Utah State Fair | Judging Photography

The Utah State Fair wrapped up its final evening of the 2014 season on Sunday.  But, before it closed its figurative doors, I had the pleasure of being a part of it.  Not as a fair-goer, but as a Judge for the photography exhibit.

How cool is that?!  I got to to be a little piece of the American time-honored tradition that is *the state fair*.  State Fairs — which can admit over a million people over the course of their runs — were originally designed to promote and celebrate excellence in agricultural commodities across the state, but nowadays competitions include a wide variety of products, including fine arts, livestock, produce, cooking, and high school jazz bands.  The first Utah State Fair was held October 2–4, 1856, and early winners included Brigham Young himself!

When I was asked to judge 2014’s photography exhibit, I was a little… surprised, to be honest.  For sure, I am a full-time, professional photographer.  But I’m not sure how that fact lands me capable of judging other people’s work, be it images from a professional photographer 40 years in the business or an 8-year-old really proud of his point-and-shoot capture of a backyard flower.  But I never shy away from a new experience, particularly one where I can meet new people and learn cool stuff, so when I realized I had ‘judgement day’ (per se) free on my calendar, I jumped in with both feet.

So, a couple weeks ago, I parked my car on the nearly deserted fairgrounds and stepped through various empty corn dog, funnel cake, and shaved ice stands to find the main building on the property.  Inside, on the second story, was a sky-high ceiling, beautiful natural light, huge chandeliers — and an enormous photography exhibit set up for our (the four judges) viewing & analytic pleasure.  The judging took 8 hours: there were categories for which we were each individually responsible, and other categories set up to encourage a lively debate among 2, 3, or all 4 judges until we came to a consensus about the ranking of the pieces.  In total, there were 1400 images under review (phew!).

When I agreed to judge, I thought a lot about my own role in the process, but I hadn’t really considered that there’d be other judges.  I mean, I knew there would be; but I hadn’t thought that it would impact me.  At the end of this experience, it was spending the day with these other people that was most fascinating. I got to see how each of these extremely talented people regard another person’s work.  I witnessed their immediate, real-time reactions to work put in front of their curious, thoughtful, discerning faces.  We got to debate the merits of various images, which gave me a front-row seat to other photographer’s perspectives on their craft (what they value and prioritize in an image).  And, I got to talk shop all day long with other shooters (ummm, awesome).  All in all, I learned a lot by seeing my own industry through other people’s eyes.

Here’s a little info about the fellow judges that inspired me that day.  Please find below a sample image from their work and a few tidbits from their websites.

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DAVE BREWER (photographer & founder of the SLC Photo Collective)

“I remember at a very young age, I came across an old Polaroid camera in my dad’s closet, and although it sounds like such a cliche story, I just remember using my dad’s camera to create my very first images. At that time, I didn’t set out to find a style or to shoot a specific subject matter. I just took pictures of everything. But I started to notice that even at an early age, I was fascinated by being able to capture subjects in motion. I have a bunch of early prints of my friends jumping on the trampoline, skateboarding and snowboarding.”

Dave received his BFA from the University of Utah in Photography and Digital Imaging, and his founding of the SLC Photo Collective has changed the climate of artistic collaboration among the Utah photography scene.

Van Chu (celebrated fine art photographer)

Van Chu’s photographic artworks carry the spirit of traditional Chinese painting but combined with the use of modern technology, acrylic, water and calligraphy ink, they depict a portrait of the artist himself as an outsider on the American shore, while giving tradition a breath of fresh air, determining to connect what came before us and what is yet to come.

Van Chu, a Vietnamese artist who came to the United States in 2001, got his MFA from the University of Utah in 2010 in Digital Imaging/Photography. His works have been in exhibitions across the country from Los Angeles to New York City, juried by such curators including: Maura Lynch, assistant curator of drawings at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in NYC; Nathan Trotman, associate curator at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum; Samantha Rippner, curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Christiane Paul from the Whitney Museum of American Art. Van Chu has also been the recipient of multiple first place awards from high profile curators such as Elisabeth Sussman from the Whitney Museum of American Art, Lauren Hinkson from the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Felice Frankel from Harvard University.

Arthur Healey (The Director of the Photography Exhibit)

An experienced designer and proven creative. An innovative thinker with a strong work ethic, highly motivated, problem solver, and a passion for details. An award winning designer always seeking improvement. A knowledge and understanding of materials, finishes, textures, layout, photography, photo editing and product management.

Carley Throgmorton (makeup and hair artist; nominated for NAHA Newcomer of the Year 2014)

“Despite her sweet demeanor and bubbly personality, Throgmorton is fiercely ambitious and a tireless worker, setting her sights on the most prestigious of competitions and editorial placements. While her schedule is surely busy as of late, the in-demand stylist also manages to make time for charity work and motivational speaking, using her newfound high profile to give back to her community.”  Carley was also selected to be an ambassador & educator for MATRIX/L’Oreal.  As such, she participated in a campaign for MATRIX called Spread the Love, in which she traveled extensively to share the message of the Matrix brand.

(photo by Keith Bryce)