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Uncompromised Quality Photography
By Photographer Dan Harris

A home-studio photography business in Jacksonville, FL
1124 Riviera St.  Jacksonville, FL  32207 (904) 398-7668

2013 update: We now edit, retouch, print and mount competition prints for other photographers! Most recently an image we printed won the Kodak gallery award!

NEWS: Dan Harris won 3 'Accolade of Excellence' awards
at the yearly WPPI international print competition in Las Vegas
His prints scored: 83, 84 and 85.

WPPI Wedding & Portrait Photographers International
Yearly 16x20 Print Competition
(2006: 2,500 entries, aprox: 200 awards)

Here's what the judges look for:

The judges base their scores on a combination of the following qualities: creativity, impact, storytelling, technical excellence, lighting, posing, expression, print quality, composition and title.

TECHNICAL ASPECTS

• Highest quality technical execution.

• Proper exposure for the mood and subject matter pictured.

• Flawless presentation -excellent spotting, retouching and finishing technique with clean, professional mounting and/or matting.

COMPOSITION AND POSING

• Is the placement and arrangement of subject matter well handled?

• Is the posing believable and flattering?

• Are the finer points of the posing (hands and feet, for example) well handled?

CREATIVITY

• A fresh and imaginative approach to the subject matter.

IMPACT

• Does the photograph have strong visual appeal?

• What elements hold the viewer’s eye within the confines of the print?

• Is the visual approach special or unique?

• Does the image “grab and hold” the judges’ attention?

STYLE

• What makes the photograph different from other entries? What makes it stand out?

• Is the image unique? Does it possess individuality and originality?

PRESENTATION TIPS

• Use of creative mounting can enhance the impact of your photograph.

• Matting or submount colors should enhance and modify the print image.

• Print presentation should be flawless; mounting, spotting, retouching, matting, etc.

• Mounting and presentation techniques should never overpower your print.

• Prints previously submitted to other print competitions usually show signs of wear and tear -bent corners or scratches in the print surface, etc. Judges are expecting to see original, pristine presentations and will deduct from the scores of damaged or worn prints.

LIGHTING

• Mastery of the lighting with a full range of highlights, shadows and midtones with detail throughout.

• Good modeling and three-dimensionality of subject features.

• Does the light create a mood?

COMMUNICATION VALUES

• Does the print communicate a message or story, or impart information in a visually interesting way?

• Does the image design support the subject matter?

• A strong storytelling statement should be apparent.

PRINT QUALITY

• Excellent range of tones and optimal print contrast

• Color fidelity and true color quality of skin and subject tones.

• “Unnoticeable” burning and dodging or other print manipulations.

Scoring Points:

WPPI SCORING SYSTEM FOR PRINT AND ALBUM COMPETITIONS SCORE KEY DEFINITION

70-75 Below Average -Requires improvement in technique.

76-79 Average -Average professional skill and technique.

(Scores of 80 or above will receive an 'Accolade of Excellence')

80-84 Above Average -High standard of professional skill, creativity and technique.

85-89 Excellent -Excellent use of imagination, skill and technique.

90-94 Exceptional -Exhibiting exceptional skills in all areas.

95-99 Extraordinary -Superlative excellence in imagination, creativity and technique.

100 Superior -Best possible use of all skills and creativity; new, fresh, unique.

I abide by the following:

1. I will conform to the highest ethical and technical standards in the practice of my profession, striving constantly to improve my artistic abilities as a professional photographer.