Judging for the NC 4-H Congress Photo Contest is performed by members of the Department of Communication Services in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NC State University. This department is staffed by professionals in the field of communications who are accustomed to creating and/or using photographic images as part of their own work. Below is a listing of the criteria the judges use when choosing the winners of this contest.

Since the judges are asked to review a very large number of photo entries, they are not required to provide written critiques. We received close to two hundred entries in 2008 and just don’t have the staff to individually critique each one. However, we do try to provide a little information in a letter all participants receive that provides a general idea about what the judges liked and why they chose certain winners in a given year.

We hope that the judging criteria provided here will assist participants in understanding what the judges will be looking for in the photos. Likewise, it is expected that individual participants will prepare accordingly through study of photographic styles and techniques in books, magazines and Internet research. One suggested resource is Kodak.com's "Taking Great Pictures" site at: http://www.kodak.com/US/en/nav/takingPics.shtml

While adhering to the rules that are provided in the Contest Rules and Entry Form may be the first step for entry into the contest, there are many other factors that guide the judges in deciding which photos are worthy of ribbons. These criteria include:

  • 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 effect to enhance the image in some artistic way?
  • 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?

Using these guidelines, along with their own knowledge of photography, the judges award ribbons for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place as well as Honorable Mention for each of the three categories in both age divisions.

Categories for the 2009 contest include the following:

  • 4H in Action: We’re looking for pictures that show us what happens at 4H events throughout the year. The key to winning this category is the action. We want to SEE what’s happening. If it’s a judging contest, we want to feel like we’re right in the middle of the action. If it’s meeting with legislators, then we want to feel like we’re so close we could shake that person’s hand. In other words, we want the photographer to get in close and show us what really happens when 4H’ers get together for an event or activity.
  • Nature’s Beauty: Nature’s Beauty is always our biggest category. We had close to 100 entries in 2008 in this category alone, so competition is fierce. Winners in this category are ultimately chosen because they exhibit superior technical skill, move in close to the subject and capture something really different. Some show beautiful things such as sunsets and flowers. Others create beauty from something unexpected (mushrooms, a turtle having a snack, a dragonfly with torn wings.) All contain strong composition, nice light and sharp focus on the subject.
  • 4-H Centennial: Show us any part of an event or activity related to this year’s 4-H Centennial. We’re looking for pictures that show us the excitement of the Centennial activities planned for this year across the state. The winning pictures will be those that make us wish we were there!

Please remember to postmark your entries NO LATER THAN June 9, 2009.

We’re looking forward to another great group of photographs to judge for the 2009 Contest!