LOOKING AT PHOTOGRAPHS – A PERSONAL VIEW OF APPRAISING AND JUDGING PHOTOGRAPHS WITH THANKS TO KEN HOLLAND, ARPS, DPAGB FROM THE UK.
PART ONE OF THREE PARTS.
Presented by Evelyn Gibson.
A good judge does not pass judgement. He should regard judging as appraisal, assessment and analysis. In other words, judging should be evaluative, not critical.
A good judge should, where appropriate talk about the emotional side of a photograph, is it a pleasure to look at, is it depressing, is it moving, is it challenging, or even frightening.
This is not to say that the technical side of a photograph should be overlooked, poor technique can often ruin a potentially excellent picture.
BE HELPFUL – this is where we need to be constructive.
BE FAIR – don’t pull the photographer down.
BE INFORMED – be aware of what the photographer was trying to convey.
BE INTERESTING – try where possible to add humour to your comments.
BE UNBIASED – Most important.
GIVE THREE POSITIVE COMMENTS ON EACH IMAGE.
USE THE SANDWICH METHOD. (A positive, perhaps two constructive comments and followed by a positive).
KEEP YOUR APPROACH FRIENDLY, HUMOUROUS, LIGHT-HEARTED AND RESPECTFUL.
DON’T WAFFLE – ADMIT IF YOU DON’T KNOW. (Rather ask your co-judges to help you)
RULES ARE MADE TO BE BROKEN (Doesn’t always need a centre of interest, etc., what does the image say to you).
REMEMBER ALL IMAGES DON’T NEED CROPPING
AVOID CLICHES. (I really like this image, etc.).
SOME TIPS TO DATE FROM PART ONE OF THE COURSE ON JUDGING.
Photography is very much (Not always) about initial impact.
Give the appearance that you have enjoyed judging the images in front of you.
Be Confident in everything that you do.
Don’t waffle – don’t describe the picture in front of you when everyone can see it. Don’t repeat yourself.
Dont lecture.
Be totally honest
Don’t attempt to say how a picture has been taken.
Talk about a picture as though you were a “Critical friend” of the photographer.
Speak with modesty and humility – None of us is God’s gift to photography, we all continue to learn from one another.
Keep an open mind – you may have strong, feelings, opinions etc., but this is not the arena to vent them.
Try not to let yourself become prejudiced by what you have seen before.
Similar images in same competition by same photographer – judge the image in front of you.
Remember : It is a competition and therefore the best/strongest image, in your opinion is the winner.
PART TWO WILL BE ON “WHAT JUDGES ARE LOOKING FOR IN A GOOD IMAGE”
