Slide Judging #101

[Derek Gee <73157.2172@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

By special request...
 
Slide Judging #101 - A Refresher Course  by Steve Kiesling
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With a whole season of competitions before us, this seems
like an appropriate time for a quick refresher course on slide
judging.  Competent judging is critical to the success of any
photographic competition.  But that doesn't mean it's
difficult to do; in fact, it largely calls upon the same skills
you use in evaluating a scene when taking stereo pictures,
or in deciding whether to enter a slide for competition.  A
simple procedure is given here.

At first glance, some basic determinations should be made;
is the slide appropriate for the assignment?  Is there a sense
of depth apparent in the image?  Beyond that, some specific
aspects of the slide should be evaluated.  These are typically
divided into "technical" and "artistic" categories, and include
(but aren't necessarily limited to) the following:

     Technical:  Is the exposure correct?  Is the subject in
                      focus?  Is the slide properly mounted?

     Artistic:      Is thoughtful composition shown?  Is a
                      creative approach evident?  Is color used
                      to advantage?

Based upon your answers to these questions, you'll then give
each slide a score, up to a maximum of 9 points.  Here is one
possible scale you can use to determine your score:

       9 - excellent          can't be improved
       8 - very good         close to ideal
       7 - good                above average
       6 - average            common, typical
       5 - fair                   has a significant flaw
       4 - poor                 has many faults

Avoid using any score lower than "4" - that is sufficient to
inform the maker that there is room for improvement.
Remember, our main objective is to distinguish among
the best images.

Some judges like to start from a "9" and subtract points (or
partial points) based on slide merits.  Others prefer starting
from an average score and adding [or subtracting] points.
Whatever approach you wish to take is fine.  But be very
careful not to let any personal prejudice either for or
against the subject matter enter in your scoring decisions.

If while judging you realize you have scored a slide incorrectly,
before the score is announced, you may call out "Rescore",
and the scoring machine will be cleared to allow you to enter
in the correct score.  Remember, this can be done only before
the score is called out; it is too late to make any changes
after the announcement.

It is critical that you remain consistant in your evaluations
from the first slide to the last.  This is especially important
when scoring the first few slides, when we naturally tend
to score slides as "average", regardless of their merit,
thinking that will allow room to go both higher and lower
later.  Set a standard in you mind before you begin and
use that as your reference, not the previous slides!

The range of scores you give as a judge will depend upon
the slides that are shown, of course, but you should
nearly always use a range of at least four or five points.
Otherwise, the scores will like be "bunched" and a
runoff will be required, and you will have to judge them
again.  The moral of the story is: use the full range
available the first time.

An excellent discussion of judging can be found in Ted
and Jean Reuther's article "The Pitfalls of Photo Judging".
Copies of this article are available on the literature table
at our meetings, and they can also be sent to interested
readers (of the Stereo Window) upon request.

Taking a turn as a judge in one of our monthly competitions
can help you evaluate all images better, including your own.
It will help make you a better stereographer while you
provide a valuable service to your fellow club members.  So
take advantage of this opportunity when you are asked.  It
does require some effort, but it's not difficult.  Simply
concentrate on the task at hand and do as well as you can.
Be good, and be fair, but most important, BE CONSISTANT!
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Hope this is helpful to you all...
 
                            Derek Gee
                            Detroit Stereographic Society
 


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