Page 8 - O-SNAP March 2021

O-SNAP OSHAWA SENIORS NEWSLETTER ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY March 2021

PERFECTING YOUR CRAFT

SERIES

Tips for Participating in Photo Contests

Excerpts from Dave Koch article on Viewbug

Art is subjective but there is a certain universal criteria. There are perhaps four levels of images

submitted for photo contests.

1-snapshots-casual images usually lacking proper lighting or framing, and generally lacking in appeal.
2-semi-serious - thought went into it but just not practiced enough to control little nuances.

3-great images– images that stand out, colors pop, no distractions, tack sharp, tell a story. You must shoot
hundreds of images to get that one shot.
4-winners– same as level 3 but add MAGIC. Usually things you have no control over like that beam of
light through the storm clouds. That extra something.

So...next time something catches your eye shoot it. Now chimp. What do you like and not like about it?
Look at the subject. What made you want to shoot it? Look at your camera. Did you capture that? Start
refining elements of the photo—focus, composition, zoom in and out, up or down,. Chimp again. Review
again. Judge again. Check foreground, background, exposure. Spend time on one image and be your own
worst judge, be brutal. The more you do it, the faster and better you will get at it. Friends opinions are
great but pro critiques are what you learn from.

Learn your camera. What can it do and not do? Don’t be afraid of M. Make mistakes and learn from
them.
Post processing lets you make a photo not just take it. But unnatural photos will never win a photo contest.

Step out of your comfort zone and try new genres and learn from them.

Become a harsh editor. It is better to have three great shots in your portfolio that 20 good ones. People
remember your best shot and your worst. Make sure your worst is still great.
Read the fine print concerning ownership and use of your images. Some companies run contests just to get
free photos.

Some DON’TS: Don’t think you can make a snapshot into a great shot with editing. Don’t NOT edit.
Don’t over edit. Don’t think you can save a bad image by making it B&W. Don’t enter off topic images.
Don’t enter three versions of the same image. Do enter only your best. Don’t take it personally.

8