Exhibits not following these rules will be dropped one ribbon placing.
– 4-H'ers are allowed to exhibit in only one photography level.
– An image may only be used on one exhibit; with the exception of portfolios.
– Photos may be taken with any type of film or digital camera including phones, tablets and drones.
– Photos must be shot during the current project year by the 4-H member (except portfolios).
– Securely attach photos, mats, backing and data tags. Exhibits that are poorly attached may be disqualified. Do not use photo corners, borders or place coverings over the exhibits.
– Display Exhibits consist of three 4”x6” photos mounted on a single horizontal 11”x14” black or white poster or matt board. No foam board backing is allowed. Each photo must be numbered using a pencil. Numbers should be readable but not detract from display. No titles, captions, or stick-on numbers allowed. Photos may be mounted vertically or horizontally. Each photo must include a separate data tag, numbered with the corresponding photo’s number.
– Print Exhibits must be 8”x10” prints mounted in 11”x14” (outside size) matting with a sandwich mat board backing. Incorrect sizes will not be accepted. No foam board should be used for matting or backing. Mat openings may be rectangular or oval. Photos may be mounted horizontally or vertically. No frames are allowed. Data tags are required.
– Data Tags are required for all exhibits. Securely attach to the back of exhibit. Photography 1, 2 and 3 data tags and scoresheets are available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4h-photography.
– Portfolios must include the following information: 1) 1-page max bio, 2) table of contents, 3) year each photo was taken, 4) title for each image, 5) device make and model used to capture each image, and 6) reflections for each photo. When writing reflections, youth should focus on what new photography techniques or skills they were practicing when they took the photo, what makes the image successful, and what could have been done to improve the image. Portfolios may be presented in either print or digital formats. Printed portfolios should be presented in a 8.5”x11” three-ring binder or similar book format. Recommended photo size is 8”x10”. Matting is not necessary. Digital portfolios may be presented online and must be exhibited along with a single 8.5”x11” flyer. Flyers must include a link, URL, or QR code that takes users (judges and fairgoers) to their online portfolio.
– Challenging Photo Exhibits are intended to encourage creativity, problem-solving skills, and deeper exploration of the use of photography. These classes require taking and exhibiting multiple photos in a single exhibit. Photos should be attached to a single poster board. Appropriate data tags are required.
– Level 3 photographers should explore and experiment with advanced techniques. This may include but does not necessarily require using an SLR camera, manual adjustments, or other advanced equipment. Level 3 photographers should be utilizing all the skills and techniques they have developed throughout their photography career, especially topics covered in Book 1 Photography Basics, Book 2 Next Level Photography, and Book 3 Mastering Photography.
Division 180: Level 1 Photography Basics*
*B180001 Fun with Shadows Display or Print Photo(s) should capture interesting or creative use of shadows. (Activity 4)
*B180002 Get In Close Display or Print Photo(s) should capture a close-up view of the subject or object. (Activity 8)
*B180003 Bird’s or Bug’s Eye View Display or Print Photo(s) should capture an interesting viewpoint of a subject, either from above (bird’s eye view) or below (bug’s eye view). (Activity 10)
*B180004 Tricks and Magic Display or Print Photo(s) should capture visual trickery or magic. Trick photography requires creative compositions of objects in space and is intended to trick the person viewing the photo. For example, if someone is standing in front of a flowerpot, the pot might not be visible in the image, making it look as if the flowers are growing out of the person’s head. (Activity 11)
*B180005 People, Places or Pets with Personality Display or Print Photo(s) should have a strong focal point, which could be people, places or pets. Photo(s) should capture the subject’s personality or character. Photos may be posed or un-posed. (Activity 13)
*B180006 Black and White Display or Print Photo(s) should create interest without the use of color. Photo(s) should show strong contrast and/or textures. Photo(s) may be captured in black and white or captured in color and edited to black and white. (Activity 15)
*B180007 Challenging Photo Exhibit: Telling a Story Display Exhibit will include three photos which tell a story without words. Photos may show something being created, destroyed, consumed, moving or growing. Photos should capture the beginning, middle and end of a single story, project or event. (Activity 14)
Division 181: Level 2 - Next Level Photography
B181010 Level 2 Portfolio must include 5-7 different images representing the 4-H member’s best work. At least two images must have been taken during the current year. The remaining images may have been taken at any time during the member’s 4-H experience and may have been previously exhibited. Portfolios may include photos which are exhibited in other Level 2 classes during the same year. Follow portfolio guidelines listed at the beginning of the Photography section.
B181020 Creative Techniques & Lighting Display or Print. Photos should capture a creative use of lighting, such as diffused lighting, backlighting, or hard lighting, reflections, or another lighting technique covered in Book 2 Next Level Photography (Activity 3, 4, 5).
B181030 Creative Composition Display or Print. Photos should capture a creative composition using the Rule of Thirds, Golden Triangle, Golden Rectangle, or another composition technique covered in Book 2 Next Level Photography (Activity 6, 7, 8, 9).
B181040 Abstract Photography Display or Print. Photos should be abstract or capture a small piece of a larger subject. Abstract photos may not look like anything in particular but should be able to capture a viewer's attention (Activity 11).
B181050 Candid Photography Display or Print. Candid photos should capture a special moment or meaningful interaction. Photos should be un-posed (Activity 10).
B181060 Expression through Color Display or Print. Photos should capture a creative use of color or a color scheme, such as complimentary, contrasting, monochromatic, warm, cool, primary, secondary, or tertiary (Activity 13).
Division 182: Level 3 - Mastering Photography
B182010 Level 3 Portfolio. Must include 9-11 images which represent the best work from the 4-H member’s photography career. At least three images should be from the current year. The remaining images may have been taken at any time during the member's 4-H experience and may have been previously exhibited. Portfolios may include photos which are exhibited in other Level 3 classes during the same year. Follow portfolio guidelines listed at the beginning of the Photography section.
B182020 Advanced Techniques & Lighting Print. Photos should show an experimentation or exploration of advanced lighting, such as low-light or silhouette photography or another advanced photography technique, such as astrophotography, underwater photography, or infrared photography (Activity 3, 4, 5, or 12).
B182030 Advanced Composition Print. Photos should show advanced compositions, such as using diagonal, horizontal, or vertical lines or repeating shapes to frame a subject or lead the viewers eye through a scene; breaking the rule of thirds to compose a discordant image; or another advanced composition technique covered in Book 3 Mastering Photography (Activity 6, 7).
B182040 Portrait Print. A great portrait captures not only a person's physical image, but also something of the person's character or personality. Photos may be either formal or informal but must be of one or more human subjects (Activity 9).
B182050 Still Life Print. Photos should capture non-moving objects that have been arranged in an interesting way. Photos should demonstrate advanced control over lighting and composition (Activity 8).
B182060 Freeze/Blur the Moment Print: Photos should capture a subject in motion. Photographers should adjust shutter speed to either freeze or blur the movement (Activity 11).
Division 189: Special County Photo*
*B189001 County 8"x10" Exhibit Print 2025 THEME “Big Red Country.” The photo must be taken in the county of exhibition. 4-H’ers enrolled in any Photography Unit are eligible. Picture must have been taken by the 4-H member within the past 12 months.