Content
PHOTOGRAPHY
AWARDS Purple Blue Red White
$3.00 $2.50 $2.00 $1.50
RULES: 4-H’ers are allowed entries in only one level. Photos may be used in only one exhibit or class and must be taken by the 4-H’er. Photos must be shot during the current project year (except Portfolios, which may include images captured and/or exhibited in previous years). Date feature should be disabled when taking 4-H photos.
Cameras Photos may be taken with any type of film or digital camera, including phones, tablets, and drones.
TAGS: Entry tags should be securely attached to the upper right-hand corner of picture displays. Exhibit Prints can scotch tape entry tags to the upper right-hand corner. When Sandwich backing is specified, this refers to the picture being placed between the mat and mat-board backing (like a sandwich) securely fastened together to hold picture in place with glue or double stick tape. Exhibit Prints should be brought and entered in a plastic bag for display purposes (most fit in 2-gallon bags).
Data Tags: Required on all photography exhibits. Attach data tags to the back of the photo or include as page one of your photo showcase. Data tags available upon request or at either office.
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 an 8.5x11 three-ring binder or similar book format. Recommended photo size is 8x10. Matting is not necessary.
- Digital portfolios may be presented online and must be exhibited along with a single 8.5x11 flyer. Flyers must include a link, URL, or QR code that takes users (judges and fairgoers) to their online portfolio.
Display Exhibits: At the state fair, display exhibits are only accepted in Level II classes. Displays consist of three 4x6 photos mounted on a single horizontal 11 x 14 black or white poster or mat board. Incorrect sizes will not be accepted. No foam board backing should be used. Each photo in the display must be numbered using a pencil. Numbers should be readable but not distract from the overall display. No titles, captions, or stick-on numbers will be allowed in classes. Photos may be mounted vertically or horizontally. Appropriate Data Tags are required.
Print Exhibits: Print exhibits must be 8x10 printed mounted in 11 x 14 (outside size) cut 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 horizontal or vertical. No frames are allowed. Appropriate data tags are required and available by request or at either office.
FOCUS ON PHOTOGRAPHY: UNIT I – NOT ELIGIBLE FOR STATE FAIR
- Unit I Picture Displays:
- To be mounted on horizontal 11” X 14” black (preferred) poster or white or matting-board.
- Every photo on picture display must be pencil numbered (number 2 lead) below each photo (for judges’ reference only). Numbers should be readable and not detract from display. No titles, captions, or stick-on numbers will be allowed. Photos must be mounted vertically or horizontally.
- Personal Data Tags (parts A and B) are required.
- Unit I Photo Journal:
- Choose project area 1, 2, 3, or 4 in Level 1 project manual titled “Focus on Photography”.
- Complete the pages associated with the project area of your choice (project 1, 2, 3, or 4) or recreate and print the pages (still using actual photos).
- Place pages in an 8 ½” X 11” black or white 3 ring binder.
- Personal Data Tags are required. For your journal complete Part A only and include this as page one of your journal.
CLASSES
B180001L FUN WITH SHADOWS - Entry will capture interesting or creative shadows. (Activity 4)
B180002L GET IN CLOSE DISPLAY OR PRINT - Entry will capture an up-close view of the subject or object. (Activity 8)
B180003L BIRD’S OR BUG’S EYE VIEW DISPLAY OR PRINT - Entry will consist of a photo from above (bird’s eye) or below (bug’s eye). (Activity 10)
B180004L TRICKS AND MAGIC DISPLAY OR PRINT - Entry will capture visual trickery or magic. Trick photography requires creative compositions of objects in space and are intended to trick the person viewing the photo. (Activity 11)
B180005L PEOPLE, PLACES, OR PETS WITH PERSONALITY - Photos should have a strong focal point of people, places, or pets capturing their personality or character. Photos may be posed or un-posed. (Activity 13)
B180006L BLACK AND WHITE DISPLAY OR PRINT - Photos should create interest without the use of color. Photos should show strong contrast and/or textures. Photos may be captured in black and white or captured in color and edited to black and white. (Activity 15)
B180007L 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. Display will consist of three 4x6 photos mounted on a single horizontal 11x14 black or white poster or mat board. Each photo in the display must be numbered using a pencil. Numbers should be readable but not distracting from the overall display. No titles, captions, or stick-on numbers are allowed. Photos may be mounted vertically or horizontally. Data tags are required for each photo in the display. (Activity 14)
CONTROLLING THE IMAGE: UNIT II GUIDELINES
Rules
- Level 2 photographers should be utilizing all the skills and techniques they have developed thus far in their photography careers, especially topics covered in Book 1 Photography Basics and Book 2 Next Level Photography.
CLASSES
B181010 LEVEL 2 PORTFOLIO - Level 2 portfolios should represent the photographer's best work and must include 5-7 different images from the 4-H member's photography career. At least 2 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 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
B181030 CREATIVE COMPOSITION DISPLAY OR PRINT - Entry will consist of 3 completely different views or angles of the same subject or a print that illustrates one of the following composition lesson in the Level 2 Project Manual (Rule of Thirds, The Golden Photo, Space Tells the Story, Building a Photo, and Capture a Candid Photo. (Controlling the Image, p. 34-53).
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)
B181070 Black and White Photography - A photo should be a black and white photograph that demonstrates strong use of composition, lighting, and contrast. Photos may be taken with any camera type (digital or film) but must be printed in black and white.
B181080 Creative and Experimental Photography Exhibit - Using original photos a 4-H member has captured, create an exhibit in black and white or color demonstrating the use of creative or experimental technology or techniques. Alterations to the exhibit must be apparent. Examples of methods to use may include using artificial intelligence or software tools to edit or replace the original pixels of the image.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used when creating this exhibit, with adult care-giver permission. Any artificial intelligence work must be referenced. The 4-H member’s original work must be the majority of exhibit. Using photos and other work found online is not acceptable. Must include a 4-inch x 6-inch copy of each original image on the back of the matted exhibit, describe how the image(s) were altered and the equipment or software used.
MASTERING PHOTOGRAPHY: UNIT III GUIDELINES
Rules
- Level 3 photographers should be exploring and experimenting 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.
CLASSES
B182010 LEVEL 3 PORTFOLIO - Level 3 portfolios should represent the photographer's best work. Level 3 portfolios must include 9-11 images from the 4-H member's photography career. At least 3 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, vertical lines or repeating shapes to frame a subject or lead the viewer's 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)
B182070 Black and White Photography - A photo should be a black and white photograph that demonstrates strong use of composition, lighting, and contrast. Photos may be taken with any camera type (digital or film) but must be printed in black and white.
B182080 Creative and Experimental Photography Exhibit - Using original photos a 4-H member has captured, create an exhibit in black and white or color demonstrating the use of creative or experimental technology or techniques. Alterations to the exhibit must be apparent. Examples of methods to use may include using artificial intelligence or software tools to edit or replace the original pixels of the image.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used when creating this exhibit, with adult care-giver permission. Any artificial intelligence work must be referenced. The 4-H member’s original work must be the majority of exhibit. Using photos and other work found online is not acceptable. Must include a 4” x 6” copy of each original image on the back of the matted exhibit, describe how the image(s) were altered and the equipment or software used.