How the Salon Entries are Judged.

For the record, this is how the judging will organised.for 2021.

There are six judges who donate their time to the North Shore Salon of Photography, and all selection of images is done by the judges, without interference or influence by the organising committee. Normally, a previous winner is invited to be on the judging panel. In principle, the panel will consist of two people who are professional photographers, two people who are PSNZ accredited judges, and two people with an arts (not necessarily photographic art) background. Sometimes this balance is impossible to achieve, but nevertheless, it is what we strive for. Naturally, judges are not eligible to enter the competition.

For each category, the digital files are arranged into a computer-generated random sequence, and all identifying data is removed from them. The judges download a computer program from the website.  This program then downloads the images to be judged.  During the judging process the photographs are displayed, with their title, at the maximum resolution available on their equipment, and given a score from 1 to 9 by the judge. The software gives the judges the ability to view and review and compare the images in several ways, allowing for careful assessment and re-assessment.  The scores are returned to our computer system across the internet.

When all the scores have been returned, the scores are analysed, and images with a wide discrepancy in the marks beteen the judges are identified.  Any images thus identified will be saved for re-assessment on judging day.

On Judging Day any images saved because of marking discrepancies will be reviewed by the judges in discussion, and the points re-evaluated if necessary.  Then the computer will sort the images into sequence of total points, and the awards allocated accordingly.  The judges will review and adjust the awards in conference.

The judging of prints is done according to the same principles, but everything happens on judging day.  What happens is that the prints are arranged on viewing racks in the computer-generated random sequence, one category at a time.  The judges walk along the racks with a clipboard marking each print with a score between 1 and 9.  They will not discuss the prints with other judges until all scoring is finished.  Each judge will have a helper who can pick up prints for the judge to inspect closer, or to mitigate adverse lighting.  Judges are not allowed to touch the prints themselves.  Members of the Salon committee will then enter the scores from the clipboard sheets, and the computer will sort the images according to score.

The judges will review and adjust the awards in conference.

Finally, when all the medals for all categories have been decided, the judges choose the image which is to receive the Salon Trophy.