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Suggested Guidelines for Judging

Suggested Point System

Points 1-3 Extremely flawed. Rarely used.

Points 4-5 Flawed.  Image has one or more severe technical problems.  (focus, exposure, bad color, etc.)

Point 6 Adequate.  Image is technically good, but it is not particularly interesting. (uninteresting subject matter, unattractive lighting, poor composition, etc.)

Point 7 Good.  Image is technically good, and interesting.

Point 8 Great.  Image is technically perfect and is visually exciting.  "It speaks tome."  However, I have a feeling I've seen it all before.

Point 9 Best.  Image is the same as Point 8, but it is also original, fresh, creative. It could be a new treatment for old subject matter, or it could be new subject matter.

Technical Considerations for Judging

(some mentioned above)

1. Emotional impact---important or interesting choice of subject matter

2. Proper composition (placement of the subject in the frame, spatial balance, appropriate depth of field, leading lines, perspective or camera angle, no unnecessary distractions or cluttering, horizontal horizons, horizontal vs. vertical)

3. Quality of light

4. Proper exposure for the subject matter (neither overexposed with highlights blown nor underexposed with poor detail in the shadows)

5. No undesirable noise

6. Sharp image (unless intentionally soft or out of focus)

7. Properly belongs to the category under consideration (including assignment images)

8. Good color rendition of the subject

9. The image can create a mood or emotion for the viewer or tell a story.

10. Wildlife images should have totally out of focus backgrounds when appropriate .

11. Wildlife images with action may be stronger than static images, although the latter can

be outstanding.

Judges are expected to assess an image on its own merits in an unbiased way.  

These are guidelines suggested by the Guidelines Judging Committee. They are not hard and fast rules for guiding you in your judging.