Which Print Competitions do you enter?

[mrbarton]

Oh yeah, Don, that was in RED! Ha. Well, the part that seemed like it was in red. The rest is true.

[Don_Chick]

If Don Chick is reading, I'll point out that I've had 35 out of 37 score above 80 or merit and just last month got my first two dreaded 79's on the year. Not bad!

Michael, You're my new hero!!! Sorry Jeff.....

[mrbarton]

More red typing. . . . .

Back to black. Seriously, there's such an opportunity in print competition. I always joke about the transition that happens in people's minds when they are entering. It usually starts out with "I'm not really happy with this case but let's see what happens". From there the fee gets paid and the paperwork is turned is with the case and then the waiting game. Then the amnesia and then the comment "those judges are such C$%#!!!! I can't believe I didn't merit!!!!" People like me are saying, "Um, what happened to 'I'm not really happy with my case?'" No response. I've also seem people really upset with judges and hating everything and then taking a bow when they win something! That makes me a laugh too! If they were SO bad when you were losing then you should have a hollow win too right?

Here's the punch line. The more we enter the fewer surprises we have. Several people are working on next June already. Those people will most likely do a little better if they use the system correctly. There are always surprises don't get me wrong, but they will be fewer if we've already heard comments and gotten a few scores. I saw a 100 print not even merit at nationals. I've seen the reverse. There are no absolutes. That said, albeit not perfect, there is a GREAT system in place. Use it.

[Joe_Campanellie]

Maryland used to be a fairly aggressive state when it came to state print competition. We've had to cut back because of costs but at one time we used to have 5 monthly print competitions in which you could enter up to 6 prints.On top of that was our annual competition which you could enter up to 8 prints and 2 folios.

If that wasn't enough for me my wife and I also belong to Pennsylvania. Then our SEPPA competition and then PPA.So...there was plenty of opportunities to have the judges look at your prints and plenty of opportunities to learn the process. When I first jumped in in 1992 I wanted nothing more than to become a better photographer. All the other stuff has just been icing on the cake.

I guess what concerns me is what I see now on the state level. So many people enter a few competitions and then walk away cussing at the judges. So many people now want instant success without the work. Nothing happens over night. It takes times. It's an educational process.

I try to explain this to them but too many times it just seems to fall on deaf ears. There is so much to be gained from print competition but not if you are unable to approach it with an open mind and the ability to listen to criticism and adapt and change.

This is the first year that I have not competed on the state level in our monthly competitions. Took the year off to work on my Fellowship but I'll be right back in the middle of it come convention.

[Joe_Campanellie]

MIchael...I thought you couldn't switch regions. Meaning if you belong to MARC I didn't think you could send a case to SEPPA.

Unless MARC does not have an EI division.

But...I've never submitted multiple cases either. I think my wife would shoot me if I decided to go after EI.

[mrbarton]

Hey Joe. MARC is open, SEPPA is EI. MARC doesn't offer EI so I have to borrow seals from you guys! SEPPA is really a great group. I was down there for about 8 hours this year. I drove down to see EI judging and then came back 900 miles. Well worth it. I'll probably stay longer this year.

[Joe_Campanellie]

Mary Jean and I really like the SEPPA crowd...really nice people and we have made a lot of friends over the years.

MJ and I went down there this year. Haven't been in a while. Got a little beat up on some prints I thought would do better. Talked to the judges after the judging and made some changes. Guessed it worked with four loan.

Afterwards let my daughter and wife talk me into driving to Florida to visit our kids. Made for a long trip home but had a good visit. And time to go to one of my favorite photo spots in St Augustine for avian photography.

[Rick_Massarini]

Joe,

Right now, the last I heard, the only PPA regional that is allowed to judge Electronic Imaging images (for seals of approval) is SEPPA. So no matter where you live, if you want to enter a "regional" EI competition, SEPPA is the only one - so everyone uses the same regional... This may change with the PEC's new district plan - don't know - haven't seen it yet - but as of right now, I don't even know what states are going to be in what districts. If I hear of anything official from anyone on PEC, I'll let you know.

[Joe_Campanellie]

I've seen the new list of new regions and the states they comprise...just can't put my finger on it right now.

SEPPA stayed pretty much the same with the exception of West VA becoming a member of SEPPA. Might have been some other changes but I can't remember them.

[Rick_Massarini]

I've heard - unofficially - that SWPPA (Southwest) is going to grow from 5 states -Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico - to 10 states - adding in Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Kansas, Missouri plus any International entries from Mexico. That's going to make Southwest a huge judging... Too bad SWPPA didn't pick up Nebraska too, that way I could look forward to seeing our friends from Nebraska at the regional too... But then we might become strapped for jurors and JC's... oh well...