• Excellent - Receives 10 points
  This image has outstanding composition, tells a complete story, or creates a mood for the viewer. It has a high impact on the viewer. It has no noticeable weaknesses but it is not necessarily perfect. There is no definition for artistic perfection--however, it should still be a goal for everyone to try to achieve.
  
  
• Very Good - Receives 9 points
  The photo is technically correct with good composition. It tells a story or creates a mood that impacts the viewer at first sight.  It has only one minor weakness.
  
  
• Good – Receives 8 point
  Typical photo quality, good color for the subject and background, good pictorial treatment. The photo is technically correct. It may have up to two minor weaknesses.
  
  
• Average Receives 7 points
  Average, as far as the public is concerned, with little impact or imagination. It does not meet TPS acceptance criteria.  It may have up to three minor weaknesses.
  
  
• Fair - Receives 6 points
  This is a snapshot type of photo that needs improvement before entering it into one of the TPS competitions. It has four or more weaknesses that need to be corrected.
  

Explanation Of Design Components

Impact: The picture’s ability to attract and hold the viewer’s attention. Look for: Establishment of mood, strong emotional response evoked, sensory stimulation, fresh imaginative approach that lifts the work into the realm of art, subject matter made interesting by the photographer--not merely by its own inherent quality.

Composition: The selection and arrangement of the pictorial elements to enhance the meaning of the subject. Look For: One or more area of maximum interest, use of lines and shapes to emphasize the center of interest, pleasing spatial balance, a complete story within the photograph, overall unity, simplicity.  Watch this great video by Peter Evans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gok-dqLx3vY&t=5s

Technique: The selective application of the mechanical elements to strengthen the intended visual statement. Look For: Effective use of light, appropriate use of focus and depth-of-field, effective exposure, subduing of unimportant foregrounds, backgrounds, and highlights, effective filling of the frame, straight horizon lines, correct linear perspective of buildings, effective use of color or tonal contrast (black & white), effective cropping, neatness and clean photos.

TPS does not have a definition for artistic perfection. Clear your mind of subject matter prejudices. Be a photo judge, not a subject judge. Even if you have already seen a thousand sunsets, judge each photo on its own merits. Reward a creative approach when it is effectively used and provides impact. A fresh look at a previously unnoticed subject, or looking at something that is familiar from a new angle, deserves a higher score.

The difficulty of taking the photo should not change the rating. The image speaks for itself, no matter how hard or easy it is to capture. A great photo should keep the viewer’s attention. Spend a few seconds before giving a final score. Good or bad emotions are emotions. Your task is not to judge just on the “happiness level” but also on how well the photo keeps the viewer engaged.

The presentation of the photo should not overpower the subject. For this reason, TPS requests that the mat or other support board be neutral or preferably unseen by the viewer for the print competitions. Don’t get tied down to just one theory on how good art should look (composition rules), or only how the viewer should look at it (analyzing eye movement). Photographic quality can be influenced by many different elements, all of which deserve consideration. If you don’t find any major or minor weaknesses in a work, give it full points.

Why do we judge? Club competitions become an incentive for improvement in Member’s photos. Individuals can measure their progress each month at their own level. A respected opinion and constructive critiques will provide an evaluation of the entries and furnish information that will help the Member improve the next time he/she picks up a camera.