Judging photo contests
Jan 24, 2023 10:47:31 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
Our photo club had specific judging criteria that required a bit of training to master. There were 5 factors to evaluate a photo and a number scoring system. It worked pretty well for our intra-club critiques. But when we sent 5 of our best to the regional contest our officers complained that the winners always came from the bigger clubs. The club goal was to make better photographers and needed a win to validate how well they were doing on that score. I suspect that since we were a small club our number of pros and advanced amateurs was small compared to the bigger clubs.
Jan 24, 2023 11:19:00 #
JD750 wrote:
Wow I suggest that you never enter a photo contest!
Another reason people might enter a photo contest is to learn and grow artistically. Of course for that to work, the contestant must have a bit of a tough skin, and also must check their ego at the door
Another reason people might enter a photo contest is to learn and grow artistically. Of course for that to work, the contestant must have a bit of a tough skin, and also must check their ego at the door
Exactly. The main reason I joined a club is for more peer review. Having friends and family gush over my work doesn’t really lead to improvement. Entering our monthly competitions I feel I’ve improved a lot. Early on I learned that judging is subjective and you might not agree with the judge, but most if the time I learn even if I don’t totally agree with the critique.
Jan 24, 2023 11:19:09 #
Jack 13088 wrote:
I think the club style contest is the best learnin... (show quote)
There was a YouTube video that I use to watch occasionally (don't recall it's name) where viewers would send in photo's and these two guys would select a bunch of them to review, and rate. Each guy would explain in detail what they liked and disliked about each photo, and in lots of detail. They always were pretty close in their evaluations, but not always. The photo's selected were all really good, if not great, but their critiques would open my eyes to lots of things that make a photo exceptional, or not.
On that note, there is a weekly Hog contest on For Your Consideration forum on the Hog that can be fun and it is judged by viewers, which is cool, but no feed back is given. Everyone votes on what they consider the best edit of one user submitted picture. I generally always agree with the winner, or second place BUT no feedback is ever given on what people made their judgements on. I think it would be good if people were encouraged to support their judgements a little, but I'm probably wrong.
Jan 24, 2023 11:45:25 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
We lived with Judging for over 10 years in our club. We all have prejudices on what we like as a picture. When we use the same judge all the time you can cater to his likes but, if you keep changing them you don't have a constant judging session. So damed if you do and damed if you don't.
I feel the changing of judges is better as you get varied opinions
I feel the changing of judges is better as you get varied opinions
Jan 24, 2023 11:45:39 #
BigDaddy wrote:
There was a YouTube video that I use to watch occa... (show quote)
OMG! What a grand idea! The HOG channel where a cast of regulars here shred photos on video. That could be delightfully funny. Especially the outtakes between cocktails!!! I'm in!
Jan 24, 2023 11:48:16 #
JD750 wrote:
This is not meant to be a criticism of human judge... (show quote)
Judging photographs will always be subjective. However, it is very helpful for a serious photographer to study the great painters of the past and courant photographic artists to see what is done to create outstanding works of art.
From this type of observation, "rules" of composition are adopted.
I have looked at the results of judging where three judges each judged the same entries. Yes, they will not always agree. But it is interesting to observe that the same two or three will often be listed near the top in their judging.
Subjectivity, when it comes to judging art is always good.
Jan 24, 2023 11:50:06 #
JD750 wrote:
This is not meant to be a criticism of human judge... (show quote)
I had the experience of judging interclub competitions among Chicago Area clubs many years ago while a member of a large club. We used PSA judging system whereas you have three judges giving a score between 3-9 with 9 being virtually flawless and 6 would be considered a snapshot. On one occasion I had the opportunity to judge with a professional photographer and his wife. He by the way taught seminars throughout the country mainly out west.
We had a time or two when a print scored 9,9 and 6? This realistically never happens believe me, and guess who scored the 6? It was the pro. We talked after the event and his wife was the one questioned as to who gave the score of 6 probably thinking it was me. Her and I never varied more than 1 point on a photo and him, Oh well what can I say. His wife just shook her head. By the way she also was a great photographer.
Jan 24, 2023 12:34:12 #
Real Nikon Lover wrote:
please read what Bigdaddy wrote. No shredding. No video.OMG! What a grand idea! The HOG channel where a cast of regulars here shred photos on video. That could be delightfully funny. Especially the outtakes between cocktails!!! I'm in!
Jan 24, 2023 12:34:55 #
JD750 wrote:
This is not meant to be a criticism of human judge... (show quote)
Photography and other arts are purely subjective.
The AI would be subjective per the programmers' vision.
So there will always be dissatisfied people over the decisions.
Jan 24, 2023 12:53:44 #
Not sure I'd like a contest that had a single judge that was always there. I suspect that 'catering to the judge's likes' would mean you duplicate the judge's style.
Jan 24, 2023 14:09:59 #
Jan 24, 2023 14:25:54 #
Jan 24, 2023 14:25:57 #
Humans take photos. Humans should judge them another duplicate post from my phone. Sorry.
Jan 24, 2023 14:26:23 #
NickGee
Loc: Pacific Northwest
mikeroetex wrote:
Bitter much? Obviously you have had your prize photo scored low at some point in life. I recently joined a photography club and have entered the monthly competitions. I have yet to fail to learn something, especially on technical terms, about all my entries. But then, I also keep an open mind about the critique. I like to call it adulting.
Never. Not once.
Jan 24, 2023 15:13:45 #
JD750 wrote:
This is not meant to be a criticism of human judge... (show quote)
Interesting points. The question for me is what is that makes a particular photo "best" in my opinion. Something about it has to move me. I recently went to see the latest Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at our local museum. I didn't agree with all the winning pics but they had a Viewer Favourite Winner which, of course, wasn't the choice of all the judges.
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