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Jerry Crawford’s, railway tracks at Englefeld
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Parkland Photography Club - February , 2002
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Tisdale - February 28, 2002 - by: Gerald Crawford |
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February 26th, 2002: Eleven members turned out for our
February meeting. |
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For the annual Transparency Battle, we had twenty one slides
submitted; we eventually pared it down to the eight that we are permitted to enter. |
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For the Theme, which was “Monument”, we had seven prints
entered. Winner was Darlene McCullough’s photo of two crossing signs, a short length
of track, and a distant wooden elevator. |
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Runners-up were Alie Neish’s photo of an old horse-drawn
gravel wagon, Alan Caithcart’s photo of a war memorial with a Canadian flag flying
above it, and Jerry Crawford’s photo of two pepperoni sticks, a town attraction at
Mundare, AB. |
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Darlene read an article in the February f-16, the Regina
Photo Club’s newsletter, authored by Larry Easton: “Tips for Entering Photography
Competitions”. |
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The following points are personal experiences from both entering, helping with running
of competitions, as well as judging various shows:
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- Study and understand the rules for the competition. Follow the rules; to not
do so could result in disqualification. If the rules are not understood, get clarification
from the rules committee.
- When selecting images for a competition category or theme, the photo must have
a main element or centre of interest that unmistakably fits the competition category.
For example, a table top image of a tomato does not fall into a theme category called
Industry. A tomato is the by-product of farming such as market gardening, which is
a sector of the agricultural industry. The tomato would fit a category such as: Still
Life, The Colour Red, or Food, etc. A wild rose falls into a category of Flora but
not readily into the Landscape/ Seascape category.
- Do not leave the selection of category to the competition organizers.
- Most judges will try to stay objective about a photograph, but if presentation
mat and frame distract, the photo may not receive the needed attention to place.
Stay away from classical and wood frames; these seem to work with paintings. They
just seem out of place in a photography competition
- Presentation techniques:
- Always have a photograph dry mounted if a picture frame is required.
- Matting, if used, should always be professionally done.
- make sure the image and mat/frame sizes meet rules for entry sizes.
- Try to use a title for each entry even if not called for. A suitable title appropriate
to the photo can't hurt.
- Photos in competitions must be tastefully done so as not to offend anyone, i.e.
nudes are not accepted in many amateur competitions, as is the case for the SaskAmateur
competition.
- If competitions call for any or all of either frames, mats or glass, the presentation
should be done to compliment the image but not compete for the attention.
- It helps sometimes to know who the judges are so that you may know what their
preferences are. However, this information is usually not made available.
- Enter categories that have lower entry numbers.
- Try to hear the judges critique comments on your entries and those of others
to learn some of the points that made winners and losers.
- Look at and study Best of Show, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and honourable mentions. Determine
what you think makes the photo a winner. Similarly, look at back issues of photo
competitions by a particular magazine competition, for their preference to photo
types and styles.
- Judging criteria generally include:
- Impact
- Technical (exposure, colour balance, tonal contrast, dust spots/water marks
- Composition.” We thank Larry Easton and the Regina Photo Club for that useful
information.
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Darlene advised that we have to judge the Gleneath “Foto
Fun” contest; since there wasn’t time tonight, she is going to contact some of the
other clubs to see what can be arranged. |
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The Print Display stand was set up and Malcolm Salmond
did his usual excellent critique. One of his comments was that ink-jet images should
be separated from photographic images for display and judging purposes. For Judge’s
Choice he selected Jerry Crawford’s black-and-white photo of the railway tracks at
Englefeld. The prints will be on display at the Doghide River Festival, March 23rd
and 24th. |
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For next meeting, March 26th, we will have the PRPA Travelling
Print Salon to view and critique. Theme for the March meeting will be “Bridge”. |
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Gerald B. Crawford
Box 100, Chelan, SK S0E 0N0
(306) 278-3423
Check out my Webpage: http://www3.sk.sympatico.ca/crawg
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