As of June 2022, there will be two contest themes each month.

One theme that allows digital enhancement and the other that does not allow digital enhancement.

Both categories will be judged separately and there will be one winner for each contest.

Artists can only submit ONE image to ONE of the two contests.

Each month an outside judge will rate and critique the month’s contests and will offer feedback to images submitted if only requested by artist.

Ratings will be shared at the monthly meeting.

Voting criteria is based on the “Twelve Elements of a Merit Image”, and broken into ten categories. Each category is rated on a scale of 1-10, with a 100 being a perfect score.

The categories are as follows:

IMPACT & STORY TELLING: The image evokes emotion and the viewer’s imagination

TECHNICAL: Quality of image is good (i.e. sharpness, retouching, exposure, contrast, etc)

CREATIVITY: Original, fresh and offers an external expression of the artist’s imagination

COMPOSITION: Elements of image come together expressing intent, whether to please or not

PRESENTATION: Polished, finished look. Everything works together to enhance the image

COLOR BALANCE: Colors work well together to evoke feelings in the viewer

SUBJECT MATTER: How closely does the image suit the chosen theme

CENTER OF INTEREST: The artist’s focus is clear in the image

TECHNIQUE: Lighting, posing, presentation work together to be effective and powerful

LIGHTING: Image demonstrates excellence in use and control of light (natural or artificial)

For judge’s voting form, click here.