HUPS Photo Contest Judging - June 12, 2010

[scubafish]

Just What Makes a Good Image?

Underwater photography is unique in some ways due to the environment.  However, that does not mean that the rules of art and composition can be ignored when it comes to determining when an image is bad, good, or great.

In this workshop, Kandace Heimer and Dennis Deavenport will explore the 3 critical elements that separate mundane images from great ones.  Helping them will be a select panel of HUPS best to share their views on what they like in a set of images and why they choose one over another.

To start the program, Dennis and Kandace will give a short presentation on the three critical elements that they feel should always be considered when judging the merits of any picture:

1) Technical merit:  Focus, exposure, depth of field, proper use of strobes, camera positioning
2) Compositional merit:  Subject placement, negative space, elements of composition
3) The “Wow Factor”:  Subject rarity & interest, interaction & unusual behavior, speaking to the viewer, tells a story, exceptional composition & color, drama, mood, humor.

During the workshop, all participants will be asked to judge the demonstration images on these 3 values and then compare their results with those of the panel and presenters.  Discussion and interaction between the audience, panel, and presenters will be encouraged to allow everyone free rein in expressing their opinions of “Just What Makes a Good Image”.  

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When it comes to selecting images for the expert panel and the audience to judge and critique, you and I need to sit down with the candidate images and jointly agree which ones will best suit our purposes.  
I see us trying to emphasize things such as:
Technical merit:
> Proper focus
> Proper exposure
> Depth of field
> Proper use of strobes
   - backscatter control
   - shadows & control of shadows for depth and interest
   - natural/correct positioning of light direction
   - shooting for blue water backgrounds
> Basic camera positioning
   - shadows
   - shooting down vs up
Compositional merit:
> Subject placement
> Negative space
> Elements of composition
  - rule of thirds
  - on the diagonal
  - repetition
  - motion (or room for the subject to "move" into the image)
  - use of color
Wow factor:
> Subject rarity or interest
> Interaction shots
> Facing the camera
> Unusual behavior
> Exceptional composition
> Exceptional color
> Environmental issues


What: HUPS Photo Contest Judging
When: Saturday, June 12, 2010; 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm
Where: Bayland Community Center (http://hups.org/Meetings/Directions.html)
Cost: HUPS Members : FREE
TGCC Clubs & Members : $20
  Bay Area Divers
  Chum
  HUC
  Lunar Fins
General Public: $35

RSVP:
 Event participation is limited so please RSVP

This Workshops is FREE to HUPS members.
Want to be a member? http://www.hups.org/Members%20and%20Officers/Membership%20and%20Officers.htm

IF INTERESTED IN ATTENDING (Limited seating) there are a few ways to sign up:

  A. Fill out the Sign up Sheet at the next HUPS meeting.
  B. Create a login and password (takes 90 seconds) on this forum page and post a message HERE to add your name to the sign up list.

HUPS.org link to this workshop:
 http://www.hups.org/Workshops/Workshops/2010-Photo_Judging.htm

Hope to see you there!

[Webster]

As a point of interest, this will not only be about how to judge a photo, but it will be valuable from the perspective of learning what constitutes a good image from the standpoint of subject, composition, and quality (exposure, color, etc.).

I would have preferred a title along the lines of "Evaluating the Quality of Your Images and Judging Others" or something along those lines to emphasize this dimension of the workshop.

[scubafish]

Good points... Webster. As soon as I have Dennis' formal write up on this workshop I'll be adopting the details to further describe the opportunities. The workshop will be very informative to say the least.

[scubafish]

PLEASE NOTE:
  This workshop has changed as seen above:

• It will be one week earlier (June 12th, 2010)
• It will be held at Bayland Community Center (http://hups.org/Meetings/Directions.html)
• The time will be 12:00 noon to 3:00pm
• The information shown above on this post IS NOW CURRENT!!!

[cap10randy]

Put me down for the HUPS work shop on June 12th, 2010

Thanks,
Randy Widaman
cap10randy@comcast.net
832-264-8047 cell
281-338-8808  home

[Aeolus]

Hi Greg,

I had decided not to attend this workshop, but now I think that I will give it a try. Maybe I can pick up a few things. Thanks.

Joe Haws

[scubafish]

Here is the Sign Up List:

1.   Tammy Allyn
2.   Jack Allyn
3.   Randy Widaman
4.   Alicia Grimes
5.   Greg Grimes
6.   Sandy Bryan
7.   Kay Collier
8.   Rick Brower
9.   Vicki Brower
10.  Michael Brower
11.  Van Rathgeber
12.  Joe Haws
13.  Bruce Davenport
14.  Susan Davenport
15.  Michael Fernandez
16.  Monica Losey
17.  Mike Grueter
18.  Lance Glowacki
19.  Tom Collier
20.  Paul McDonald
21.  Mary McDonald
22.  Melissa Kaye

[scubafish]

Hi Greg,

I had decided not to attend this workshop, but now I think that I will give it a try. Maybe I can pick up a few things. Thanks.

Joe Haws

I've added you Joe...

[scubafish]

Put me down for the HUPS work shop on June 12th, 2010

Thanks,
Randy Widaman
cap10randy@comcast.net
832-264-8047 cell
281-338-8808  home

Randy you're on the list too.

[davenport974]

 Greg please sign us up for workshop on 6/12...Thanks....

[scubafish]

Greg please sign us up for workshop on 6/12...Thanks....

You guys are on the list...

[nudilover]

please add me to the list.

Michael Fernandez

[scubafish]

please add me to the list.

Michael Fernandez

Mike,
You're name is added to the list... Glad to see you can make it!

[skb]

Great workshop today.
Thanks Dennis and Candice for time and effort.

[kandace]

On behalf of Dennis and myself, I want to thank everyone who attended and participated in the "hands on" June 12 Workshop. I know that Saturday is a busy day for most folks, and especially those who work. I hope that everyone came away with at least one good tip to make a successful photo. When shooting underwater, keep mind what makes a striking image . . . a powerful composition! One with the key elements of design, good negative space, subject placement and putting it all together with good technical skills of focusing and lighting. And, remember that you can "think out of box." I know that just by putting this workshop together with Dennis, I have learned so much more about my own photography.

And, for the future judges, I hope that as you are reviewing the photo contest entries that you keep in mind what you learned at the workshop about the technical and compositional aspects of an image.

If you have any questions, please comment on this forum or send either Dennis or myself a private email.