Evening star., 1952-06-29
By Alexander J. Wedderburn
curotor Of Photography
The Smithsonian Institution


Now that we have had a chance
to look at some of the entries in
this years snapshot contest, which
is sponsored locally by The Star,
We are ready to give first-hand
report and a number Of tips which
we hope will help you in the COM
ing weeks.
One thing is already apparent.
There are a large number of citi-
Eens who are really determined to
win one or more of the prizes
one way or another. The quality
of the snapshots sent in this year
is better for one thing. Competi-
tors are not content to send in
just one print per week. Many
are sending in five or more entries
in several classes. and keeping up
the pace week after week.
Now you can't win an award by
simply bombarding the judges
with large numbers of snapshots
of questionable quality, but if
your work is good your chances
of winning increase with the num-
ber of classes you enter. We are
glad to clarity this point because
In the past there has been some
misunderstanding in regard to the
number of prints and the number |
of classes that one person could
enter. Bear this in mind: You
can send in as many entries each
week as you wish and in one, two,
three or all four of the classes.
Better Quality Entries.
Take a look at the first weeks
winners which appear in the Pic
torial Magazine and you will un-
derstand the reference to better
quality entries this year. So far
the judges have had tough time
deciding the top pictures in each
class because Of the generally
higher level Of work submitted. A
close examination of the award
winners each week will give you a |
pretty good idea of what to shoot
for in the future. We don't sug-
gest by any means that you copy
or initiate pictures that have al
ready won awards. On the con-
trary. try to make your pictures
as different as possible. You can
learn something about picture
quality in the way of lighting,
composition, subjects, ETC., by COM
pairing your snapshots with those
chosen by the judges.
Perhaps you will see at once why
your pictures aren't quite as good
or you may discover that you have
one or more shots that are better.
In the latter case, send in your
snapshots right away and keep
your eyes peeled for the winners
whose prints will appear in later
issues Of this paper. Should you
feel that the snapshots that you
have are not quite up to the stand
ard set by previous winners, take /
JOAA SoAA4C1 q OOo d14O 11dAS SOkI1G
better ones.
There have been some fine pic
lures sent in so far in the babies
and children" class. And this is
as 1t should be because every one
is interested in youngsters. Watch
any child long enough and you will
catch him in some appealing situa-
tion well suited to this contest
category. Although portraits are
acceptable we suggest that you try
for shots that portray the baby or |,
child engaged in some activity. /
This will give an added interest to
the picture.
Short on Still Life.
The less personal control you
exercise over the youngster the
better your chances of swapping
q prize winner. Just turn him
loose. indoors or out, with his
favorite toys or pet and allow him
to do just as he wishes. You stay
in the background with your
camera and be alert to make your
shot whenever an amusing or in
tereSting situation occurs. The /
worst possible thing you can do |
is to poster the poor child and
urge him to do this or that. An