According to Juror Peter Howe: “Early Morning, After Dark: Dawn’s First Light to Dusk’s Last is a broad topic for a photographer to undertake. This has both advantages and disadvantages.

On the plus side it allows for an almost inexhaustible range of subject matter. The downside is that it makes it difficult for the photographer to focus his or her creativity into one area that adequately represents the theme. There are, however, some guidelines that I think may help.

As I’m sure you might know the word photography comes from the Greek for “writing with light”, and light has to be a strong component of any submission. Another point to remember is that the Call for Entry includes the phrase, “After Dark”, and that light doesn’t disappear at dusk but it does take on different characteristics. You should consider, one, or both of these times of light for this Call for Entry and what will prove to be a most interesting exhibition.”

“On the occasions that I’ve taught students I’ve tried to instill in them two ideas that may be useful in your selecting images. The first and foremost is that photography is not an intellectual medium but an emotional one. It can’t tell you why something happened, but it can show you what it felt like when it happened better than any other medium. Unless the photographer can harness the viewer’s emotions there’s really little point in taking the photograph. I also firmly believe that photographing what you know and understand generally produces more profoundly moving images than trying to capture something you’ve never experienced before and know little about. The most successful photographers are the ones who know and comprehend their subject matter. This doesn’t mean you only have to shoot in your hometown, although there’s a wealth of material waiting for you there if you do.”

“The great tennis player, Arthur Ashe, once said: “Start where you are; use what you have; do what you can.” This is good advice for those holding a camera as much as it is for those with a racquet in their hands. Good luck (because every photographer needs a little of that as well) and I’m looking forward to seeing the results.”