Photography

The purpose of this project area is to establish basic to advanced knowledge of and abilities in using photographic equipment, lighting, and composition to capture images, express feelings, and communicating ideas. 4-H members can work through the three project levels, progressing from basic to advanced photography skills and techniques. For help getting started with this project contact your county 4-H Extension office.

Area Rules – Photography

4-H members are allowed to exhibit in only one photography level.
4-H members may enter up to three exhibits but no more than one exhibit per class.
An image may only be used on one exhibit except for Portfolios, which may include images entered in other classes.
Cameras
1. Photos may be taken with any type of film or digital camera, including phones, tablets, and drones.
Photos must be shot by the 4-H exhibitor during the current project year except for Portfolios, which may include images captured and/or exhibited in previous years.
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.
Portfolios
1. All 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.
  6. Reflections for each photo. When writing reflections, 4-H members 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:
    1. Printed portfolios should be presented in a three-ring binder that is 8.5 inches x11 inches or similar book format. Recommended photo size is 8”x10”. Matting is not necessary.
    2. Digital portfolios may be presented online and must be exhibited along with a single 8.5 inches x 11 inches flyer. Flyers must include a link, URL, or QR code that takes users (judges and fairgoers) to their online portfolio.
Display Exhibits
1. At the State Fair, display exhibits are only accepted in Level II. Displays consist of three 4” x 6” 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. Photos may be mounted vertically or horizontally. Appropriate Data Tags are required.
Print Exhibits
1. Print exhibits must be 8”x10” printed mounted in 11”x14” (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.
Entry tags should be securely attached to the upper right-hand corner of the exhibit.
Data Tags are required on all print and display exhibits. Data tags are not required for portfolios. Each exhibit must have the appropriate number and level of data tags as outline below. Data tags should be securely attached to the back of the exhibit. Current data tags and help sheet are available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4h-photography.
1. All Level 2 prints must have a Level 2 Data Tag.
2. Each Level 2 display photo must include a separate Level 2 Data Tag. Data Tags should be numbered with the corresponding photo's number.
3. All Level 3 prints must have a Level 3 Data Tag.
On-Campus Exhibition Selection
1. Level 2 and Level 3 prints exhibited at State Fair may be selected for special on-campus exhibitions. Selected prints will be collected at the end of the State Fair and will be returned to county Extension offices after the completion of their on-campus exhibition.

Department B – Division 180 – Level 1: Focus on Photography
All entries in division 180 are county only entries. They are not eligible to go to the State Fair.
				Division	Class	Pay	Purple	Blue	Red	White
Dept.	Division	Class No.	Class Description	180	All Classes	1	$6	$4	$2	$1
B	180	900	Picture Display – Entry will consist of 3 pictures. The 4-H member will exhibit one picture from three different categories. Categories to be selected from include the following: Animal, Building, Landscape, Special Effects, Still Life, Sports, or Close up.
B	180	901	Picture Story Display – Entry will consist of three pictures which tell a story (include introduction, body and conclusion). No captions.
B	180	902	Exhibit Prints

Department B – Division 181 – Level 2: Next Level Photography
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.
				Division	Class	Pay	Purple	Blue	Red	White
Dept.	Division	Class No.	Class Description	181	All Classes	1	$6	$4	$2	$1
B	181	010	Level 2 Portfolio (SF88) - Level 2 portfolios should represent the 4-H member's best work and must include five to seven different images from the 4-H member's photography career. 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 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.
B	181	020	Creative Techniques & Lighting Display or Print (SF87) - 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)
B	181	030	Creative Composition Display or Print (SF87) - 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)
B	181	040	Abstract Photography Display or Print (SF87) - Photos should be abstract or capture a small piece of a larger subject. Abstract photos may not look like anything but should be able to capture a viewer's attention. (Activity 11)
B	181	050	Candid Photography Display or Print (SF87) - Candid photos should capture a special moment or meaningful interaction. Photos should be un-posed. (Activity 10)
B	181	060	Expression Through Color Display or Print (SF87) - 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)

Department B – Division 182 – Level 3: Mastering Photography
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.
				Division	Class	Pay	Purple	Blue	Red	White
Dept.	Division	Class No.	Class Description	181	All Classes	2	$7	$5	$3	$1
B	182	010	Level 3 Portfolio (SF88) - Level 3 portfolios should represent the photographer's best work. Level 3 portfolios must include nine to eleven 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, 4-H members 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.
B	182	020	Advanced Techniques & Lighting Print (SF89) - 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)
B	182	030	Advanced Composition Print (SF89) - Photos should show advanced compositions, such as using diagonal, horizontal, or 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)
B	182	040	Portrait Print (SF89) - 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)
B	182	050	Still Life Print (SF89) - 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)
B	182	060	Freeze/Blur the Moment Print (SF89) - Photos should capture a subject in motion. Photographers should adjust shutter speed to either freeze or blur the movement. (Activity 11) Rules