Photography

Projects:  Photography Basics, Next Level Photography, Mastering Photography

General Instructions:  Photography (Divisions 180, 181 &182)

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.

General Information: 

• 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 with the exception of Portfolios which may include images entered in other classes. 
• Cameras:  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 member during the current project year with the exception of 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: All portfolios must include the following information:
  1. one-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, 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:

1. Printed portfolios should be presented in an three-ring binder that is 8.5 inches x 11 inches or similar book format. Recommended photo size is 8 inches x 10 inches.  Matting is not necessary.
2. Digital portfolios may be presented online and must be exhibited along with a single 8.5 inch x 11 inch flyer.  Flyers must include a link, URL, or QR code that takes users (judges and fairgoers) to their online portfolio.

• Display Exhibits:  Display exhibits are accepted in Level 1 and Level 2.  Displays consist of three 4 inch x 6 inch photos mounted on a single horizontal 11 inch x 14 inch 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 display classes.  Photos may be mounted vertically or horizontally.  Appropriate Data Tags are required (see rule regarding Data Tags).
• Print Exhibits:  All print exhibits must be 8 inch x 10 inch prints mounted in 11 inch x 14 inch (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 unit data tags are required (see rule regarding Data Tags).
• Entry Tags:  Entry tags should be securely attached to the upper right-hand corner of the exhibit.
• Data Tags:  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 outlined below.  Data tags should be securely attached to the back of the exhibit.  Current data tags and a help sheet are available at: https://go.unl.edu/ne4h-photography
• Level 1 Prints—All Level 1 prints must have a Level 1 Data Tag.
• Level 1 Picture Displays— Each photo of the display must include a separate Level 1 Data Tag.  Data Tags should be numbered with the corresponding photo’s number.
• Level 2 Prints—All Level 2 prints must have a Level 2 Data Tag.
• Level 2 Displays—Each photo of the display must include a separate Level 2 Data Tag.  Data Tags should be numbered with the corresponding photo’s number.
• Level 3 Prints—All Level 3 prints must have a Level 3 Data Tag.

Division 180 

—Level One: Photography Basics—

Classes in this division are ineligible for State Fair

Display exhibits are encouraged for Level 1 exhibitors. 

Level 1 Prints—All Level 1 prints must have a Level 1 Data Tag.

Level 1 Picture Displays— Each photo of the display must include a separate Level 1 Data Tag.  Data Tags should be numbered with the corresponding photo’s number.

Class B180900  Fun With Shadows Display or Print  Photos should capture interesting or creative use of shadows.  (Activity 4)

Class B180901  Get in Close Display or Print  Photos should capture a close-up view of the subject or object.  (Activity 8)

Class B180902  Bird’s or Bug’s Eye View Display or Print  Photo should capture an interesting viewpoint of a subject, either from above (bird’s eye view) or below (bug’s eye view).  (Activity 10)

Class B180903  Tricks and Magic Display or Print  Photos should capture visual trickery or magic.  Trick photography require creative compositions of objects in space and are 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)

Class B180904  People, Places, or Pets with Personality Display or Print  Photos should have a strong focal point, which could be people, places, or pets.  Photos should capture the subject’s personality or character.  Photos may be posed or un-posed.  (Activity 13)

Class B180905  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)

Class B180906  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 4 inch x 6 inch photos mounted on a single horizontal 11 inch x 14 inch 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)

Division 181

—Level Two:  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. 

Level 2 Prints—All Level 2 prints must have a Level 2 Data Tag.

Level 2 Displays—Each photo of the display must include a separate Level 2 Data Tag.  Data Tags should be numbered with the corresponding photo’s number.

*Class B181010  Level 2 Portfolio  Level 2 portfolios should represent the 4-H member’s best work and must include five-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. one-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, 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.

*Class 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)

*Class 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)

*Class 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)

*Class B181050  Candid Photography Display or Print  Candid photos should capture a special moment or meaningful interaction.  Photos should be un-posed.  (Activity 10)

Class 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 Three:  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.

Level 3 Prints—All Level 3 prints must have a Level 3 Data Tag.

*Class B182010  Level 3 Portfolio  Level 3 portfolios should represent the photographer’s best work.  Level 3 portfolios must include nine-eleven images 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. one-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 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.

*Class 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)

*Class 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)

*Class 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)

*Class 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)

*Class 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)