| Scott Musson | ||
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Scott's recent judging assignments have been with the North Bethesda Camera Club, the McLean Camera Club, and the Loudon Camera Club. |
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How I view the role of the camera club judge: The camera club judge should provide honest and objective evaluation of images presented providing a critique of the image maker’s craftsmanship, the use of the picture space and most importantly the use of creativity and the images visual design & communication within the time the club has allotted for the competition. It is of the utmost importance that the judge is respectful of the image maker, and provides considerate but an honest evaluation of the image with an emphasis on the educational aspects of the judgment and critique so that the image maker and the camera club audience will benefit from the competition experience. The judge needs to provide an evaluation and ranking consistent with their remarks, they need to be decisive and respectful of time limitations and provide all information in the most positive manor possible. For those clubs who have separate categories for novice entrants, special effort should be made for those images to provide educational comments to help the image makers learn how to improve their images.
What criteria will I use for judging?
I will evaluate images for technical merit including color accuracy, depth of field used, exposure, and the overall quality of the presentation (e.g,. print quality and matting for prints). Additionally I will evaluate the use of the picture space, including compositional elements such as spacing, separation, placement, balance, sharpness and the appropriateness of the background. The image contrast, lighting and balance will also be reviewed. Particular attention will be paid to strength of visual design reviewing the use and placement of image elements and their geometry, strength of lines, use and placement of shapes, texture, and rhythm and harmony of the image elements. The applicability and the use of creative techniques will be reviewed and commented on as appropriate. I find one of the most compelling presentations of images is a common or mature subject that we’ve seen before, presented in new and imaginative way. Of course I will read and apply the rules of the camera club to the best of my ability to judge the competition.