Best Inkjet Paper for State Fair and Local Fair Photo Competitions

Hundreds of people enter the photography contest each year, and the large display gives you an idea of how many different perspectives there are in photographic art.

Start with the goal of maximizing saturation, contrast, and sharpness. Since the judges cannot spend much time with each entry, you want visual impact at a glance. If you happen to win, you should then consider the lighting of the display, which will probably not be great. Choose papers that maximize reflected light. Brighter white papers are a plus. The human eye is attracted to brighter objects, and bright white is visually more appealing to most observers. Consider 68lb. UltraPro Gloss 2.0, Polar Gloss Metallic 255 (formerly 66lb. Polar Pearl Metallic) because glossy stocks reflect the maximum amount of light. Polar Gloss Metallic 255 is a warmer paper (not bright white). However, photo metallic effect is an eye-stopper and guarantees attention. If you want a bit of subtlety, 66lb. Arctic Polar Satin is a good choice. It features the same coating as a photobase glossy with a slight textured surface.

Here are some tips for getting the best photos for entry into competitions:

Shoot from different angles. Get on a ladder or lay on the ground. Make your shooting angle different from what we see every day when walking around. A different perspective will capture attention and make your image stand out in the crowd.

Follow the rules. Read and follow the rules to the letter. If you turn in an image presentation that does not meet all of the requirements it will not be judged.

Use impact. Compelling images evoke emotion and draw the eye to where you intend the viewer to look.

Have a sense of purpose. Know what you want before you start shooting. Having a plan and goals in mind will focus your efforts and yield better results.

Technical skill. Get the basics right - sharpness, exposure, printing, mounting, and correct color. Once you a proficient technical shooter, which is not all that hard, you can put your energy into the creative side of photography.

Presentation. The mats and borders used, either physical or digital, should support and enhance the image, not distract from it.

Be conscious of your background. Before you zoom in and shoot, zoom out and look at your background. Look for colors or shapes that could be a distraction. On the other hand, some backgrounds can make an image if the color pallet, blur, or contrast makes your subject really pop.

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Last updated: September 13, 2019