Notes from a talk by Graham Walton to JPS on 27th April 2022

HOW TO COMPETE WITH YOUR PHOTOS.

THE MIDLAND COUNTIES PHOTOGRAPHIC FEDERATION (MCPF)

JUDGES

PAGB JUDGES - Appointed by the PAGB for Exhibition and Inter-federation Competitions
MCPF A LIST JUDGES - Judges who have been assessed and promoted from the B List
MCPF B LIST JUDGES - New novice judges or judges who have not gained promotion to the A List
NON LISTED JUDGES - Judges who are removed from the list or have not registered or gained approval.

COMPETITIVE PICTURES

Story telling pictures.
Different and Novel
A photographer's personal statement
Emotional
Inspiring
Mood
Atmosphere
Uncluttered
Impact
Unusual Lighting
Different Angle
Good picture design and composition.
Simple.
Styles and Trends
Picture quality

WHAT TO AVOID IN PICTURES, IN ORDER TO PLEASE GOOD JUDGES

Flower Beds
Direct Copies of other peoples' art. Statues, Paintings, Posters Grafitti etc
National Trust, English Heritage, Picture Postcard and Calendar viewpoints.
Record Pictures
Grinning people
Cuddling people
Busy backgrounds
Burnt Out Highlights or Blocked Up Shadows
Halos Around Edges
Colour Casts
White skies
Clutter
People and objects cut off.
Distracting Highlights.
Half way horizons.
Posts, windows frames and trees growing out of people heads.
Main subjects in centre of picture can be a problem.
Out of favour/ out of vogue subjects.

EXHIBITION SCORING SYSTEM

Three Judges can score O to 5 for each photo.
A score of 2 for not up to the required standard
A score of 3 for a near miss.
A score of 4 for exhibition standard.
A score of 5 for award standard
The combined scores of the 3 judges determines whether an exhibition acceptance is gained.
A total of 12 points or above usually gains an acceptance whereas 15 can gain an award.

QUALIFICATIONS TO GO FOR

BPE CROWN AWARDS for 25 exhibition acceptances in BE exhibitions for BPE1
50 exhibition acceptances for BPE2
100 exhibition acceptances for BPE 3
200 exhibition acceptances for BPE 4
300 exhibition acceptances for BPE 5
PAGB QUALIFICATIONS
CPAGB - 10 Top Club Quality Images
DPAGB-15 Open Exhibition Quality Images
MPAGB - 20 Open Exhibition Award Quality Images
6 Judges are used to evaluate PAGB qualifications.
ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY QUALIFICATIONS.
LRPS - 10 images similar to CPAGB standard, except must be a panel
ARPS - 15 images similar to DPAGB standard, except must be a panel
FRPS - 20 images similar to MPAGB standard, except must be a panel

SOURCES OF INSPIRATION

Club Competitions
Interclub Competitions
British Open Exhibitions ( BPE)
International Exhibitions ie Smethwick
Art Galleries ( What style of pictures have stood the test of time? ) Birmingham Art Gallery
Attend PAGB National Events ie. Interclub PDI Event, Interclub Print Event,
Inter-Federation Competition.
Watch MCPF Recorded Lectures
Strictly Come Dancing
Masterchef

Graham Walton DPAGB October 2021