerates that growth. When a photographer competes against themselves and push themselves through PPA’s competition system with peers they see an incredible leap in the depth and dimension of their imagery…. I’ve seen it time and time again.
Why does that matter? “Clients are happy with the photographs I supply them.”
Better photography. It translates to more and larger sales and being able to raise prices along with opportunities to create press releases and social marketing pieces that give more credence to someone looking to choose a photographer, not to mention staying front of mind in your community.
What are you waiting for? Give it a shot and see how fast your image making skills grow.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | imaging competition, photography, photography competition, photography education
I believe I am the photographer I am today because of imaging competition.
It has pushed me to make better photos.
It has pushed me to increase my skills.
It has given me material to be visible in my community because of success and awards and degrees that turned into press releases.
Most of all… it has given me confidence!
I highly recommend getting into imaging competition if you are not already there. You can watch how it works and learn what the judges are looking for by watching the live streaming coming your way in early August. In addition watch for Booray Perry, Cr.Photog., CPP for a peek behind the scenes and interviews. The streaming is available for members of Professional Photographers of America (PPA) as one of many benefits…
Stream.the IPC.org
The rest of the details are available on the PPA web site. Dates, times, instructions, etc… here.
I’ll be one of the jurors and look forward to seeing all of the images members have put forth this year for feedback. Remember this ‘competition’ is with yourself. Images are judged against a standard (see the Twelve Elements below) and not against each other… Until it’s time for the Grand Imaging Awards and the International Photo Cup.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
The Twelve Elements
1.) Impact is the sense one gets upon viewing an image for the first time. Compelling images evoke laughter, sadness, anger, pride, wonder or another intense emotion. There can be impact in any of these twelve elements.
2.) Technical excellence is the print quality of the image itself as it is presented for viewing. Retouching, manipulation, sharpness, exposure, printing, mounting, and correct color are some items that speak to the qualities of the physical print.
3.) Creativity is the original, fresh, and external expression of the imagination of the maker by using the medium to convey an idea, message or thought.
4.) Style is defined in a number of ways as it applies to a creative image. It might be defined by a specific genre or simply be recognizable as the characteristics of how a specific artist applies light to a subject. It can impact an image in a positive manner when the subject matter and the style are appropriate for each other, or it can have a negative effect when they are at odds.
5.) Composition is important to the design of an image, bringing all of the visual elements together in concert to express the purpose of the image. Proper composition holds the viewer in the image and prompts the viewer to look where the creator intends. Effective composition can be pleasing or disturbing, depending on the intent of the image maker.
6.) Presentation affects an image by giving it a finished look. The mats and borders used, either physical or digital, should support and enhance the image, not distract from it.
7.) Color Balance supplies harmony to an image. An image in which the tones work together, effectively supporting the image, can enhance its emotional appeal. Color balance is not always harmonious and can be used to evoke diverse feelings for effect.
8.) Center of Interest is the point or points on the image where the maker wants the viewer to stop as they view the image. There can be primary and secondary centers of interest. Occasionally there will be no specific center of interest, when the entire scene collectively serves as the center of interest.
9.) Lighting —the use and control of light—refers to how dimension, shape and roundness are defined in an image. Whether the light applied to an image is man-made or natural, proper use of it should enhance an image.
10.) Subject Matter should always be appropriate to the story being told in an image.
11.) Technique is the approach used to create the image. Printing, lighting, posing, capture, presentation media, and more are part of the technique applied to an image.
12.) Story Telling refers to the image’s ability to evoke imagination. One beautiful thing about art is that each viewer might collect his own message or read her own story in an image.
by successfulbob | architectural photography, imaging competition, photography competition, photography education
Coming soon!
If you are a PPA member you’ll be able to stream the International Photographic Competition (IPC).
Even if you don’t have images in the competition there’s a wealth of information and ideas that get shared during challenges.
A challenge is put forward whenever one of the jurors doesn’t agree with the result of an image being accepted as a Merit or non Merit. The challenger states his/her reasons. The other jurors respond with their thoughts and the challenger has an opportunity to rebut then the image is scored again. Sometimes it seems as if the judging is moving quickly. But, please remember there are 7 sets of eyes, 6 jurors and the Jury Chair, and any one of those may challenge the result. Sometimes if an image goes by and a juror feels it was missed the image can be called back for further review. We are all charged with doing the absolute best for our makers while still protecting the value of the Merit which is the basis for earning the imaging degrees of Master of Photography and Master Artist.
By the way PPA members are invited and encourages to watch the process live. The event is held just outside Atlanta.
The address for streaming the event is http://stream.theipc.org
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Competition Judging Live Stream
- Monday, Aug. 3, 8: 15am-6pm
- Tuesday, Aug. 4, 12:15-9pm
- Wednesday, Aug. 5, 9:15am-6pm
- Thursday, Aug. 6, 8:15am-6pm
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IPC Live with Booray Perry
- 11am & 2pm
- 2pm & 6pm
- 11am & 2pm
- 11am & 2pm
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Here’s one of my images that was accepted into PPA’s Loan Collection last year. Here’s a link to all eight images that either were awarded a Merit or Loan Collection status.
by successfulbob | imaging competition, photography, photography education, podcast
2014 was a very fine year in my Imaging Competition history. A Silver Photographer of the Year Award in my Photographic Open case entries and a Diamond Photographer of the Year Award for my Master Artist imaging entries.
As I’m doing a podcast for the 12 Elements with Mark Oehler today talking about last years entries and competition in general I thought I’d post the images so anyone listening to the post could view what we are talking about.
Being a member of PPA and participating in Imaging Competition through PPA is one of the fastest ways to improve your photography. I firmly believe without the International Photographic competition I wouldn’t half the photographer I am today. You can check here for the entry information for the 2015 year.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS What’s holding you back? You don’t get into competition to win awards. You get in to learn the craft. Awards come after. If you are waiting until, “My images are good enough.” Then you’ll be waiting a long time…
PPS The awards will come…
by successfulbob | imaging competition, photography, photography competition
Wanna make better images?
I do.
Always.
Which is why I continue to participate in the Imaging Competition through Professional Photographers of America (PPA) after 16 years.
Probably the word Competition should be removed as it implies that you are competing against others as at a sporting event. Not so. You are competing against a standard and your personal past performance. This is an incredible learning opportunity
Entries are open for the International Photographic Competition (IPC).
You can get more details and see a slide show of the 2014 PPA Loan Collection here
If you are a PPA member and not participating in Photographic Competition I believe you are missing out on one of the best benefits of your membership. The feedback you get from putting your images in front of trained fellow photographers is very important. I would have to say that Imaging Competition has been one of the driving forces in making me a better photographer, growing my skills exponentially.
Take advantage of this opportunity. If you get the chance PPA members can view the judging live in Lawrenceville, just outside Atlanta, GA. Another option is to view the judging via the Live Streaming. If you have images in the competition don’t forget to order the critiques for your images. You get a video review with one juror giving you feedback on what was good about your image but even more important how it might be improved.
So get your images together and compete with yourself to be the best photographer and image maker you can be.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | imaging competition, photography, photography education
Imaging Competition… and becoming a better photographer.
“The judges were really hard this year!” “They weren’t there so they can’t see how hard I had to work to get that photo!” “My client loved that image and paid a lot of money, what do those judges know?”
I hear this call from almost every group during and just after the competition. (as a matter of fact, I remember saying these exact same words to myself when I first started competing) It echoes. And repeats as photographers who have not done so well in the scoring commiserate with each other. Until… Those photographers who want to grow speak to the judges one-on-one following the judging to get feedback on why their image did, or didn’t, do so well.
I was in Richmond, Virgina this past weekend working with photographers who are trying to up their game… And, it was a wonderful experience. These photographers heeded the call to improve their work through having peers examine and rate their imaging skills. They followed up and after hearing the comments on what could be improved and what the judges saw in the photo, as presented, the lights started going on with smiles as they realized how they could become better image makers.When giving critiques it’s great to see a makers eyes light up as they find out what the judges felt they did right in the image, and even more important, what they could to improve their photography. Whether it be improving lighting skills, composition, subject matter, color harmony, story-telling, technical excellence, image presentation and more.
If you are looking for some information on how to do better and what judges are looking for you can find more resources on the PPA web site. Pay particular attention to the ’12 Elements of a Merit Image’.
Which brings me to today’s Photo/Art quote…
“I am in no competition with anyone else, I am in competition with my Yester Self, and I am winning.” Anonymous
While it’s great to win awards it’s even greater to realize that they have already won just by being in the game of improvement through participation. It’s never comfortable hearing that your image is not the best in the world.
I can’t wait to see what these photographers will create in the coming years because they cared enough to put their work out there for the world to see in imaging competition.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – FYI. I’ve been entering competition since 1999 at State, District and PPA International. I still do. Why? Because I want to continue to push my imaging skill to a higher level. And, every time my image spins so does my stomach. When that stops happening I’ll probably retire cause it will mean that I no longer wish to improve.
