Working the Lenawee County Fair

Every year, young people and adults test their skills and talents by entering many different competitions at the Lenawee County Fair. The experience, especially for the 4-H youth, is enhanced by talking to an experienced judge about ways to improve their work.A well-organized and aesthetically pleasing exhibit makes the viewing of projects enjoyable for the many visitors who wander the barns and exhibit buildings during fair week. Volunteers to judge and organize exhibits are a valuable commodity for the Fair Board and staff.This year Monica Andrews was asked to coordinate the photography building. The Tecumseh resident was responsible for organizing and beautifying the building, and for finding a judge to review submissions from 4-H students as well as adults and youth entering the open class competition.After years of showing animals at the Lenawee County fair as a member of 4-H, this year Andrews saw a different side of the fair. She said the experience has been enjoyable and intimidating.“It’s a big undertaking,” Andrews said. “Photography is a very popular activity right now. We had five hundred ten submissions in thirty-one categories.”Andrews contacted Tecumseh photographer Gregg Brindamour to be the judge. Brindamour said he has been a 4-H judge for photography for the past eight or nine years, but this was his first time judging open class submissions.Part of the experience for 4-H students is presenting their work in person to the judge and getting feedback on their projects. Brindamour liked the one-on-one time he had with young people.“I enjoy teaching the kids something,” said Brindamour. “When they bring their images up to me, I give them praise for what they do right, and make suggestions on ways to improve their work.”The young photographers Brindamour encountered during judging all hoped to go home with a blue ribbon, but some were just as excited to share their photographs. Of the 50 to 75 students who came through last week, he found those with a true passion for photography generally were more talkative.“They wanted me to like what they showed me,” Brindamour said.He was happy to share his experience as a photographer with the young people whose work he judged. After 42 years, Brindamour has learned many different techniques to taking and displaying photographs.“One of the main things I talk to most of them about is creative cropping,” he said. “I tell them they don’t have to print the whole picture.”Using paper to cover up parts of the image, Brindamour was able to show students how cropping can change the whole look of a photograph, and intensify the original shot. He recommended to the less experienced photographers the importance of learning everything their cameras can do. Better photographs come through knowledge of all the camera settings as well as how each setting can change the look of the photograph, he said.The mounting and display of photos is very important. A photograph with great composition loses points in fair competition for poor display.“Presentation is huge,” said Brindamour. “If it’s messy, it takes away from the image. Presentation must be clean.”Another area Brindamour talked about with young photographers was lighting. Different lighting affects the mood of a photograph. He recommended students, especially those working with still life or landscape, take photographs of their subject in many different lights, inside and out, and at different times of the day.Photography is Brindamour’s career and Andrews’ hobby. Both appreciate the work and talent required in photography.“I enjoy the judging,” Brindamour said. “I enjoy looking at all the images.”“It’s fun to meet new people,” said Andrews. “There is some real talent in this county.”Next year, Andrews and Brindamour hope the Fair Board considers adding at least one more judge for photography. More judges would give 4-H students more time for feedback.The Lenawee County Fair runs through August 1 at the fairgrounds in Adrian. For more information visit www.lenfair.com.

Tecumseh Herald

 

110 E. Logan St.
P.O. Box 218
Tecumseh, MI 49286
517-423-2174
800-832-6443

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