What do judges look for when choosing the best photos?

Question:If you have judged before, can you offer any advice?

This question is intended to help others.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: If you have judged before, can you offer any advice?

This question is intended to help others.

Here is a link to a pdf file with quite specific guidelines for the judges of a camera club.

Composition.

The ability to see what the photographer wanted you to see.

Whether of not the main subject stands out.

Are there distracting things in the background.

The correct level of exposure.

Depth of field.

Sharpness (where it is important)

White balance.

Just a few things that my photog teacher judged on our assignments.

It really depends on the level of skill of the photographers in the competition.

If they are experienced, then I am more critical of the basics and look for something in the image that stands out. Focus must be crisp and clear, exposure must be spot on and composition must be something memorable.

If amatuers or beginners, then I look for the ones that show a good grasp of basics.