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Linda Wisdom reveals the secrets to impressing street art judges
Linda Wisdom reveals the secrets to impressing street art judges
Having experienced both sides of the street photo competition process, both as a contestant and as a judge, I will advise what I look for in your entries. Judges of street photo contests have a unique perspective because we see hundreds of photos. Sometimes the difference between being a finalist in a contest and being rejected comes down to minute differences in content, technique, composition and tone, and sometimes it’s much less subtle.
Bad composition, weak subject selection, a misunderstanding of the rules of composition and a huge array of snapshots often comprise the majority of submissions for a contest.
You may have a personal attachment to an image that has no real special meaning to anyone else. Be aware that your entry needs to be relatable to the judges in some way to grab our attention. If you are entering a street photography contest, make sure to try and make an impact. At best make a lasting impression in some way. It’s often the submissions that elicit a visceral, emotional response that leave a lasting impact. However, ‘standout’ doesn’t have to mean in your face. Sometimes original works are the ones that resonate with the judges.
Originality is important – don’t go for clichés. An image may be simple in its approach; you don’t have to be overly clever with it. Very often the simplest of things that are being expressed are best. A street image might not be very good technically, but what is key is a well-seen moment executed in a thoughtful way – this completely overrides any technical hitches. Vice versa, a technically perfect image may be bereft of any feeling or visual impact.
Sometimes submission requirements are to provide a title. As a rule of thumb, be careful about the title of your work – it can really put viewers off or invite them in. A tip is to simply title your works ‘untitled’ or give just the location and a date as the title. It is often offputting as a judge for the entry to state the obvious. Allowing the viewer to form their own personal narrative can help you get one step ahead.
Finally, keep your editing subtle. Try and avoid colour filters, HDR or spot colouring like the plague – these are a big photo judging turn-off.