CREATIVE ARTS CONTEST

PHOTOGRAPHY - BIG MACHINES

Contest Rules

• Entry must reflect the theme “Big Machines.”

• Photo must be taken by the contestant (contestant must not be in the photo).

• Photo must be submitted online in digital format at time of entry registration no later than 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2023, at spjst.org/showcase

• Files must be in .jpg format, not to exceed 10 MB with no restriction on dimensions (i.e. 8x10, 11x14, 5x7). There is no minimum size requirement; however, the photo must be large enough that it can be clearly evaluated.

• Camera adjustments (exposure, highlights, shadows) are allowed.

• Contestants acknowledge that they have sufficient permission of any recognizable location/people appearing in their photo and can produce a model/property release if requested.

• Photo will be judged and displayed digitally.

Prohibited Entries

• Date, time stamp, or name on photo front.

• Contestant in the photo.

• Formats other than .jpg

• HEIF or HEIC (High Efficiency Image Format/Container) files. How to turn off HEIF: Apple phones - In settings, go to - Camera - Formats, select Most Compatible.

Android phones - Go to gallery - open settingsturn off “Convert HEIF images when sharing.” Then, open camera app - go to settings - turn off “Convert HEIF.”

Judging Criteria

• Entries are judged on composition, exposure, impact, and creativity:

Composition (35 points) - The arrangement of the forms within the photo should be pleasing to the eye. How well did the photographer use the available space within his format? If the rules of thirds are broken, did the result justify that decision?

Exposure (25 points) - The amount of light that enters the camera hitting the camera sensor is called exposure. If not enough light enters the camera and reaches the digital sensor, the image will be too dark or underexposed. If too much light enters the camera and reaches the digital sensor, the image will be too bright or overexposed.

Impact (25 points) - The sense one gets upon viewing an image for the first time is impact. This is best explained by the “I wish I'd taken that picture” reaction. Does the image make the viewer feel happy, sad, angry, proud, or another intense emotion.

Creativity (15 points) - Is the image original, fresh, and an external expression of the imagination of the photographer? Did the photographer convey an idea, message or thought?