| Mary Ann Setton | ||
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Mary Ann's recent judging assignments include the Northern Virginia Photographic Society, the Vienna Photographic Society, the Shenandoah Photographic Society, the Gaithersburg Camera Club, and the Arlington County Fair. |
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1. My view of the role of a camera club judge:
There are three important jobs for a judge: (1) to process the competition and decisively choose the best images in as fair and professional manner possible, using a sense of humor and comfortable language to put competitors at ease, and leaving any personal photographic likes and dislikes at the door; (2) to take proper opportunities to critique by teaching, doing this as quickly as possible in a clear, non-repetitive, easy to understand, and non-hurtful manner always looking for the positives before commenting on potential improvements; and (3) to encourage photographers not only to improve specific flaws in an image, but to know that they are or can be good photographers and have a proud right to be part of the competition. Be sensitive to the fact that many competitors are not very self-confident and that you have the power to either inspire or make them feel badly. Remember, you too, were once a novice.
Perhaps there is also a fourth: To recognize that you are there to professionally judge and facilitate the competition, not to toot one’s own horn with personal experiences, or make remarks that can be self-serving or perceived as arrogant.
2. The criteria I would use as a camera club judge:
I would use my experience as a photographer, competitor, and lover of art to apply the following criteria. There is no value or proportional percentage attached to each for they may vary.
1. Technical aspects. These include elements of visual design, appropriate exposure for the image, sharp focus of subject, print quality, technique used, color accuracy (when appropriate), ease of finding a subject or center of interest (unless an abstract), and .
2. Presentation. Try to convey the importance of photographers showing images at their best for competition. Encourage them to look at matting, colors used, size for viewing.
3. Creativity and Story-telling. Images that show a scene in a different, interesting or unusual way, and those that convey a mood or invoke an emotion.
4. Impact and Linger Power. Hard to define except that those images which catch my eye or imagination quickly and those that invite me to keep looking at it.
During the process, I will let the image speak for itself in its entirety. Photography is an art as well as a skill and both should be considered and encouraged. I don’t have to understand how it was made or know exactly what I am looking at.
I would be open to learning, however, from image makers, from mentors and colleagues, and from professional workshops. As a judge, I would try to understand current techniques but recognize that I can’t know it all. But I can and will appreciate the beauty and interest and creativity and technique to the best of my ability.