An interview-judging schedule is included in the front of the fair book. See 4-H Entry Schedule for date and times. Only one entry per member per class.
PHOTOGRAPHY
An interview judging schedule is included in front of the fair book. See 4-H Entry Schedule for dates and times.
GENERAL GUIDELINE RULES:
- 4‑H’ers can enter exhibits in ONLY one level and ONLY one entry per class.
- Entry Tags: Must be taped to the upper right-hand corner of Picture Displays. Exhibit prints must have entry tags scotch taped to the upper right-hand corner. Make sure tags are on the front of the exhibit.
- Photos must be shot during the current project year by the 4-H member and can only be used in one exhibit, with the exception of Portfolios which may include images entered as exhibit prints in other classes. Portfolio exhibits may also include images captured and/or exhibited in previous years.
- Securely attach photos. Photos unattached will be disqualified.
- Do not use photo corners, borders, or place coverings over the exhibits.
- Cameras – Photos may be taken with any type of film or digital camera, including phones, tablets, and drones.
- Data Tags: Are required on all prints 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 help sheet are available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4h-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.
- Level 3 Prints: All Level 3 prints must have a Level 3 Data Tag.
- Exhibits not following these rules will be dropped one ribbon placing.
Portfolios: 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, 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 8.5 inches x 11 inches three-ring binder or similar book format. Recommended photo size is 8 inches x 10 inches. Matting is not necessary.
- 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: Displays consist of three 4 inches x 6 inches photos mounted on a single horizontal 11 inches x 14 inches 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 20-60. Photos may be mounted vertically or horizontally. Appropriate Data Tags are required (see rule regarding Data Tags).
Print Exhibits: Print exhibits must be 8 inches x 10 inches printed, mounted in an 11 inches x 14 inches (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 (see rule regarding Data Tags).
BEGINNING - PHOTOGRAPHY BASICS - LEVEL 1
(County Fair Only)
Follow directions above for displays and prints for all classes in Level 1. Data tags are required for each photo in the display. Use numbers to identify which photo each data tag corresponds with. Print data tag template at http://platte.unl.edu
Premium: Purple $4.00; Blue $3.50; Red $3.00; White $2.50
Class No.
X 181 1 FUN WITH SHANDOW DISPLAY OR PRINT - Photos should capture interesting or creative use of shadows. (Activity 4)
X 181 2 GET IN CLOSE DISPLAY OR PRINT - Photo should capture a close-up view of the subject or object. (Activity 8)
X 181 3 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)
X 181 4 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 flower pot, 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)
X 181 5 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)
X 181 6 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)
X 181 7 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)
MIDDLE – NEXT LEVEL PHOTOGRAPHY - LEVEL 2
(State Fair Eligible)
Level 2 General 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.
Premium: Purple $4.50; Blue $4.00; Red $3.50; White $3.00
Class No.
B 181 10 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.
B 181 20 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)
B 181 30 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)
B 181 40 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)
B 181 50 CANDID PHOTOGRAPHY DISPLAY OR PRINT - Candid photos should capture a special moment or meaningful interaction. Photos should be unposed. (Activity 10)
B 181 60 EXPRESSION THROUGH COLOR DISPLAY OR PRINT - Photos should capture a creative use of color or a color scheme, such as complementary, contrasting, monochromatic, warm, cool, primary, secondary, or tertiary. (Activity 13)
B 181 70 BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY DISPLAY OR PRINT - 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.
B 181 80 CREATIVE AND EXPERIMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT PRINT - 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 caregiver 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.
ADVANCE - MASTERING PHOTOGRAPHY - LEVEL 3
(State Fair Eligible)
Level 3 General 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.
Premium: Purple $4.50; Blue $4.00; Red $3.50; White $3.00
Class No.
B 182 10 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.
B 182 20 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)
B 182 30 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 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 40 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)
B 182 50 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)
B 182 60 FREEZE/BLUR THE MOMENT PRINT - Photos should capture a subject in motion. Photographers should adjust shutter speed to either freeze or blue the movement. (Activity 11)
B 182 70 BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY PRINT - Photo demonstrates advanced black and white photography with strong technical ability and creative expression. Photo demonstrates intentional use of contrast, lighting, and composition to create visual impact. Advanced editing is allowed as appropriate for black and white imagery.
B 182 80 CREATIVE AND EXPERIMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT PRINT - 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 and advanced techniques used. Examples of methods to use may include using artificial intelligence or software tools to edit or replace the original pixels of the image or other advanced techniques. Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used when creating this exhibit, with adult caregiver 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.