How long did it take you to get your Master's?

[Jessica_Edwards]

Just started my business 2 years ago, so I'm not close. Just curious to see how long it took you guys.

[Marc_Benjamin]

Within 3 years from when I first entered.

I started my business 3 years before I sent my first case to nationals.

[Jeff_Dachowski]

I earned mine over 4 print comps.

I entered my first case in 2005 and received my Degree in Jan of 2009.

Jeff

[Linda_Gregory]

Seriously, you guys are an anomoly. I don't think it's usually that fast so don't start getting discouraged, Julie!

I do not have mine yet, I entered the first time in 06 with 2 merits (total knock my socks off surprise) 4 the next (won't mention how stunned I was) and 3 the next. I took a year off because I needed to refocus on some things and was losing enthusiasm. I have continued with my non print merits but am about to head back in this year with renewed enthusiasm.

Oh, and I've learned more with the critiques especially on the non merit images so they were definite pluses.

[Greg_Haag]

Linda,
I want to start this process in 2010 (never entered a print comp), when is the next opportunity to enter?
Thanks,
Greg

[Betsy_Finn]

Well since you didn't specify which ones....

I compiled enough speaking merits for my Cr.Photog. over the course of one year (the service merits had been slowly accumulating since 2005). I'll be a degree candidate at Imaging in January.

I've been working on my M.Photog. since 2007. First year I entered, I got two merits, and the next two years, 4 each. So, I am not quite there on print merits...even though I have enough service merits. We'll see how I do this upcoming round.

[Linda_Gregory]

Linda,
I want to start this process in 2010 (never entered a print comp), when is the next opportunity to enter?
Thanks,
Greg

Greg,

http://www.ppa.com/competitions/international.php has all the info and then some that you need to know about the PPA international print comp but it's wise to start locally to get an idea of what to do with your prints.

I typically enter my local affiliate's (KKPA) January print comp with images that I think might do well and listen to critiques given to see if they can be improved or if they're just hopeless.

I then enter in the regional affilated judging (HOA for me, not sure what it is for Arkansas) competitions where, if they are judged worthy there, automatically get a merit when submitted to the Int comp and are considered for loan status which means-among other things-two merits.

Again, if I've not been able to listen to critique or there was none during judging on the images that don't merit there, I ask someone whom I know has experience in the process to give me direction and many times, post here as there are more than a few seasoned masters willing to help.

I was told by someone (Dave Svoboda who is a God at print comp) that I was spoiled the first year I entered by getting two merits. I would no longer be happy with anything less. I scoffed at him but I think it's true for many. Luckily for me, the second year was better and the third better than the first, not as good as the second.

I LEARN continually in comp and it spills over to my studio work by making me LOOK at what I'm doing and to know what to look for before pressing that shutter.

[Jeff_Dachowski]

I wonder if anyone thinks it would be beneficial to see all the prints it took to get to Masters?
Jeff

[Keith_A_Howe]

I wonder if anyone thinks it would be beneficial to see all the prints it took to get to Masters?
Jeff

Well probably but seeing as how my first few were cave paintings it might be difficult to post them here.



Just thought I'd get that comment out of the way before someone else made it. Actually mine were all from film and I don't even have all the prints anymore - so it would be impossible for me.

Keith

[Jeff_Dachowski]

Actually mine were all from film and I don't even have all the prints anymore - so it would be impossible for me.

Keith

Keith...
Your'e such a quitter..
Jeff