Today I skipped out on the morning session to go to church. I got the entire afternoon of great speakers though. On Day 2 though, they put up all the prints that won awards, prints that got really close and just overall all the “Exhibited Prints”. Last year I had one 78, one 77, two 76s and two 74s. The threshold for “good” is 80. It’s NOT easy getting an 80. I was thrilled with my last year’s scores because I totally didn’t know what I was doing. Not even what the judges were looking for. None were displayed. 🙁
This year though, I walked in and saw one of my prints on display!! 🙂 Woohoo! Then, I walked around a bit and saw a second on display. As I kept walking, I saw a third on display! Woohoo!! Three of my six prints were on display! I was SOOOO excited!
Now being on display doesn’t mean they won anything, but that they are 80 or above … or really close to 80. 80 also gets you merits. Merits are like “credits” in the photographic industy — like continuing education credits. They are good if you are going for certification or something like that… which I will do once I get an 80!
So, no 80 for me … but THREE 79s!!
Now I hear photographers say that’s just a kick in the pants, but for a 2nd year photographer to get THREE 79s at print competition with peers ACROSS the state of NC, I’m thrilled!! I was ecstatic to get 79s AND to be on display! Woohoo!!