Distinction Tips

Print panels look so much better if they are mounted in a uniform manner and then laid out in a way which presents the Panel as a cohesive set of images. This does not mean that you need to have a set on the same subject, or keep all colour or all mono etc. You can mix the subjects and medium but it often makes it easier to get the prints to hang together to look like one person’s work if the panel does not cover a wide selection of style and subject matter.

We, the assessors, need to believe that thought has gone into producing a Panel rather than feeling the author has ‘taken images out of their stock of old images and sent them in without thought of the essential ingredient of putting them together as an application for a distinction’.

If there is a very good reason why you cannot mount the images, or have them mounted, then we will of course take this into consideration. But there is little doubt that a deliberately chosen, thoughtful mounting style to enhance the impression of a well presented set, goes quite a long way towards a successful result.

Layout with pictures: facing inwards; powerful centre images; balanced tonal contrast; vertical as well as horizontal format; matching images, etc., all help to make the prints “hang together”.

In the case of Slides or Projected Images this does not come into the equation in the same way but the “Sequence” can be as important as the “Layout” in that each should complement and not compete against the one before or after. This can be done using colour, tones, as well as subject, to provide a “flow” through, or a “story”, or an “idea”.

Try putting images into “Text boxes” on your computer. Lay them on a landscape format page, move them around and see for yourself what this does to the impression of the set. Or put them into a “Sequence” to see the “flow” of the images.

If anyone would like help or advice on any of the above, I would be pleased to help. Please contact me by phone, letter, or email.

The standard is set at that which is high enough to be respected at each level and something to “aim for”.

I honestly believe everyone learns a lot from going for Distinctions and each level means stretching yourself, lifting your own standard to achieve a higher level – but the thrill you get from success is well worth the effort.

We have wonderful work submitted at all the levels and accept applications with a panel of prints, projected images and ,now, published books applications which have been submitted and been awarded distinctions including an Associateship.

The satisfaction and pleasure gained from success in being awarded a Distinction is hard to describe but it is a great way to push yourself to improve your photography and offers a challenge and a direction which has to experienced to be appreciated.

So why not set yourself the challenge as you will get a lot from it and will have support and help which in itself is aimed at guiding you to see your own photography in a different way.

All those who have work for possible applications or had hoped to bring work to the Distinctions day can of course contact me directly and I will be happy to email, or talk on the phone about images sent by email or posted to me.

Please email: dragonpix56@gmail.com for further help.