Choosing Contest Categories

[Larry Lawhead]

Sometimes it is simple, other times I struggle . And I suspect I’ve chosen the wrong category quite a few times.

I posted 2x photos today, taken in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Both are b&w (in camera), portrait orientation nature shots. So what’s the “right” category.

• Nature / Landscape? Well, this month has a “spring” subcategory, and while it is spring that’s not really the message of these photos. And B&w doesn’t seem to do well in Nature…. Nor Portrait.
• Elements Of Design? Probably not
• post Techniques? Is B&W a technique? even in camera?
• Travel / Place? GSMNP is certainly a travel destination, but again, not really Germaine to what I’m hoping to convey
• Catch All? Well, that just seems like a cop out.

It seems like Nature is probably the least-wrong…or am I way over thinking this?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park1
Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2

 

[proHappyJim]

The judges do not rule out B&W in Nature/Landscape. It's just a competitive category. And they are often in People.

Techniques does allow for B&W - your photos might be best there.

BTW, I have changed the name of this category, removing the "Post" part of it so it's clear that techniques can be in camera. See this recently updated contest category page for more clear guidance.

With Travel/Place, always use this touchstone: would one say "oh I want to go there!"

;-)

 

[Errick's Forum Discussion]

Sometimes it is simple, other times I struggle . And I suspect I’ve chosen the wrong category quite a few times.

I posted 2x photos today, taken in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Both are b&w (in camera), portrait orientation nature shots. So what’s the “right” category.

• Nature / Landscape? Well, this month has a “spring” subcategory, and while it is spring that’s not really the message of these photos. And B&w doesn’t seem to do well in Nature…. Nor Portrait.
• Elements Of Design? Probably not
• post Techniques? Is B&W a technique? even in camera?
• Travel / Place? GSMNP is certainly a travel destination, but again, not really Germaine to what I’m hoping to convey
• Catch All? Well, that just seems like a cop out.

It seems like Nature is probably the least-wrong…or am I way over thinking this?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park1
Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2

As a guy who really likes to work in black and whitr I have also had problems with this. It appeared that early on any black and white can seek placement into techniques. I am pleased that BP seems to have pulled away from this decision. Now as you go through the category viewing black and white are more prominent equally across the board. Now I steer away from putting black and white into techniques unless I have used a more advanced technique other then just black and white conversion.

 

[Larry Lawhead]

The judges do not rule out B&W in Nature/Landscape. It's just a competitive category. And they are often in People.

Techniques does allow for B&W - your photos might be best there.

BTW, I have changed the name of this category, removing the "Post" part of it so it's clear that techniques can be in camera. See this recently updated contest category page for more clear guidance.

With Travel/Place, always use this touchstone: would one say "oh I want to go there!"

;-)

Thanks for the clarification Jim! I spend way too much time overthinking, and second guessing!

 

[GwenP]

I put this is the Spring (Landscape) category. On the Better Photo site I titled it Condo Livin's Lookin Good. Thoughts about correct category?