Judging for the Dr Kim Ingold NC 4-H Photography Contest will be performed by qualified photographers who are accustomed to creating and/or using photographic images as part of their own work.

Criteria

Information the judges use when choosing the winners of this contest.

Relevancy to Category Topic – Is the photo an obvious illustration of the category in which it is entered? If the picture doesn’t tell us, does the information on the entry form make it clear how the subject fits the category?

Composition/Arrangement – Are the objects in the photo arranged in a meaningful, pleasing manner or are they haphazard? Did the photographer use the best angle or otherwise interesting perspective?

Focus / Sharpness – Is the object of the photo in focus? If not in sharp focus, does it appear to be an intentional special effect to enhance the image artistically?

Lighting – Did the photographer use proper lighting of the subject matter? Do any extremes of darkness or brightness lend to or detract from the image content?

Creativity – Does the photographer show some creative thought or original idea in the making of this image? Is the subject something unusual or is the content of the photo presented in a way we haven’t seen before?

Categories for the 2024 contest

4-H in Action:

Capture the vibrant atmosphere of 4-H events with close-up shots that immerse viewers in the action and include the official 4-H Clover in your picture. Whether it’s the intensity of a livestock show, the interaction with commissioners and legislators, or 4-H’ers just having FUN, aim to portray the genuine moments and expressions of your subject(s). Get up close and capture the 4-H’ers face and their expressions. Make sure to include the iconic 4-H clover in your composition to highlight the organization’s presence. Through your lens, offer judges a firsthand glimpse into the dynamic world of 4-H activities and the impact these activities have on 4-H.

Nature’s Beauty:

Capture the essence of beauty in nature through your lens by exploring habitats, landscapes, the sky, land, water, and the fascinating inhabitants of our planet. Whether you capture a breathtaking sunset, vibrant flowers, a lightning storm, or animals in the wild, strive to showcase the beauty and wonder of nature in your photograph. Pay attention to strong composition, beautiful lighting, and sharp focus to bring out the best in your subject. When photographing animals, capture the shot in their environment, make sure to Zoom in ensuring the subject is sharply in focus to create a captivating image.

Special Effects:

Special effect photography involves the practice of using a variety of methods, tools, and edits to create unique and often imaginative visual effects in photographs.

• Create photographs with unique effects by capturing images that feature distorted reflections from convex or concave surfaces
• Generate a multiple exposure where a single subject repeats itself multiple times within a single frame.
• Practice taking a photo where everything is blurred except a focal point by attaching the camera to a moving object.
• Digitally manipulate one of your photographs on the computer, incorporating colors, lights, or distortions to create unique special effects.\
• Enhance photographs from using basic adjustments like color tweaks and filters to using more intricate approaches such as multiple exposures, extended exposures, light painting, and digital editing.
• Transform your original image appearance beyond conventional photography and create a visually impactful and artistically compelling result.

Create photographs that have special effects either by snapping a photograph of a convex or concave reflection distorting the image or positioning the subject to look as if a tree branch is growing out of their ear. Create a Multiple Exposure of a single subject by repeating itself several times in one frame. Take a photograph where everything is blurred except a focal point by attaching the camera to a moving object or create an image of your friend holding up a building with the palm of their hand with placement of the subject and location of camera. Play with digitally enhancing a photograph by adding colors, lights, or distortions to the original picture to create special effects. Have FUN with this category! We look forward to seeing your entries!

Resources for you to take the perfect picture:  

• Time to research how to take the best picture possible.
• Practice, Practice, and Practice some more by taking 100’s of pictures to capture that 1 amazing shot.
• Basic Photography – 4-H Spark Video
• 4-H Photography Curriculum

Please remember entries must be submitted electronically by your 4-H Agent/PA  NO LATER THAN August 17, 2023. 

4-H Professionals, Click HERE to submit entries.

The judges are looking forward to seeing your hard work as you capture inspiring photographs for this year’s Contest! All the BEST!

Please contact Peggie Lewis Joyce with questions or concerns.