Two years ago, I took a chance. Rather than only enter my photos in local and regional competitions, I tried to go – shall we say – interstate. One picture was shown in a competition in Washington State, another in San Francisco. But I also “whiffed” in a couple of competitions, one of which was my first attempt at competing in the Iowa State Fair. I submitted my entries; they were all returned, all unshown and all unaccepted. GRRRRRRR
Okay. I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and skipped the Iowa State Fair in 2015. Sat out a year like I was a transferring college quarterback. Figured I’d recalibrate myself. I don’t have to enter photos every single year in every single competition. Bide my time…
Okay. Sitout year has ended. Now it’s time to once again try the Iowa State Fair.
I looked at my available choices for entry. Four photos maximum, and they had to be entered in specific categories based on theme or creation. For example, if any of my pictures involve HDR photography, then they must be entered in the HDR category, regardless of subject. If any of my pictures were shot with infrared film, then they must be entered in the infrared category, regardless of subject. There is a category called “Anything Goes,” but I’m not sure they’ll be able to handle my splitfilm or three-dimensional photos. But I do have a picture that might pique their interests.
Today is the first day that they will accept artwork, so…
In the mail today are my four submissions for Iowa. And they are…
STRIPED CUP OF FLOWERS
Why this piece? Of the three “Cup of Flower” photos, this was the only one of the trio that was shot with the High Dynamic Range (“HDR”) technique. Three images – one over-exposed, one under-exposed, one right on point – and then computer-combined to bring out the highlights in all three images. I could have entered this in a flower category, but the rules SPECIFICALLY say that all HDR photos must be entered in this category.
AEROCHROME FALLS
Oh yeah, let’s see anybody else go with a color infrared analogue photograph. Right up there in the Adirondacks. And this one did pick up ribbons at the Big E and at Altamont in 2015… Let’s see if this has one more ribbon left to earn.
JESUS SAVES
This is the photograph I’m entering in the “Anything Goes” category. Pre-distressed Revolog Tesla 2 film. The lightning strikes caressing the original neon of the charity mission sign. Plus, this picture claimed two blue ribbons already (Vermont 2014, Big E 2014), so why not see if it can get some blue ribbon love?
NIAGARA 1970 1995 2016
Splitfilm photo, meet Iowa. Iowa, meet splitfilm photo. This is being entered in the “Anything Goes!” category, so let’s see how this turns out.
Okay. The four images are printed. McGreevy Pro Lab does a great job, for sure. And I just dropped them off in the mail today. Let’s see if this combination of new and old can claim some silks… shall we?
Chuck The Writer 
Good luck. In my opinion, they are all winners!
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If they aren’t accepted, then as my guy S always says, I’d like to see what is accepted. Oftentimes, it’s quite disappointing.
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Our State Fair is a great State Fair. Don’t miss it, don’t even be late.
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Good luck!! Why Iowa though? What attracted you to that particular state fair?
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Pat – one of my blog readers, Bob Burger, recommended I enter the competition a couple of years ago. I tried it, failed, sat out a year to regenerate my energies, and tried again this season. There’s a few other photo competitions I’m entering in 2016 that I’ve entered and skipped in the past… so we shall see how things turn out.
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Ah, I see, thanks! I’m always eager to hear about your competitions. Of course I think ALL your pictures are winners!
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