My IPC 2016 Challenge Entry: mandalas (a non-event album)

When I teach about photographic competition, I talk about utilizing it to challenge myself to learn a new skill, or improve upon a skill that I’m having trouble wrapping my head around. This year was no different. When I create a competition entry to specifically address a personal/skill weakness, I call it a “Challenge Entry”. …

Countdown to IPC 2016; What’s in *YOUR* Case?

  ***NOT SAFE for IPC 2016 JUDGES!!!!*** ***I repeat, if you are an IPC 2016 Juror, you need to turn back now!!!*** Well, howdy there! How have you been? If your life is anything like mine – you’ve been so busy you haven’t been able to take a breath. Or get your IPC entries done. …

Be more brave – Photographic competition and personal work

It’s been awhile. You and I. It’s almost like we’re having an affair, with how little we meet these days. I can give you all kinds of blah blah, but the honest truth is that I’ve been afraid. I’ve come to recognize that my hands are an extension of my heart when they’re poised over …

UPDATED! IPC 2016: Changes to the Photographic Competition Judging Process

***** Update Notes are italicized (thanks Dan & Francie for clarification help).***** As I write about photographic competition topics, I will put them under a header of IPC with whatever “competition year” we are in. That means that this topic pertains to anything that is going on from approximately September 1 through August 31, depending …

My ASP Educational Associate Degree Process & Thesis

Just the other night, I received the incredible honor of being conferred the 42nd Educational Associate Degree of the American Society of Photographers. Ella Carlson and I were #41 and #42, and in true Hitchhiker fashion, I requested #42 as my very own. Thank you Rick Trummer for granting that crazy little request. I’ve been …

IUSA 2016: Please put the ceremonies on your schedule

*of note; go ahead and take this article with a huge grain of salt, if you wish. I am being honored several times myself and have a vested interest in the topic. However, since personal experience is the basis for most of what I write, it is what it is. Something that I’ve noticed about …

Prepping for IUSA 2016

Are you ready? For some reason, it’s really crept up on me this year, how about you? I finally did the dreaded IUSA gown-shopping trip today and in the midst of all the dress-trying-on frenzy, I wound up getting excited. I don’t know what it is, but this year… maybe it’s because it’s so close …

Mentoring with Kelly – Session #1

A behind-the-scenes look at my online private mentoring… Today I had an appointment with a new mentee, Kelly, from Ohio and she was gracious enough to agree to let me blog about her mentoring progress. I thought it would be nice to use a real-life example of a student’s mentoring session – so mucho big …

See the Difference: From MWAC to M.Photog.

*MWAC = Mom with a camera, M. Photog. = Master Photographer I am impressed by befores and afters. If someone is trying to convince me of the results and effectiveness of their methods or system, I want proof. Just like the diet and exercise infomercials, it’s all just blah blah blah until I see the …

IPC 2015: Diamond – The Goal I Didn’t Reach

So. here we are. Are we going to do that awkward dance around the subject? Nah. Earlier this year, I made it public that my personal goal for IPC was to “go Diamond.” Original article HERE. That did not happen. Now, I’m not going to beat myself up about it, I came pretty close, with …