Judging pictures

blansky said:

Personally I find clubs like this a meeting place for losers and political types anyways.

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Seems a little harsh. What about people who truly love competition? There are photographers in my club that live for the award. And if that is what they want, great. I don't hear them complaining about those of us that don't follow "the rules", and believe me I've heard my share of critics. Just look at my critic gallery.
If you don't like the way a club runs itself then leave. Start one that works the way you like. Calling them losers just tells me more about you then it does about them.

OTOH our club has gone to judges outside the realm of camera clubs, including painter, architect, photojournalist and other professions that pertain to the subject that month.

In the end it doesn't matter what others think, if it makes you happy. Unless of course you make your living selling photography, then you have to accept the hardest judges of all, and like.

jdef said:

I don't understand competitive photography.

Jay

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I'm with you on this one. A little rivalry at getting the best position for the shot when there's more than one photographer after it is fun. But competing on the finished picture is impossible, look at all the different comments on each print in the galleries.

arigram said:

Just don't take it too seriously.
No judge is neutral, everyone judges by their own preferences, knowledge and philosophy. Everyone. From the common snapshooter to the great artist or curator.
Just remember that is their opinion and only matters if it matters to you.
I rarely ask people to judge my photos unless I know and respect them.

In any way, don't let it influence you in a negative way.
If you don't succed don't let it stop or discourage you.
If you do succed don't let it get over your head and think "you are it".
An artist should be a judge of himself/herself and an honest one.
Underestimating or overestimating yourself can destroy you.

I guess it comes back to the old greek philosophy of "know thyself" and I would add "don't let the bastards get you down" from a t-shirt that I wore as a teenager.

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I agree wholeheartedly, I recently took part in a show, which a good and well respected photographer friend of mine said "wow i think you might win something." Just that one line from him gave me all the satisfaction i needed, regardless to the fact that I did not win (the judge awarded all contemporary styles of art, nothing traditional) not winning did not bug me, a respected friend regarded my work highly and that was all i needed.