the Center for Colorado Fine Art Photography in Ft Collins, CO is holding a Call for Entries for photography. this being only 30 miles from my home, I am looking into it. I am going to go see what "they consider fine art photography," since that seems to be different to many different people.
My only problem with this and other contests like it are that they ask for an entry fee, just to have your piece juried and evaluated ($35 in this case) to see if they will consider it. Anyone gone through this process and what are your experiences?
It is an international contest also.
I have been through a similar process, but not in a display gallery concept. I have entered several juried competitions that have an entry fee like this one. The entry fee does not guarantee your entry into the final judging. Everything is sorted prior to that, and you could get tossed early.
For what its worth, I think you should enter this. All you have to lose is $35. If you are lucky, you will get displayed. If you get tossed early, you may get some sort of feedback as to why.. I'm not sure how they would handle that.
Almost any reputable art gallery will charge a jury fee similar to that. I've entered several and have displayed my work all over the country. To me, it was worth the cost because it helped me build up my resume as an artist, which helped me then get accepted by a couple of stock photography agencies. If you see the kind of work they normally display and you think your work is a good fit with what they're looking for, it's probably not a bad investment. The key is being able to discern if your work is what they're looking for ahead of time. If you can look at your work objectively and say "yeah, I can see this hanging alongside of the other artwork in the gallery", you should go for it. :)
I've entered many art shows with my glass that have a jury fee. This is the norm for any reputable show of this sort.
My experience is that you do not receive feedback why you were not selected. Most shows of any size have 100's of entrys and the judges have seconds, that's right, seconds to evaluate what they are choosing in the initial run through.
So work that does not stand out immediately probably will be passed over.
FOLLOW UP STARTING HERE So I am trying to decide on (probably) 2 photos for entries into this. I have 12 I am thinking on (and a 3-4 favorites), posted here and would like any input as to what others find appealing. I am in hopes that this will help me decide on 2 (maybe 3).
Remember that this is a FINE Art Photography Contest (whatever that means). LOL
Pre-THANKS!!
The index of course is linked to the larger picture. I made the larger picture fairly big and high quality (around 400kb-1MB in size).
Anyone else doing this one?
I have no idea what fine art means but I can tell you that my favorite photos are the Old Thresher's Day ones not including the close up of the wheel. The panoramic shot and the conoco are fantastic.
The problem with many of these so called "photo contests" is in the fine print. Be sure to read the part that says something like (I generalize here)"Once we have your photo, we can use it for whatever we darn well please, without compensation. Originals will not be returned unless pre-paid postage... (for slides or prints.....).
A lot of these contests are merely a way to get free photography at a very minimal fee.
If you don't mind "paying your dues" - go for it. Otherwise, be careful.
It is an actual building and art gallery (is 30 minutes from where I live). So, I am able to pick up my prints. I read all that. It has a place on the entry form to donate the print for auction (they are non-profit). So, we shall see. Have to make up my mind what to enter first, though. (C:
thanks for the warning and thanks Jason...I love alot of those from Old Threshers, but then again I am a hick and grew up around that stuff. (C: The thing is, if they have a more MASS appeal (even though the thing is judged by one woman), and I always just get the impression that these things are snooty.
I really like (reading the thumbnails left to right....) 1, 4, and 5 but not necessarily in that order. I think I like 4 and 5 best, but then ... I still like #1 :P
I am no expert, and I have no idea what kind of "fine art" they are looking for, but I personally like the one with the man playing the station attendant. The colors are vibrant and it almost looks like an old photo super-colorized. I hope this helps. :)
I also like the last one with the sun behind the plant, the b&w close up of the wheel, and the one with the trees (the second one... the one on the right)
