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Competition strategy
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I’m going to start to sound like I’m competition crazy :shock: So Monday night is the big night in the camera club.. it’s the first night where submissions are to be made for the competition. So I want to tap into all you camera club pros again. Do you have a strategy for when and how you submit shots? Or do you just submit your best photos each time? My thinking is this..
I’m allowed enter 2 monochrome and two in colour. Lets take the monochrome section for the moment. If I enter what I consider are my two best shots, wont they be competing against each other as well as everyone else? Where both images might be competition winners in their own right, if they’re entered together, only one can win. So am I better off entering a “strong” one with a “weaker” one or do I just go with two stronger ones? Also, at the start of the season I’m guessing there will be a lot more entries than later on in the year, so are you better off holding back your strongest shots for later on when there wont be as many entries, or do you go in all guns blazing and see if you can compete and win against a lot more entries? Or should I just stop obsessing :)
:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: a strategy ???
Sh*t….. :!: :!:
Lorraine
I’m laughing!!! Alot!! Sh*t is right Lorraine!
And I’m no help to ya at all…..I was a bit apprehensive when I heard that the whole camera club scene is strongly focused around comps. But now I’m doing another course that clashes with the camera club, so it’ll be later this year or even next year before I get to join. Prob just as well considering my lack of photo taking of late. :( So….when you formulate a successful strategy please do let us know! Enjoy the club!!! :wink:ciaran wrote:
Or should I just stop obsessing :)
We’ve already discussed this ;) Stop obsessing .. but i do reckon it’s a good idea not to put your best two of any
category forward :).It depends somewhat on the sccing system used by the club. I recall when I was at Cebridge Camera club the advice was always not to enter two images that could potentially compete against each other for points. But that was a long time ago and clubs sometimes change their scoring system. Best thing would be to talk to the competition secretary
The only other advice I can offer is to shoot for the competition whenever possible. Try and avoid going through your archives to pull out something suitable. Although I’m guilty of using archive material myself, my best results have always been with fresh material.
Ciaran,
take this as a sport competition. Clubs and countries always put their own strongest to any competition.
If you put your strongest ones, can end up with the first two position!Thorsten wrote:
It depends somewhat on the sccing system used by the club. I recall when I was at Cebridge Camera club the advice was always not to enter two images that could potentially compete against each other for points. But that was a long time ago and clubs sometimes change their scoring system. Best thing would be to talk to the competition secretary
The only other advice I can offer is to shoot for the competition whenever possible. Try and avoid going through your archives to pull out something suitable. Although I’m guilty of using archive material myself, my best results have always been with fresh material.
I’ve been put in the advanced category, so that means the theme for each competition is actually open. I’m not sure how you’d actually shoot specifically for a competition? It seems that most members of the club get most of their material throughout the summer and in the same way I only plan to draw from images taken this year – thats not cheating is it :) ? Scoring wise, I don’t think the club has changed since your days Thorsten, so logically it does make sense not to enter two competing images. Or does it :?:
Hmmm :?
Roberto wrote:
Ciaran,
take this as a sport competition. Clubs and countries always put their own strongest to any competition.
If you put your strongest ones, can end up with the first two position!I suppose it depends what ones objective is. If the objective is to win just this round then put forward both images. However, if the objective is to win the title of Club Photographer of the Year, then putting in two strong images may work against you in the longer term. Like I said it depends on the scoring system. Usually, only the points from your highest scoring image from a particular round count towards the end result. So if you get 1st place and 2nd place in that round, you are effectively throwing away points.
ciaran wrote:
I’ve been put in the advanced category, so that means the theme for each competition is actually open.
That didn’t take you long! Seems like the grading sommittee have gotten their act together!
ciaran wrote:
I’m not sure how you’d actually shoot specifically for a competition? It seems that most members of the club get most of their material throughout the summer and in the same way I only plan to draw from images taken this year – thats not cheating is it :) ?
Nope, it’s not cheating at all! And if the theme is open, then shooting specifically for the competition is a moot point, unless of course, you’re really keen on winning in which case you will try and find out who the judge is and shoot something that will clearly appeal to them. However, more often than not, the judge isn’t decided on until later so there may not be the time to do this.
ciaran wrote:
Scoring wise, I don’t think the club has changed since your days Thorsten, so logically it does make sense not to enter two competing images. Or does it :?:
Hmmm :?
Yup, I think it’s probably best to avoid two competing images. But my logic may be completely wrong, so let’s see what others say.
It?s an interesting thread.
While I certainly can?t claim to be an expert on photography, I do get a lot of enjoyment from it. Getting the odd shot I really like can be tremendously personally rewarding (and equally frustrating when I?m not, lol). Naturally I also hope others might enjoy these pictures. So I?m always happy to discuss the merits or otherwise of any shot I take ? good or bad. In fact, I derive particular enjoyment in doing so. Having someone else point out the weak points can be very enlightening and I believe a great way to improve.
Of course, I won?t always agree with others? views. Photography is a very personal thing. Much of the value of a particular photograph may be closely linked to personal memories. Maybe the same could be said about music. I won?t like the same as everyone else, and wouldn?t expect to force anyone to like something just because it appeals to me.
This is the joy of being an amateur.
Competitions, however, introduce a another dimension and I?m not sure I can entirely agree with it. The argument that one picture is better than another is, in most cases, extremely subjective. How do you define better? Or more meaningful? These things depend almost entirely on the individual judging the competition, and will vary widely from judge to judge.
Although I?m a member of a camera club in Belfast, to date I haven?t really taken part in their competitions. And, in spite of the ?competition culture? that undoubtedly exists in many clubs as mentioned earlier, I still encourage anyone interested in photography to join a club ? don?t let the competitions bit put you off. There are usually lots of other good things to do too ? talks, studio nights, help and advice.
All well worth joining for!
a startegy..yes, there is a strategy some experienced club members think, especially a winner members. I’m a member of one of camera clubs myself for 3 years. Not experienced but did some observation. The rule is “to please” the judge. Yes! As simple as that. Of course you can not predict exactly what they like and rather think they all different (judges). I was surprised myself when noted whatever their difference is it end ups the same. The judges tend to pick a certain type of images (especially regarding subject matter). And what happens – the same person might win monthly, annual competitions by submitting the same type of pictures (sometimes I hardly can see the difference). Note submit as many picts as possible (regardless if they are good or bad). You might be lucky. Believe me or not. You just gotta know what is that type of photography judges admire. It works perfectly, became very predictable..unless somebody else comes and breaks it. That somebody can be just a new member who doesn’t care much and don’t know anything about “strategies”. It can be quite “painful” for the multiple winner though. This is a one strategy of winning competition.
Another strategy in which I personally believe. Don’t put any weak images in competitions – only your best. Well, again the judge might not see it sometimes, but there is always something they’ll pick from your entries – if not 3 of 3, but 2 of 3 or 1 of 3. Be persistent in submitting quality (in all meanings) images whatever subject matter is. Persistency is a sign of a good photographer (we all have a weak sides though). Finally, in most cases a good photograph will be choosen. Judge can pick it despite one’s personal preferences and judgements.
Be yourself and don’t try to “please” ..if you are worthy you’ll be a winner. Well, there might be some exceptions – to be persistant doesn’t mean to be lucky and wise versa. But anyway you are more likely to win when you persistent, different, risky. And you’ll enjoy it too, with no regret.Obsession..well, it’s normal for competition, ambition and desire to win – this is what is competition about. I don’t believe in people entering competition without hope/desire to win. Using competition as an improvement tool for your photography is not the best way though, but useful for communication and understanding strategies. I will agree with ellude on competition matters too.
Try it, Ciaran and good luck!
Congratulation Ciaran!!!
The photo is very good. The theme, composition and tones are excellent.
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