Well, it seems that the photography is, in fact, being judged, as
well as the entrant’s piece.
I guess this leaves the entrant with a few choices:
A. Hire a professional
B. Do it yourself
For those who choose “B”, it will probably become apparent that the
skill set required for acceptable results will take a little work
and a monetary investment (tome and equipment). Daunting for some, a
challenge to be met for others.
Someone (Beth, Kim??) showed the dramatic difference possible when a
busy or poorly colored background is replaced with a more pleasing
color or gradient. It’s not that hard if you have the tools, nor are
other enhancements, but…
This goes back to my original query about slides. Why slides? This
sort of manipulation cannot be done with slides, it has to be
created in the original. Doing so is far more difficult, timewise,
than working in digital. In all ways, slides are a throwback.
Digital images are as easy or easier to review than slides, multiple
copies can be sent anywhere, viewed anywhere and the images, with
the proper software, van have “notes” attached with comments. Very
simple. It all sounds like an inertia problem to me. The first big
juried museum or show that goes digital will have the others
following…get with it, folks!!!
And, doing it yourself is really not that hard.
Wayne