I thought that some of you might be interested in how competitions work at one of the camera clubs I belong to.  There are several different competitions during the year with different themes.  The subject of this competition from 2013 was the projected image competition which means the subject matter is wide open with the one provision  that the photo must look more or less realistic.  Each member –can add up to 3 images.  There are three judges scoring each image out of a total of ten points.  Average is six, perfect is ten.  We have three divisions beginner, advanced and masters.  Basically new members start as a beginner and once you have have enough points you move up to the next division.  I am now in the beginner group although I expect next year that I will move to the advanced group.   To be honest I don't see a lot of  difference between the beginner and advanced photographers.  However, most of the master photographers at the club are fantastic photographers.    Beginner members are allowed to get comments on one photo and if any of the scores have a two point difference the low and high judge also comments.    

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This is the first photo I entered.   The shot was taken in Tuscany.   It was the photo that  I had requested a comment on.   The judges scored it 7 9 7 for a total of 23.  The middle judge loved the photo.  Since there was a two point difference I received two comments on this photo.  The low judge said that he liked the composition, shadows and colours but that the road and foreground  was a bit bright  and should be toned down in order to earn a better score.  So coming home I made the change to the image.  I think the judges was  correct.  What do you think?

The next image of flamingos in Kenya received a score of  9 7 7 for a total of 23.  Because there was a two point difference I received a comment from the high and low judge.   One of the low judges said they would like to see less water but then thought that the maker probably kept the water in to show the reflections (he was correct with that thought).  The high judge disagreed and said if anything perhaps some of the top could be cropped.  I thought it was great that the photo created so much discussion.  The photograph received an honourable mention.

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This last photo that I entered (Misty morning in Tuscany)  received a score of 9 10 7 for a total of 26.  Once again with the two point difference the low and high judge gave their comments.  The high judge thought it was perfect.  The judge that gave it a 7 liked the photograph but thought there could have been more details in the trees.   The photo was the runner up in the beginners category.  There was another photo with the same score  as mine but ended up being picked as the top photo in my division.  That photograph  actually won the top photograph of the show beating out every other photo in all divisions.   I couldn't too unhappy over losing to the top photo:).  

 One thing that  becomes very obvious in the judging is that it is very subjective-even the judges do not agree at times.  Photos that are technically ok  or that meet the basic criteria usually score around 18- if there are major issues, a lower score will be given.    A score of 22 respectable and indicates that the photo had some impact on the judges.  It is also quite important that the photo tell some kind of story- especially in nature judging.  

​I really enjoy entering entering  the competitions because I feel it is one of the best ways to improve my photography.   It is also a great way of meeting people at the clubs especially when I go to the judging where there are just a small group of people.   During the actual presentation of the competitions' results (usually one or two weeks later)  people see your images on the screen and hear your name called out  so they get to know who you are.    I have also volunteered at the judging  with marking the scores, reading out titles etc.    I don't always get a chance to enter the competitions but I find it much more fun going to the judging and presentations if I have entered.  

 I like getting the comments to see what I should have done differently.  I may not always agree but overall the judging at the clubs is quite good.  I always score the images as the judges are scoring them and then  compare.   More often than not I am very close to the judges.