Prints, Prints & More Prints . . .
July/26/2007 PPA
Ever wonder what it takes to select the incredible print show that comprises the International Print Exhibition at PPA's Imaging USA national convention? It starts with a committed group of judges that I was privileged to serve with at the national judging, which concluded yesterday at the Daytona Beach Community College Photography Department. Here we are getting set for our official photograph.
It also takes the dedication of a huge number of dedicated volunteers who hour-after-hour sort, handle, and record print results . . . not to mention setting up and tearing down the various sets of judging apparatus.
Of all the volunteers, no one rose to the occasion better than Helen Yancy, who as vice chairman of the Print Exhibition Committee, stepped in to fill the shoes of PEC chairman Buddy Stewart, whose bad luck it was to wind up in the hospital on the eve of the event. That meant double duty for Helen, who had to split her time between teaching the Judge's Workshop and serving as Overall Jury Chairman for the print competition. I was extremely proud of the judges and incredible volunteers who pitched in to help out, but especially of the always-amazing Helen, who was the perfect commander-in-chief . . . constantly in touch with Buddy, whose presence was sorely missed.
This was my first opportunity to serve on a judging panel for many years. I had to temporarily retire from print competition until my PPA leadership responsibilities were finished. It was just wonderful to view the astonishing array of images in the 5,000-print competition, and SO exciting to have three of my images receive Merits. It was a potent reminder to me of how valuable print competition is for photographers at any level: if you're a new photographer it provides you with a direction to improve the quality of your photography; and if you've been around for a long time like I have . . . it helps you to challenge yourself to keep on achieving.
A very successful photographer once told me that he strives to hang regular customer work in the competition every year because doing so assures him that his clients are receiving the best possible products he can create for them. For this reason and many more, I'll always consider the International Print Competition to be one of our industry's greatest opportunities for personal growth. I hope you'll take the time to view the entire print exhibition at ImagingUSA on Jaunary 6-8 in Tampa, FL. I'm getting my hotel reservations now, as PPA expects room blocks to go fast . . . just as they did last for last January's convention.
It also takes the dedication of a huge number of dedicated volunteers who hour-after-hour sort, handle, and record print results . . . not to mention setting up and tearing down the various sets of judging apparatus.
Of all the volunteers, no one rose to the occasion better than Helen Yancy, who as vice chairman of the Print Exhibition Committee, stepped in to fill the shoes of PEC chairman Buddy Stewart, whose bad luck it was to wind up in the hospital on the eve of the event. That meant double duty for Helen, who had to split her time between teaching the Judge's Workshop and serving as Overall Jury Chairman for the print competition. I was extremely proud of the judges and incredible volunteers who pitched in to help out, but especially of the always-amazing Helen, who was the perfect commander-in-chief . . . constantly in touch with Buddy, whose presence was sorely missed.
This was my first opportunity to serve on a judging panel for many years. I had to temporarily retire from print competition until my PPA leadership responsibilities were finished. It was just wonderful to view the astonishing array of images in the 5,000-print competition, and SO exciting to have three of my images receive Merits. It was a potent reminder to me of how valuable print competition is for photographers at any level: if you're a new photographer it provides you with a direction to improve the quality of your photography; and if you've been around for a long time like I have . . . it helps you to challenge yourself to keep on achieving.
A very successful photographer once told me that he strives to hang regular customer work in the competition every year because doing so assures him that his clients are receiving the best possible products he can create for them. For this reason and many more, I'll always consider the International Print Competition to be one of our industry's greatest opportunities for personal growth. I hope you'll take the time to view the entire print exhibition at ImagingUSA on Jaunary 6-8 in Tampa, FL. I'm getting my hotel reservations now, as PPA expects room blocks to go fast . . . just as they did last for last January's convention.