detail image example

 I will just say it outright.

You do NOT need to have professional photos taken to enter national competition to increase your chances of being juried in.  99% of all entry photos are taken by the entrants.  The major winners????  It is RARE that any of us would have entered with professional photos.  Quite frankly it is expensive (really expensive) to enter competition these days and then when you add in another $100+ for THREE photos???  Ridiculous and completely unnecessary.  We are not looking for inclusion into the Louvre, and I say the following with the friendliest of intentions, get over the “art-eest” thing already!

If you are truly photographically challenged then maybe having professional photos taken should be a consideration, but in most cases taking entry  photos is just a matter of common sense.

what is wrong with this photo? Lots! Body parts, background, etc. Oh and including a ribbon you won in the guild show or state fair is not going to sway the jurors either.

If your photo is not in focus or too dark, the jury will reject it. They can't see it can you?

Ok maybe if your quilt really sucks and you know it, a professional photographer can make it look like a gem and get it through the jury process, but usually when it gets to the judging stage and the quilt has to stand on its own, you are usually, although not always, doomed for a prize anyway.  So exactly why did you go to that expense?  Ok, some will say “to get my work seen”.  Don’t make me re-visit that “arteest” thing.  If most are honest, they hope for a ribbon/prize so there is some expectation for a return on the investment.  Quite frankly, there is nothing wrong with that logic and it is totally appropriate.

Only the quilt is in the picture and evenly lit in the "full" shot requirement

If you want to know how to get really nice photos for entering shows on your own, Holly Knott  gives an excellent tutorial on how to take the right photos if you are unsure of how to go about it.  Keep that money in your wallet, with today’s economy it may have a much better use.

I am off of my soapbox now.

©2009 Sandra Leichner