2004 Winners

Below you will find a selection of entries and scores listed for the photos that advanced to the "final round" of judging this year. This information is being shared at the request of many of you who have emailed suggestions or placed comments in our suggestion box during the event, asking for the scores. Hopefully, the information will provide insight regarding just how close many of entries were, and how well those final entries scored.

For those who may not be aware, each entry (which bears a unique ID number) is placed by its owner into an appropriate category: Landscape, Flora, Wildlife, People in Nature, and Abstract (a separate Photographer's Choice--which is an "open" category--is voted by the contestants). At this point, all slides that are designated for the five main categories are separated by either Adult Division and Junior Division, as well as by category.

All entries then enter what we call the first judging round. This phase is where it is determined by our five judges and two Park Naturalists as to whether or not an entry advances to the "final round." Due to the number of entries (5 per photographer and nearly 100 photographers this year), it is impossible to grade and assign and numbered score to every entry in the time restraints of a "weekend event" such as this. Although it would be nice for every entry to have a "score number," it is more practical to use the judges' time to grade those entries that will be contenders for prizes.

FINAL ROUND--After each judge separately scores an entry in four grading areas (which are outlined in the rules: Composition, Overall Exposure, Originality, and Degree of Difficulty), the entry is tallied by two score auditors who enter the data into a spreadsheet program. These scores later identify each "Category Winner." A "Category Winner" is the entry having the single highest score in a particular category--regardless of Division at this time.

These final scores, however, also identify the top three highest scores in both the Adult Division and Junior Division, which ensures that both adults and students are not unfairly competing against each other. This separation also provides recognition to both age groups.

We hope that by providing this requested information, we will make "Shoot the Hills" an even better contest to enter.

Our appreciation is extended to all who entered the contest and supported this fundraising activity of the Friends of the Hocking Hills State Park. Congratuations to all the finalists!