General Competition Rules
- All images are to be judged on their own merit.
- All images will be judged on impact, and technical perfection.
- Images for themed competitions have been pre-screened to comply with the theme.
- For themed competitions, how well the theme is conveyed should be a significant factor in determining the score.
- Do not give an image a score of 5 or 6 so that it can be fixed and re-entered.
- There will not be an initial viewing of the images.
Scoring
- For a score of 5, has significant technical and compositional deficiencies that cannot not be addressed by editing.
- For a score of 6, has technical and compositional deficiencies that may or may not be addressed by editing.
- For a score of 7, must meet all of the technical criteria but has compositional and/or artistic deficiencies.
- For a score of 8, must meet all of the technical criteria but has minor compositional and/or artistic deficiencies.
- For a score of 9, must meet all of the technical criteria, has no compositional or artistic deficiencies and has visual impact.
- An image should be disqualified (DQ) if it was entered into the wrong contest, e.g. a mono image entered into a color competition.
- The club requires that the entire content of an image originate from the maker. If a component such as the sky, texture, background, etc, did not originate from the maker, the image should be disqualified (DQ).
Critiquing
- Provide a brief description of the positive aspects of the image followed by constructive criticism to improve the image.
- An image should be disqualified (DQ) if it was entered into the wrong contest; e.g. a ono image entered ito a color competition
- The club requires that the entire content of an image originate from the maker. If a component suck as the sky, texture, background, etc did not originate from the maker, the image should be disqualified (DQ.)
- Allow more time for critiquing the Beginner and Advanced images than for the Salon and Master images.
- For prints, base your comments and score only on the print image. Use the projected image of the print for explaining your comments.
NOTE: The club likes to use NJFCC and PSA judging criteria. If you are unfamiliar with these, a brief description of some of the main points are below. More information can be found at https://www.nmra.org/national-photo-contest-judging-guidelines
Technical Criteria
- Is the photograph properly exposed – too light or too dark?
- Is the main subject in focus?
- Is the depth of field shallow or deep? Does the depth of field work or should more or less of the image be in focus?
- What type of color do you see? Are the colors too vivid or not vivid enough? Are the colors true?
- Is the color balance correct?
- Is there enough or too much contrast?
- Is the horizon straight?
- Are there visible traces of image manipulation?
Composition
- What is the center of interest in the photograph?
- Did the photographer get close enough to the subject or does the photo include wasted parts that do not add to the message of the photograph?
- Are there compositional elements that draw you into the photograph (leading lines, “S” curves)?
- Is the composition dynamic (rule of thirds, diagonal lines)?
- Is the background compatible with the main subject?
- Are reflections, patterns, contrast, shadows, etc. properly dealt with?
Art
- How does the photograph make you feel?
- Does the photograph create a mood, and if so, what is the mood?
- Storytelling: An image that shows an action or an occurrence of things, such as weather, events, people, animals, etc.
- For themed competitions; does the image strongly convey the theme to the viewer.
Revised June 2023
