Why don't my competition entries score better?

A good question!!

Due to some posts on the forum and some recent experiences judging at camera clubs I thought I'd start a conversation on the subject and put forward my view and open a debate.

The #1 thing is IMPACT !!
If your image does not connect with the viewer then it wont score as well as one that does.
This is very subjective! So don't get disheartened.

Eg. I scored an image lower 8/10 at a club last week then someone else who felt it was the best image of the night.
I just not feel a connection with it, although it had good technical elements.
There were about 150 images presented from beginners to very advanced/pro 'togs.
So there was lots of opportunity to get it wrong in terms of others perspective.

So what should we do to improve ourselves?

Consider the following elements when preparing a competition image... (my simple quick guide to judging and giving feedback)

Impact
• Wow!! Factor
Composure
• Subject isolation, distractions
• Landscape vs Portrait vs Square vs Pano
• Crop
• Lines
• Rule of thirds (or not)
Exposure / Depth of Field / Focus
• Focus – depth of field, bokeh
• Dark vs Light – bright/dark spots
• Monochrome tonal range
• Blow areas, Dark areas
Processing / Presentation
• Colour Saturation and Range
• Colour cast
• Pixilation / Noise
• Borders and presentation


Once your image has been voted and your not in the running in a comp, post it for feedback - you will learn heaps that way!

The main thing is to use the comp system as a way to improve