FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

This is a collection of questions, recommendations and observations gathered over the years. We hope they may be of use to you as well.

HOW TO MOUNT AND IDENTIFY MY PRINT
(ADULT AND YOUTH AGE GROUPS)

• All photographs must be a minimum size of 8" x 10" and a maximum size of 12" x 16".
  
  
• Photographs must be mounted only on white foam core with a 2" border. Maximum display area per image is 16" x 20". Bristol board, card stock or matt board is not permitted.
  
  
• No identifying markings of any kind are permitted on the front of the image or mounting. Mats are not permitted.
  
  
• Prints must be securely adhered with no staples or exposed tape/glue on front or back of image or mounting material.
  
  
• The following items must be clearly indicated in pen or printed label on the reverse, bottom left corner of each foam core mount; 1: Category 2: Short title of image 3: "top" of image, indicated with arrow 4: Name, address and telephone number of photographer 5: Value of image for sale or indicate NFS (not for sale).

Here is a sample of an identification label:

HOW TO MOUNT AND IDENTIFY MY PRINT
(CHILDREN AGE GROUPS)

• All photographs must be 4" x 6"
  
  
• Photographs may not be mounted
  
  
• The following items must be clearly indicated in pen on the reverse, bottom left corner of each photo; 1: Short title of image 2: "top" of image, indicated with arrow 3: Name, address and telephone number of photographer 4: Age of photographer
  
  

WHAT ARE THE ADULT CATEGORIES?

Adults can enter up to four images per category with a maximum of twelve images. Images can be either colour or monochrome.

• People: This category is for humans. Images depicting people such as statuary, figurines, etc. would be better suited in the Objects category.
  
  
• Creatures & Critters: This category is inclusive of all non-human living beings; such as animals, and insects. Images depicting creatures and critters such as statuary, figurines, etc. would be better suited in the Objects category.
  
  
• Flowers & Foliage: This category includes both domestic and non-domestic plants showing flowers, leaves, vines, etc. Images depicting a wider view may be better suited in the Scenery category.
  
  
• Objects and Abstracts: category includes the depiction of non natural things for objects. Abstract are images captured through the lens from an unusual angle or with fish-eye lens or using extreme close-ups or lens distortion.
  
  
• Scenery category includes landscapes and cityscapes.
  
  
• Architecture category includes complete or partial depiction of buildings. Close-up images of architecture detail such as relief engraving would be better suited in the Objects category.
  
  
• Creative images, for the purposes of this competition, are images that reflect an "altered reality". The image must begin as the maker’s photograph of a real subject, whether captured digitally or scanned from a negative or slide. However in this competition you are encouraged to exercise your imagination and stray as far from that real subject as you like, using design elements, colour and light in nontraditional ways to produce abstract, impressionistic and experimental effects not achievable by standard photographic means. You may do this with in-camera techniques and/or also by manipulating your images afterwards using digital postprocessing software. Artwork and computer graphics created by the member can be incorporated as long as the photographic content predominates. Merely using these techniques is not enough, however; they must (be) used artfully to produce an effective image. Therefore creative photography has these elements : new composition, altered reality, and emphasized alteration. Examples of creative techniques include: panning, zooming, lens distortion, special effects filters, montages, collages, ortons, multiple exposures, posterization, diffraction, "black light", bas relief and unusual/unrealistic colorization.

  Examples that would not be acceptable in this competition are: images that are merely black-and-white, infrared, or sepia, or images merely captured from an unusual angle or with a fisheye lens, unless something more has been done to the image to exaggerate the effect or combine it with other effects.

WHAT ARE THE YOUTH CATEGORIES?

Youth can enter up to six images per category with a maximum of six images. Images can be either colour or monochrome.

• People: This category is for humans. Images depicting people such as statuary, figurines, etc. would be better suited in the Objects category.
  
  
• Open: This is an open category where any image is allowed (also creative) but not one that would be considered as "people"

WHAT ARE THE CHILDREN CATEGORIES?

Children can enter up to three images.

Both children groups have a single. open, category where any type of image can be entered.

HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS

Here are some observations from John Green who helped to judge the 2009 PhotoArt. These comments were taken from his blog (http://www.johngreen.ca) with permission:

• Watch for mergers with the borders with your image and eliminate them if they lead your eye out of the frame.
  
  
• Try to tell a story. A pretty picture is just that.
  
  
• Don’t center the main subject unless you are going for symmetry. Try using the rule of thirds or the golden mean for your standard shots.
  
  
• Watch the background. Its just as important as the foreground subject. Look for and reduce distractions.
  
  
• There usually must be something sharp in the image for the eye to focus on.
  
  
• Eyes should have catch lights and not be ‘black holes.’
  
  
• Avoid a crooked horizon, unless decisively done.
  
  
• Crop out distractions along the edges, if possible.
  
  
• Do not crop too tightly, or be decisive enough.
  
  
• Aim for natural looking use of flash.
  
  
• Reduce harsh shadows with fill light.
  
  
• Try flipping images on the horizontal to see if they look better with the negative space on the right.
  
  
• Simplify the image content.
  
  
• When mounting your images on foam core, get them straight.