FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND HELPFUL HINTS ABOUT ENTERING

THE 2008 POWER OF PHOTOGRAPY SHOW 

Question:  I have photos that I think can be juried into the show, but I don’t think they will beat all the

      other photos in their categories to win first place ribbons.  Am I just wasting my time and money?

Answer:  Good news!  Your photo will be given a custom corner ribbon for making the show if it is

      juried into the display for Wright Street.  We are also giving not only ribbons for 2^nd and 3^rd places

      in categories but also cash awards, too. 

       But, don’t sell yourself short.  We have over 20 special awards, most of which are judged selectively, not on points.  Each year many photos which win these lucrative awards did not score highly in their category competition.  If your photo gets juried in, it may win something.   

      All juried-in contestants will also be included in drawings for door prizes given out on July 13.  The value of your time can only be determined by you.  The entry fee is never wasted, since the show organizers will see that it helps ARC Gateway serve disabled children and adults. 

Question:  I have a photo that I took on vacation that I really like, but I’m not sure it will enlarge well

      enough as an 8”x10”.  It looks a little blurry. Can’t I enter it as a 5”x7” photo instead?

Answer:  Our rules specifically tell you that the photo image must be at least the equivalent of an 8x10

      photo.  We want our judges to see your photo clearly.  If it isn’t going to enlarge very well for an

8x10, perhaps you should not enter that photo, no matter how much you like it. 

Question:  I have photos I entered in this show last year that were not juried into the show.  May I enter

      any of those photos again this year in POP?

Answer:  Our rules say that the photos entered must not have been “shown at a Wide Angle Photo Club

      show.”  If your photo was not juried into the show and displayed at the Wright Place last year, you

      have the right to enter it again as a qualifying photo this year.  We may have different jurors this

      year and certainly most of the competing photos will be different.  Good luck this time! 

Question:  I am 15 years old now but will turn 16 on July 1.  Can I still enter photos in the

      show’s Youth category?

Answer:  Youth photographers must be under age 16 on the date they enter the contest— at check-in. 

      You will still qualify for Youth.  Please note that Youth photographers may choose to compete

      only against other youth (under age 16) in Youth or enter their photos in the other categories to

      compete against the adults.  You are lucky to have the versatility of all ten categories.   

Question:  I really like to take pictures of flowers.  Do I stand a chance at winning anything?

Answer:  Many of us like to take floral photos.  You can certainly enter as many of them as you wish. 

      However, remember that you are then having your photos compete against each other in the

      same category.  Why don’t you diversify your entries so you can enter photos in several

      categories?  Then you will have more chances of getting your work juried in and winning

      something.  You’ll also grow as a photographer by exploring new photo topics. 

Question;  Why is this called a juried show?  I’m not sure I know what that term means.

Answer:  Juried means that there is a limit on the number of photos that can be displayed.  A team of

      impartial jurors look at all the entries and decide which ones make the show.  Our show is limited

      to 300 photos submitted by adults.  By jurying the entries before the formal judging, we insure

that the public sees the highest quality photos in the show.  It is, of course, a subjective process, but it is a common practice in art shows. We wish we could show all entries, but we just can’t. 

Question:  What do you mean when you say a photo must be mounted or have a backing board?

Answer:  Photos need to be attached on the back or mounted to a firm surface usually larger than the

      photo image.  Most contestants attach their photos to mat board or foam core board.  This gives

      your photo some rigidity and a place for you and us to attach things, especially for hanging it. 

Question:  Why does my photo have to be matted?  Why can’t I just leave it in the frame it is already in?

Answer:  A mat gives a photo a finished edge and improves its appearance.  We don’t allow frames

      because they just add weight to the entries and make entering more expensive for contestants. 

      We don’t want to lug your frames around or take a chance on scratching them.  You don’t want

      us to stick labels or ribbons to your photo surface.  Therefore, the mat serves several purposes. 

Question:  Do I need to have my mat custom cut by an art framer?  Can’t I just buy a ready-made mat or

      digitally print a border-type mat by computer around my photo before it is mounted?

FAQ, CONTINUED 

Answer:  Custom mat cutting is needed only if you have a nonstandard image shape to mat or want to

      spend money on custom matting.  It will not get you a higher category score on your photo but

      can enhance the appearance of the presentation for subjective judging for premium awards.

      Many entries do quite well with ready-made mats.  These can be purchased from an art supply store or online dealer.  You are also welcome to create a digital mat if you print your own photos.  However, keep in mind that we must attach your entry to our racks with clips that we place at the top corners.  These clips will usually make dents on the edge.   A cut mat board mat placed over the edges of your photo can protect the photo print itself, but a digital border on the print can’t do that.  It is your choice. 

Question:  Why does a label with my name and contact info have to be on the back of the photo entry?

Answer:  We want to know whose photo it is in case we need to reach you or if an identifying label we

      place on your photo accidentally comes off.   

Question:  Can I offer my photo for sale during the show?

Answer:  Yes.  On the entry form is a photo tag with a place where you can mark a price or mark it NFS. 

      If it sells during POP, you must agree to give 30% commission as a donation to ARC Gateway. 

Question:  My name is already on the front of my photo (or on the mat).  Why can’t it show during the

      contest and what do I do about it?

Answer:  Our contest entries are all judged anonymously.  The judges then can be totally impartial and

      unaffected by who took the photo. It also allows contestants to enter the show with total

      confidence that all art is treated equally.  If your name or any identification shows on the front,

      you must recreate the photo entry or mat without the name showing.  Once the show opens to the

      public, you can reveal your name or place your card on the photo corner. 

Question:  Has a photo ever been hung upside down?

Answer:  Unfortunately, yes.  Sometimes it is hard to tell in some photos, such as florals or abstract art,

      which way is “up.”  To avoid this from happening to your photo, please mark on the back of your

      entry an arrow pointing Up or the word “top” if there is any possibility of mistaking the orientation

      on your photo.  That’s why we have created labels for you to put on the back top of your entry. 

Question:  I can’t return between 4-6 p.m. to pick up my photo entries on July 13.  Am I out of luck for

      entering the 2008 POP contest?

Answer:  No, you can still enter.  The day you check in the photos, you will receive a sheet of

      instructions and reminders.  At the bottom is the claim form for pick up on July 13.  If you wish to

      fill out, sign, and give that form to a trusted friend or family member to claim your entries for you,

      you may do so.  Make sure you give him a list of the photos you entered (even those which are

not juried into the show if you don’t pick them up on July 11) so he knows what he is supposed to get.  He and all contestants must pass by the check-out table on July 13 before leaving with artwork.  NOTE:  Photos not claimed by 6 p.m. are no longer POP’s responsibility. 

Question:  Do you separate professional photographers from amateurs in the POP show?

Answer:  No.  The definition of a professional is so arbitrary.  Some advanced amateurs can produce

      photos that are as good as pro work.  Pro photographers are welcome but usually don’t enter

      amateur shows like POP.  They earn points for pro rankings for competing in pro shows only. 

Question:  Can I enter a tastefully photographed nude?

Answer:  No, you may not.  Our POP show site is a church facility; we request only family friendly entries. 

Question:  Can I enter my friend’s or spouse’s photography in POP?

Answer:  No, only the photographer who took the photo may enter it. 

Question:  Are members of the Wide Angle Photo Club given special privileges during the show or have a

      more likely chance of winning than nonmembers?

Answer:  No, unless you call the privilege of working for nothing for several months a bonus.  Our only

advantage during the POP show is that only WAPC members can compete for and vote on the Members Only and New Member awards.  All other awards are available equally for all entries. 

IF YOU HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS, CONTACT POP THROUGH THE WEBSITE EMAIL ADDRESS.

POP CATEGORIES, PREMIUM AWARDS, AND JUDGING CRITERIA – FAQ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Question:  What do you mean about entering “categories” and how do I decide?

Answer:  All photos must be classified by the photographer as competing for points in one of the following categories or classifications against other photos with similar subject matter.  The photo may be color, black and white, or computer manipulated but still with reasonably recognizable subject matter.  Whatever object is featured most prominently in the photo should be considered its subject matter. 

      Animals/Pets/Wildlife – A photo (candid, action, natural, or posed) of a wild, captive, farm, or domestic animal, reptile, amphibian, or fish.

      Architecture – A photo of a man-made structure (close-up, scenic, landmark, urban landscape, machine, technical detail, etc.) and not limited to buildings.

      Birds & Insects – A photo (candid, action, natural, or posed) of all or part of a bird or insect, wild or domestic.  Worms, spiders, and caterpillars could be considered acceptable in this category.

      Flowers/Plants/Trees – A photo of all or a recognizable part of a plant, flower, or tree.  Moss, lichen, types of mushroom, pine cones and leaves might be acceptable, depending on the photo. (If in doubt, enter photo in Nature, not this category.)

      Nature – A photo (from close-up to wide angle) of something is naturally produced or cultivated or photos of environmental features that don’t fit easily in any category above.  Example of nature items might be rocks, pine cones, waterfalls, weather, driftwood, rainbows, shells, nuts, toadstools, fish, spider webs, waves and tide pools, clouds, sun rays, crops, nests, etc.

      Places – A photo (scenic, urban setting, wide-angle, indoor, or outdoors) in which the place is featured.  People, events, or machines may be included in the photo.  For example, a vacant church altar, traffic on a bridge, towering redwood forest, classroom of children, Mardi Gras parade corner, country meadow, foggy bayou, or a busy market place could all suitable place photos.

      Portrait – A photo (close-up, full face, partial or full length), usually but not always posed, that prominently features one or more person(s) of any age or a pet in a studio or environmental setting.

      Open/Art/Abstract – A photo that is obviously manipulated, abstracted, or altered would fit here.  Also any photo that is graphic art, displays nonliving objects, is nonrepresentational, is a created or naturally formed still life, or doesn’t seem to fit any other category should be entered here.

      Sports/Action/Photojournalism – A photo that tells a story, has a message, or shows movement or stopped action should be entered here.  Candid people photos could be in this category.

      Youth – Only photos taken and entered by photographers under age 16 on the date of the contest check-in may be entered in this category.  The youth photos can have any subject matter and compete in this category with photos taken by other youth.  Youth may choose to enter any of the other categories above but will be expected to compete against adults in juried competition. 

Question:  How do the judges score the photos in the categories?

Answer:  Each photo they choose for scoring will have a score slip like the following completed by each of three judges.  The scores are entered into a computer data base and the photos with the most points win. 

POP SHOW ENTRY # ____________   

Judging Criteria – (Circle 1 in each column)

-- Technical Quality       1    2    3    4    5

-- Composition      1    2    3    4    5

-- Impact  1    2    3    4    5

-- Originality  1    2    3    4    5

-- Artistic Appeal 1    2    3    4    5 

TOTAL POINTS AWARDED ____________ 

Judge’s Comments:  

Question:  If my photo is only entered into one of the categories listed above, what are the premium awards and how do I win one?

Answer:  After all categories are scored anonymously for points (highest points wins), judges look at all photos for the special or premium awards.  A photo can win more than one award.  Premium awards are usually more valuable, have nicer ribbons, and are awarded subjectively.  Most premium sponsors award only one prize, not a second or third place prize.  A still life photo of blueberries in a basket, for example, could win first in the Open category, the premium for best food photo, and best macro photo, too.