"...everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt."~Sylvia Plath

Today, this quote speaks volumes to me-

as I stay up late and get up early to work on my submissions for this year's Professional Photographers of America's 2012 Competition.

Next weekend is my state competition for Virginia PPA where I can enter six of my best photos -  then four images will go on to the District where they will be judged on a higher level and then four images will ultimately sent on to  PPA's International Photographic Competion where we can't to definitely excel.

My second year competing. As many of you know- I was fortunate to win many awards last year that included the Best of Show, Best Pet category and Kodak Gallery Award.

What a surprise that I did so well my first time entering!This boosted my confidence immensely.

But I couldn't have done it with out the support and encouragement of all my fellow colleagues and peers.  They gave me the input I needed to succeed and I can't thank them enough.

Last year, I spent countless hours late into the night spanning over a couple weeks, agonizing over what images are the best.

Which six images 'revealed some measure of all 12 elements" of a merit image??:

Impact, Technical excellence, Creativity, Style, Composition, Presentation, Color Balance, Center of Interest, Lighting, Subject Matter, Technique, and Story Telling

Thanks to my experience from last year, I feel a bit more confident about what touches on all 12 elements but again I'm not sure if I'm right.

SELF-DOUBT creeps in and tries to take over - I need to finish up these images today so I can get them ordered.

WHICH SIX PHOTOS ARE MY BEST?!

Going to have to fight that enemy.

I will succeed!

***

E-n-E Photography, Images by Erin L. Clark

CONTACT ERIN:

images@enephoto.com

www.enephoto.com

757-472-2955