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. Do not use photo corners, borders or place coverings over the exhibits.
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 or 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. Portfolios may include photos which are exhibited in other Level 2 classes during the same year. Portfolios must include: 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 image. When writing reflections, youth should focus on what new photography techniques they were practicing when they took the photo, what makes the image successful, and what could have been done to improve the image.
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. Portfolios must include: 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 image. 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.
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 2023 THEME “My Favorite Things.” 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.