Keith_A_Howe
03-11-2008, 12:20 AM
For all new to entering
Here are the scores and categories for affiliated judgings. As a special bonus you get my personal suggestions as to what they mean. Please keep in mind that photographers tend to enter what they feel is their best images, not their average work. So when you look at the category titles keep in mind they based off of "entered" images. It takes a lot to reach the merit level and those that recieve 80 or higher at an affiliated judging truly have accomplished something. It is not an easy thing to do.
According to Keith
Exceptional 100-95 ------ This is the category to dream of. It is for those truly exceptional images that have it all! They make you want to go back and look again and again and again. Each time you see even more and are amazed by the skill, artistry and impact of the image.
Superior 94-90 ------- This category is a bit more common but yet you will usually only have a handful of images that will come up to this level of quality and impact in any one affiliated regional judging.
Excellent 89-85 --------- This category is what it says, truly excellant images. These images are in a catagory above the merited images that represents the skill in all the elements of a merit image.
Deserving of a Merit 84-80 ------ This is the lofty goal we all try for. With in this category is a sub-category (80-81) that is reviewed for merit worthiness. This is where at the end of a judging these images are brought back before the panel and reviewed (ins and outs (thumbs up or down)). It takes 80 % or 4 out of 5 judges to move an image down. If it is moved to a 79 it is then reviewed again in that category for another chance at a merit. Judges may challange again during ins and outs.
Deserving of Review 79-78 ------- You will find a lot of images in this category. These are the images that fell just short of the Merit catagory. It could be from any number of reasons based off of the Elements.
Above Average 77-76 ------ You will find a lot of images in this category as well. This is as it says Above Average for competition.
Average 75-74 ----- This level is pretty self explanatory.
Acceptable 73-70 ------ This level is considered in most regionals to be the min. acceptable score to be included in the print show. (Note this is the show at most regionals. To be in the show at IUSA you must have recieved a merit.)
Below Exhibition Standards 69-00 ------- This level we do not see very many of. Makers that have images in this level, I would hope, would really seek out help with thier understanding of the elements of a merit image, lighting, camera and print making skills.
Loan Collection
All merit images are judged for "Loan Collection" at the International Judging.
A panel of 6 or more jurors will judge using the "Thumbs" method of judging. A simple majority is all that is required for the print to "go loan".
The jury chairman will count thumbs for the image. If it is evenly split, or close, the chairman will call for someone to speak for the print. After the selected juror has commented for the print, the chairman may call on someone else for the print. After that, comments will be requested against the print, then for and against, alternately. When there are no more
comments the chairman will call for the vote. Upon re-voting the decision will be announced
"goes loan" or "stays the same".
Jurors and Jury Chairman on a Loan panel have the right to challenge. A rebuttal is granted to the challenger when a juror challenges.
Here is the 12 elements of a Merit Image.
12 Elements of a Merit Print
The Photographic Exhibitions Committee (PEC) of PPA uses the 12 elements below as the “gold standard” to define a merit image. PEC trains judges to be mindful of these elements when judging images to the PPA merit level and to be placed in the International Print Exhibit at the annual convention. The use of these 12 elements connects the modern practice of photography and its photographers to the historical practice of photography begun nearly two centuries ago.
Twelve elements have been defined as necessary for the success of an art piece or image. Any image, art piece or photograph will reveal some measure of all twelve elements, while a visually superior example will reveal obvious consideration of each one. They are:
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.
2) Creativity is the external expression of the imagination of the maker by using the medium to convey an idea, message or thought.
3) 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.
4) 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.
5) Print Presentation affects an image by giving it a finished look. The mats and borders used should support and enhance the image, not distract from it.
6) 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.
7) 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 manmade or natural, proper use of it should enhance an image.
8) Subject Matter should always be appropriate to the story being told in an image.
9) 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.
10) Technical excellence is the print quality of the image itself as it is presented for viewing. Sharpness, exposure, printing, mounting and correct color all speak to the qualities of the physical print.
11) Technique is the approach used to create the image. Printing, lighting, posing, film choice, paper selection 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.
Hope this helps
Keith
Here are the scores and categories for affiliated judgings. As a special bonus you get my personal suggestions as to what they mean. Please keep in mind that photographers tend to enter what they feel is their best images, not their average work. So when you look at the category titles keep in mind they based off of "entered" images. It takes a lot to reach the merit level and those that recieve 80 or higher at an affiliated judging truly have accomplished something. It is not an easy thing to do.
According to Keith
Exceptional 100-95 ------ This is the category to dream of. It is for those truly exceptional images that have it all! They make you want to go back and look again and again and again. Each time you see even more and are amazed by the skill, artistry and impact of the image.
Superior 94-90 ------- This category is a bit more common but yet you will usually only have a handful of images that will come up to this level of quality and impact in any one affiliated regional judging.
Excellent 89-85 --------- This category is what it says, truly excellant images. These images are in a catagory above the merited images that represents the skill in all the elements of a merit image.
Deserving of a Merit 84-80 ------ This is the lofty goal we all try for. With in this category is a sub-category (80-81) that is reviewed for merit worthiness. This is where at the end of a judging these images are brought back before the panel and reviewed (ins and outs (thumbs up or down)). It takes 80 % or 4 out of 5 judges to move an image down. If it is moved to a 79 it is then reviewed again in that category for another chance at a merit. Judges may challange again during ins and outs.
Deserving of Review 79-78 ------- You will find a lot of images in this category. These are the images that fell just short of the Merit catagory. It could be from any number of reasons based off of the Elements.
Above Average 77-76 ------ You will find a lot of images in this category as well. This is as it says Above Average for competition.
Average 75-74 ----- This level is pretty self explanatory.
Acceptable 73-70 ------ This level is considered in most regionals to be the min. acceptable score to be included in the print show. (Note this is the show at most regionals. To be in the show at IUSA you must have recieved a merit.)
Below Exhibition Standards 69-00 ------- This level we do not see very many of. Makers that have images in this level, I would hope, would really seek out help with thier understanding of the elements of a merit image, lighting, camera and print making skills.
Loan Collection
All merit images are judged for "Loan Collection" at the International Judging.
A panel of 6 or more jurors will judge using the "Thumbs" method of judging. A simple majority is all that is required for the print to "go loan".
The jury chairman will count thumbs for the image. If it is evenly split, or close, the chairman will call for someone to speak for the print. After the selected juror has commented for the print, the chairman may call on someone else for the print. After that, comments will be requested against the print, then for and against, alternately. When there are no more
comments the chairman will call for the vote. Upon re-voting the decision will be announced
"goes loan" or "stays the same".
Jurors and Jury Chairman on a Loan panel have the right to challenge. A rebuttal is granted to the challenger when a juror challenges.
Here is the 12 elements of a Merit Image.
12 Elements of a Merit Print
The Photographic Exhibitions Committee (PEC) of PPA uses the 12 elements below as the “gold standard” to define a merit image. PEC trains judges to be mindful of these elements when judging images to the PPA merit level and to be placed in the International Print Exhibit at the annual convention. The use of these 12 elements connects the modern practice of photography and its photographers to the historical practice of photography begun nearly two centuries ago.
Twelve elements have been defined as necessary for the success of an art piece or image. Any image, art piece or photograph will reveal some measure of all twelve elements, while a visually superior example will reveal obvious consideration of each one. They are:
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.
2) Creativity is the external expression of the imagination of the maker by using the medium to convey an idea, message or thought.
3) 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.
4) 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.
5) Print Presentation affects an image by giving it a finished look. The mats and borders used should support and enhance the image, not distract from it.
6) 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.
7) 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 manmade or natural, proper use of it should enhance an image.
8) Subject Matter should always be appropriate to the story being told in an image.
9) 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.
10) Technical excellence is the print quality of the image itself as it is presented for viewing. Sharpness, exposure, printing, mounting and correct color all speak to the qualities of the physical print.
11) Technique is the approach used to create the image. Printing, lighting, posing, film choice, paper selection 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.
Hope this helps
Keith