! Affiliate of the Professional Photographers of America ! Governor ~ Barbi Barnum, CPP
Virginia Professional Photographers Association
NORTHERN DISTRICT
~ January
Lt. Governor ~ Andrew Clark Secretary ~ Deborah Schmitz Treasurer / Newsletter ~ Jim Sanders, CPP, FP
“Appreciate your friends and supporters. Without their help and advice, most artists would never survive. Take a minute to appreciate that resource.” Larry Lourcey M.Phtog.Cr., CPP
Monday, January 18th in Culpeper Studio C Photography 142 N. Main Street
Northern District Competition Preparation class Want to up your game with competition? Plan to participate with your fellow photographers as we all continue our journey toward excellence in photography. Bring your competition consideration files. Jim Carpenter, Liz Vance, and Don Aittama will be providing their expertise to help bring our competition considerations to their best presentation. INFORMATION and ANSWERS ~ BE A PART OF THE EXPERIENCE!
12:00…
We will begin the day with lunch at the Copper Fish (a part of It’s About Thyme) 128 East Davis Street.
1:30…
The afternoon begins for all things competition. We are meeting at Tim and Johncie Carlson’s studio at 142 N. Main Street. Park only once. The Copper Fish and Studio C Photography are just a short walk from one another. 2
Important Dates January 10, 11, 12… Imaging USA - Atlanta
January 11 - February 10… SEPPA competition entry period January 18… Northern District Print Competition Class - Culpeper February 19-20… SEPPA regional print judging (judging is being held at the VPPA convention this year) Everyone is invited to attend.
February 19-23… VPPA Convention - Williamsburg
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Substance and Style: Develop Both For A Competitive Edge From the Words of Tim Walden — “We need to welcome all styles and creative techniques… but only reward them when they sit on top of substantive, quality imagery. What forms a substantive image like that? Look to the 12 elements of a merit image (of which Walden prizes impact). “Yes, every good image should have initial impact when you first see it. But after you study the image and consider the other elements, does it still have impact?” offers Walden, explaining what Gerhard Bakker taught him long ago. “All the artistic elements “Yes, every good image should have combine to support whether or not the impact initial impact when you first see it.” lasts. That’s what makes a truly great image.”
“Competition is like exercise. You don’t jog to jog; you jog to get healthier and stronger.”
Can you say your images have that kind of substance? It’s easy to get complacent and think your clients won’t notice small imperfections. That’s exactly why Walden emphasizes the need to compete (for himself as well).
“Competition is like exercise. You don’t jog to jog; you jog to get healthier and stronger. You compete to exercise your skills and accomplish more things for clients,” he says. “Competition forces you to push harder than you might normally, and it can bring you to great things.”
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The 12 Elements of a Competition Print Any image, art piece, or photograph will reveal some measure of all twelve elements, while a superior example will reveal obvious consideration of each one. The twelve elements listed below are in accordance to their importance. Impact is the sense one gets upon viewing an image for the first time. Compelling images evoke laughter, sadness, anger, pride, wonder or another intense emotion. Creativity is the original, fresh, and external expression of the imagination of the maker by using the medium to convey an edea, message or thought. Technical Excellence is the print quality of the image itself as it is presented for viewing. Retouching, manipulation, sharpness, exposure, printing, mounting, and correct color are some items that speak to the qualities of the physical print. Composition is important to the design of an image bringing all of the visual elements together in concert to express the purpose of the image. Proper composition holds the viewer in the image and prompts the viewer to look where the creator intends. Effective composition can be pleasing or disturbing, depending on the intent of the maker. Lighting—the use and control of light—refers to how dimension, shape, and roundness are defined in an image. Whether the light applied to an image is manmade or natural, roper use of it should enhance an image. Style is defined in a number of ways as it applies to a creative image. It might be defined by a specific genre or simply be recognizable as the characteristics of how a specific artist applies light to a subject. If can impact an image in a positive manner when the subject matter and the style are appropriate for each other, or it can have a negative effect when they are at odds. Print Presentation affects an image by giving it a finished look. The mats and borders used should support and enhance the image not distract from it. Center of Interest is the point or points on the image where the maker wants the viewer to stop as they view the image. There can be primary and secondary centers of interest. Occasionally there will be no specific center of interest, when the entire scene collectively serves as the center of interest. Subject Matter should always be appropriate to the story being told in an image. Color Balance supplies harmony to an image. An image in which the tones work together, effectively supporting the image, can enhance its emotional appeal. Color balance is not always harmonious and can be used to evoke feelings for effect. Technique is the approach used to create the image. Printing, lighting, posing, capture, presentation media, and more are part of the technique applied to an image. Story Telling refers to the image’s ability to evoke imagination. One beautiful thing about art is that each viewer might collect his own message or read her own story in an image.
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Larry Lourcey provides amazing information for photographers in his blog writings. lourceyphoto.com Be Observant – always be on the lookout for inspiration all around us. There is a lot of material that we come across every day that we just don’t take the time to notice. Take Time To Refill your “creative pantry.” Sometimes you need to step away and allow your creative batteries to recharge. Expose yourself to great art and allow it to inspire you. Be Persistent – Set a goal and go for it. Don’t give up and don’t wait around for inspiration. Artist Chuck Close once said, “Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work.” Appreciate your friends and supporters. Without their help and advice, most artists would never survive. Take a minute to appreciate that resource.
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Studio C Photography — 142 N. Main Street, Culpeper Thanks to Tim & Johncie Carlson for hosting.
Studio C
Thyme Market Copper Fish
Main Street
to Route 29 South
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