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Photo Competitions...a reply
Vicki of Visions by Vicki has written an interesting article with some very good links dealing with photo competitions. Sure, we all enjoy the possibility of winning in these competitions, but it seems that more and more those that are judging have very little clue of what it is they are looking for. I ran into that very thing last year at the Dixie Classic Fair which you might recall I have entered for three years straight. Last year was a terrible experience for me and convinced me not to participate in a contest like this ever again. it just isn't worth it at all.
When I got home after viewing the exhibits I felt I needed to sit down and write a letter to the mayor, the fair director, and the exhibit coordinator. This was last October...I have still not heard anything back from any of them. Apparently they just don't care, and I suspect that this is the case more often than not.
Here is the letter to share some of my observations of one of the largest fairs in the Southeast.
Dear Mr. Sparks,
I am writing in reference to the 2007 Dixie Classic Fair, in particular, the judging of the exhibits. Along with my wife, I have had the opportunity to visit the fair yearly for the past three years to view the exhibits. This has always been a very fun experience for us. I have also taken part in these exhibits in the photography categories and have had a great time being a part of this NC tradition. However, this year has been quite different, and has left both of us very confused and disgusted.
What we saw in the judging has both of us very concerned, as it appears that the awards were handed out with the care and thought of a shotgun blast. I know that judging is a subjective thing, and not everyone will agree on what is the best of the best. Taking opinion out of the issue, there were still some glaring inequities in the judging based on the rules. There were two separate occasions that I recall seeing a Judge’s Choice award given to the recipient of an honorable mention ribbon. It is my understanding that the Judge’s Choice should be given to a first place entry. In another area, the Judge’s Choice ribbon was awarded to an identification sign and was not attached to any of the entries. It was impossible to tell who won that award. One additional example was in the professional cake decorating category where a box top won first place. Where the icing had started to separate near the corners, you could see the unmistakable glossy white of a gift box top. While the decorating was very nice, I think it is unfair to award a first place ribbon to an entry that wasn’t even a cake.
There are areas where I feel that there might be some issues with the judge’s opinions as well. For instance, in the amateur photography category, Favorite NC Scene, the first and second place winner’s entries had nothing to do with North Carolina. One picture was of a girl holding a gourd of some sort, and the other was a painting of a shoreline in the woods. Either of these could represent any area in the US, and showed nothing of NC. There were other entries that were just as good or better that showed specific NC scenes that I feel should have been given consideration over the winners. I also had the opportunity to view the models that the kids had submitted. There was one A-10 that I thought was marvelous that had won nothing at all. Having built models years ago, I know the talent and skill it takes to build to this quality, so I was surprised to see no award or recognition for this piece. There were many drawings and paintings that held to this same pattern. The more I looked the more disgusted I became at who won and who didn’t.
One particular drawing in particular stands out in my mind. It was a composite of several different pictures that were all joined together to make a larger picture. The amount of talent involved to previsualize this and execute it is immeasurable. To me it was the best in its category, but yet didn’t even receive an honorable mention.
Again, I know that judging is subjective, and I don’t know what the judges were looking for, but it really seems that they mostly missed the mark this year. This is not to say that there weren’t some deserving winners. There were two paintings that I thought were wonderful and they had won Judge’s Choice in fine arts…along with the required blue ribbon I might add. What can I say, I own several broken watches, and even they are right twice a day.
I wish I could be pleased at being awarded a ribbon in the professional black & white photography category, but after seeing the travesty that was the judging this year, that ribbon holds no importance to me. In fact, I have no way of knowing if I actually deserve the ribbon or not. Maybe the ribbon just happened to land on my picture by accident. In all good conscience, I can not accept the third place award that has been awarded to me, and would like for the ribbon and prize money to go to the photograph that is next in line behind mine.
I know that judging is not an easy task by any stretch, but I feel that this year they took their duties entirely too lightly. I know that this letter will not change anything, but I really felt I owed it to all those who contributed to the exhibits to voice my opinions. The only thing I can do beyond this is to say that there will be two less people involved in the 2008 Dixie Classic Fair.
I have discussed only a few examples that I have seen this year, but there are quite a few others. If you care to speak to me about this any further, you are welcome to contact me either at home (336)xxx-xxxx, or on my cell (336)681-0220.
Sincerely,
Greg A. Kiser
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i've also seen this in the past and wonder what measure if any was used in making their decisions. your letter was great as it had clarity in detail for many areas of the fair exhibitions. too bad you received no response, but maybe a little more care was taken in selecting judges for this year's fair.
gina -
I remember well how the judging went Greg and agreed with you wholeheartedly. It speaks volumes that they didn't reply to your very relevant comments in your letter. Jeannette xx
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Wow... umm I don't know what to say to that... Good letter, bad subject. Your photography deserves and should receive all the best recognition, no doubts or second guessing. That's for sure... let us know what happens.
Morgan
xxxx
http://journals.aol.com/Sneezy7125/RandomThoughts -
Greg, I didn't go to the Dixie Classic Fair this past year, but am disappointed for you to have been recognized for your photographic talent, which you deserve, in a competition that leaves great doubt as to the integrity of the event. It's embarassing for you as a professional, but you did the right thing to bring it to the attention of the proper officials... perhaps there will be more careful consideration for who the judges are, and their criteria for judging. It's a shame that it happened. Let's hope so. Great letter, Greg. bea
http://journals.aol.com/bgilmore725/Wanderer/
7/4/08 8:36 PM