what wins photo contests?

[rtphokie]

Here are the 3 ribbon winners in the North Carolina State fair. Next year I'm submitting some weathered architecture I guess. Look at these photos only for composition and subject matter. Not color or lighting. They were taken of framed prints behind glass in horrible lighting conditions at an angle and then skewed back approximately square in Photoshop.

1st

2nd

3rd

The curious thing is that there were other photos in the competition of very similar subjects that didn't win a thing and looked better to me. Makes you wonder how the judges criteria works.

I couldn't help but compare a similar "down the spiral staircase" photo that didn't win anything to the blue ribbon winner. The non winner was of a white stairs lead to a white floor and was absolutely stunning. I'll try to remember to get a photo of it if we visit the fair again this week.

 

[pyrxtc]

but everyone has thier own likes and dislikes about different photography./ These photos look amazing and I'm sure the judges thought they deserved it. That is why when you enter a contest, it is all up to what the judges are looking for and what they like. It may not be the most appealing to the masses but it may be technically better or whatever the judges decide to look for. they are just people too and form their own opinions. I actually really like the american spirit in the barn photo. I ahve seen some gorgeous wedding shots on winding staircase like in the first.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Just be careful you don't get hit upside your head while you're snapping the picture. LOL

I'm on the committee that puts on a fairly sizeable art show here each year. Professional artists get very upset when people try to take pictures of their work. I don't know if people who submit things to a state fair would have the same temperament or not.

 

[extreme8]

One of the buildings I work in is hosting an art show/sale for a local camera club and you wouldn't believe what they're asking for some of that stuff.
A picture of a cow that I probably wouldn't even have printed is listed at over $200.
I guess you can never really tell what others will like.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Wow! A picture of a picture wins, huh? Excuse me, a realy bad picture of a picture. What was the category? Realy bad pictures of pictures?

Guess this does not fit, no reflections:

Mikeeee

 

[jann1033]

our pint sized local fair is kind of a "who you know and how long you've been entering" kind of deal but guessing that is just due to the local board and all their kids/grand kids/great grand kids that enter stuff...."anonymously" and all I'm sure( IE a picture of the grandpa makes you wonder who could have taken it?????????? )

i'm sure larger contests are not so "predestined" and more on the taste of the judges and what's trendy or innovative at the time.

 

[rtphokie]

our pint sized local fair is kind of a "who you know and how long you've been entering" kind of deal but guessing that is just due to the local board and all their kids/grand kids/great grand kids that enter stuff...."anonymously" and all I'm sure( IE a picture of the grandpa makes you wonder who could have taken it?????????? )

i'm sure larger contests are not so "predestined" and more on the taste of the judges and what's trendy or innovative at the time.

The entry form points out that judges are from "out of state". There are seperate categories for "life in North Carolina" and "best representation of agriculture in North Carolina" and even a category for photos of last year's state fair.

 

[jann1033]

The entry form points out that judges are from "out of state". There are seperate categories for "life in North Carolina" and "best representation of agriculture in North Carolina" and even a category for photos of last year's state fair.

the prizes are probably better than ours too...think here it's like a free pass to next yrs fiasco... i mean fair.


ot but we were recently in nc and i loved all the farmers markets...took tons of pics at them while the locals looked at me like i was nuts for photographing canned asparagus

 

[rtphokie]

the prizes are probably better than ours too...think here it's like a free pass to next yrs fiasco... i mean fair.

ot but we were recently in nc and i loved all the farmers markets...took tons of pics at them while the locals looked at me like i was nuts for photographing canned asparagus

The NC Farmers Market is one of my favorite shooting locations

more photos

 

[skr8pn]

I thought this was simple. I was going to say puppies and kids.

the 2nd one is in Fuquay Varina. I pass it just about everyday. I could have taken a picture of that and been set. I guess they didn't have to many pictures of race cars in the contest. My main subject.

 

[boBQuincy]

In the contests the Raleigh newspaper holds what usually wins is photos of the downtrodden. I was going to have one of my friends dress in tattered clothes and get a photo of him walking the downtown streets in the rain.

Keep the photo somewhat dark and a little blurred and it would be a sure winner!
So I stopped entering their contests.
Here at Disboards people actually *like* cheerful photos of happy places! What a concept.