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04/05/2006 03:21:26 PM · #1 |
I'm moving this quote from another thread so more people might access it...
Thought you might find this interesting. This is the criteria used to judge pictures in competition for the International Print Competition:
12 Elements of a Merit Print
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:
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.
Creativity is the external expression of the imagination of the maker by using the medium to convey an idea, message or thought.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Subject Matter should always be appropriate to the story being told in an image.
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.
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.
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.
Story Telling refers to the image̢۪s 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.
The above was quoted from Professional Photographers Of America's website (ppa.com)
Message edited by author 2006-04-05 16:00:09.
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04/05/2006 05:03:12 PM · #2 |
| Does it imply a photographer needs to keep those in mind when shooting for a winner? I work for a big corp and it reminds me the set of 'qualities' they set for a job interview. Then someone great at just one of these qualities comes along and gets the post anyway just 'because he was excellent' in this or that. It's interesting to see how the pros deconstruct 'great shot', probably good at settling disputes over which shot should get the ribbon, but is of little purpose to anyone shooting, imho. |
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04/05/2006 05:38:59 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by olbol:
Does it imply a photographer needs to keep those in mind when shooting for a winner? |
Note that almost every criterion stated contains provision for "appropriate exceptions." It is also targeted towards the viewing of mounted prints, where the criteria for quality are somewhat different than for a web-sized image file. |
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04/05/2006 06:20:27 PM · #4 |
i would say that the printed file should look the same as the web sized version at the given print size and proper viewing distance. i often wonder, here at dpchallenge, how many entries are extreme crops of a scene, which would defeat the purpose of the image altogether in any other medium besides an online judging.
personally i try, very hard in most cases, to compose the image as close to finished ( print quality ) as possible, allowing for some minor straightening or resize/aspect ratio considerations.
i'm not sure the 'appropriate exceptions' clause applies to those that don't at least consider this while composing an image. a very good example is currently a top 20 in the abstract macro results. a fine entry and a fine finish, but does this image have any life/use outside of dpchallenge.
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Note that almost every criterion stated contains provision for "appropriate exceptions." It is also targeted towards the viewing of mounted prints, where the criteria for quality are somewhat different than for a web-sized image file. |
Message edited by author 2006-04-05 18:22:11.
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04/05/2006 06:27:05 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by soup:
i'm not sure the 'appropriate exceptions' clause applies to those that don't at least consider this while composing an image. a very good example is currently a top 20 in the abstract macro results. a fine entry and a fine finish, but does this image have any life/use outside of dpchallenge. |
If an image has been shot specifically for dpchallenge does it matter if it has no other use ?
I shoot many images specifically for dpchallenge and on some days its the only reason for picking up the camera in the first place.
cheers,
bazz.
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04/05/2006 06:45:46 PM · #6 |
If an image has been shot specifically for dpchallenge does it matter if it has no other use ?
I shoot many images specifically for dpchallenge and on some days its the only reason for picking up the camera in the first place.
cheers,
bazz. [/quote]
There doesn't need to be any other use for it, however images like that don't usually get a high score from me. An image needs to have lasting appeal, which is why I try to go back after voting and look at every image a second and third time before giving out the final vote. Images that just "meet the challenge" even if shot to technical perfection rarely get anything above a 7 from me.
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04/05/2006 07:04:08 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by yanko:
There doesn't need to be any other use for it, however images like that don't usually get a high score from me. An image needs to have lasting appeal, which is why I try to go back after voting and look at every image a second and third time before giving out the final vote. Images that just "meet the challenge" even if shot to technical perfection rarely get anything above a 7 from me. |
Hehehehe
That explains why I'm stuck in the mid-sixes :)
bazz.
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04/05/2006 07:08:25 PM · #8 |
to shoot for a challenge is one thing, to shoot with the intention of producing nothing more than a web sized image from a 4+MP camera i consider it a waste of time - of which i have little extra.
to present a 640x640 crop and have me as a voter have no clue as to the making of the image is a waste of a vote in my opinion as a photographer. this is afterall a site where bettering your photography skills is the premise - no?
Originally posted by sir_bazz:
If an image has been shot specifically for dpchallenge does it matter if it has no other use ?
I shoot many images specifically for dpchallenge and on some days its the only reason for picking up the camera in the first place.
cheers,
bazz. |
Message edited by author 2006-04-05 19:09:18.
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04/05/2006 07:19:58 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by soup:
to shoot for a challenge is one thing, to shoot with the intention of producing nothing more than a web sized image from a 4+MP camera i consider it a waste of time - of which i have little extra.
to present a 640x640 crop and have me as a voter have no clue as to the making of the image is a waste of a vote in my opinion as a photographer. this is afterall a site where bettering your photography skills is the premise - no? |
Ahhh I see what you mean now....thanks for clarifying.
cheers,
bazz.
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04/05/2006 07:25:38 PM · #10 |
NP
now back to originally schedule program ;}
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