Honours Results Jan 2013

Comments from members of the newly elected Honours Judging panel

I feel very positive about the new judging format as this is a huge improvement on the previous system.  The new electronic scoring boxes enabled us to view the scores immediately.  When an image or a panel failed by one credit the image was viewed again and judges could speak out for or against the image.  This system generally worked in favour of the applicant.

To the authors who were successful, congratulations on a job well done. To the unsuccessful authors here are some suggestions:

• Check the calibration of you monitors. Make sure that your images are sharp but not sharpened so much that there are halos.
• View your images at 100% before making your final submission. Think about how you put the panel together.
• Keep vertical images together and horizontal images together. Group images from  the same genre.
• Your borders should be narrow, unobtrusive and consistent so that the panel hangs together as a unit.

When applying for honours in monochrome ask yourself  ” Does the conversion to monochrome really improve the image or is it better in colour?”

  Laetita Kenny

I must admit that I approached the honours judging with some trepidation as I wondered how twelve people with different personalities (and ARE they different) will work to together.  I was however surprised with the synergy in the group; not because everyone has now conformed to some predetermined mould, but because there was so much common ground. Common ground as far as striving to be fair to applicants, respect for the PSSA by setting an acceptable standard, a lack of ulterior motives, and last but not least; an undeniable passion for photography!

  Koot Marais