One of the fastest ways to improve your artistic ability is to compete in your local, state, national, or international (WPPI) Print Competitions. Most of these competitions are based on the Professional Photographers of America Rules & Criteria, the elements judges look for in a merit print (a score of 80 or higher out of 100). I've been very fortunate over the years to have done well in these print competitions. There is definitely a learning curve to discovering just what the "judges" are looking for in a print. Each judge always has a different opinion and his or her own set of unpublished rules. Print competitions can be extremely frustrating because of these "so called" rules and the subjective nature of the judging.
Print Critique for: Long, Pam
Action Points:
1 1. Crop to the right to get rid of the “light trap”
2 2. Crop up from the bottom to minimize the arms
3 3. Crop from the left to create a subtle diagonal to the face
4 4. Great overall lighting and direction of lighting
5 5. Try to add some more hair on the lower left side
6 6. I would use a white matte for competition with a hairline boarder around it. Use the pale pink from the hat and position it in the upper right quadrant. Great job Pam! How about naming it “Daddy, got your number!” For more detailed information about this image and Bruce’s thoughts, go to the member’s only area!
My experience not only as a print competition winner but also a judge, gives me the knowledge and ability to mentor photographers and prepare them...sometimes I get really lucky!
This is a monthly benefit for all
Silver, Gold, and Platinum Members. In fact, Gold and Platinum Members can even send in prints for Bruce to personally critique, complete with an after action report and correction/cropping marks on their image! Check out our
Monthly Mentor page for more benefits and how to join!
View Archived Critiques