So my family and I went to the Orange County Fair yesterday evening. For many years I promised myself I would one day enter some photographs into the competition - and this was my first year. I entered three photographs - one of the San Clemente Pier at sunset, one of the World War II monument in Washington DC, and one of Manhattan after sunset as seen from Brooklyn.
I didn't win anything, but I wasn't terribly surprised. It is my first year, and I just wanted to get the feel of entering into the contest. I was, however, hoping to get a little bit of exposure and perhaps make a sale. I entered the Professional division because you are allowed to sell your prints. I also consider myself a professional, and it would be silly to enter the amature division and then want people to hire you or buy your stuff.
The good news is this is a juried competition, and if your material isn't any good at all, they won't accept it. So at least I know I have a certain level of quality to get in. Some of the winners I saw yesterday I could understand why they won awards. Others, I wasn't so sure about. Perhaps the judges see things that I can't? I do think that my images could have used some more pop to make them really stand out, and thanks to a book I picked up by Scott Kelby I have discovered some techniques to do just that.
While I was at the fair I also took some new pictures. I focused primarily on the Zipper contraption, which I found interesting because of a photo Scott Kelby did on the cover of the book I bought from him (imitation is the most sincere form of flattery). The image I captured isn't as strong as his, but if I can make it look somewhat similar to what he did, I'll be pleased. I also got some shots of the ferris wheel. Usually I wait until dark and do long exposures, but I thought I would try doing some daytime things just to be different for me. I also saw some interesting things that make me want to go back and try getting pictures of when I have some more light to work with. We'll see what happens.
Entering the fair was a good experience and met one of my personal goals. Next year I'll be back, and this time I'm shooting for a ribbon.
I didn't win anything, but I wasn't terribly surprised. It is my first year, and I just wanted to get the feel of entering into the contest. I was, however, hoping to get a little bit of exposure and perhaps make a sale. I entered the Professional division because you are allowed to sell your prints. I also consider myself a professional, and it would be silly to enter the amature division and then want people to hire you or buy your stuff.
The good news is this is a juried competition, and if your material isn't any good at all, they won't accept it. So at least I know I have a certain level of quality to get in. Some of the winners I saw yesterday I could understand why they won awards. Others, I wasn't so sure about. Perhaps the judges see things that I can't? I do think that my images could have used some more pop to make them really stand out, and thanks to a book I picked up by Scott Kelby I have discovered some techniques to do just that.
While I was at the fair I also took some new pictures. I focused primarily on the Zipper contraption, which I found interesting because of a photo Scott Kelby did on the cover of the book I bought from him (imitation is the most sincere form of flattery). The image I captured isn't as strong as his, but if I can make it look somewhat similar to what he did, I'll be pleased. I also got some shots of the ferris wheel. Usually I wait until dark and do long exposures, but I thought I would try doing some daytime things just to be different for me. I also saw some interesting things that make me want to go back and try getting pictures of when I have some more light to work with. We'll see what happens.
Entering the fair was a good experience and met one of my personal goals. Next year I'll be back, and this time I'm shooting for a ribbon.
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