4-H photography judging and county fair coverage

         I enjoyed the opportunity to judge 4-H photography at the Southern Iowa Fair in Oskaloosa on Saturday, July 13.
           This year for the first time Debbie came along with me as she had to drive. With my back surgery, I’m not yet getting behind the wheel.
            This is my 13th year to judge 4-H photography in the last 14 years.
            I started my 4-H photography judging experience in 2012 at the Southern Iowa Fair. I remember the experience well.
           I was shaking like a leaf on a tree during a wind storm and struggled to judge some photographs. In fact, on a few occasions, I had to ask for help from a couple other judges.
         What made it more intimidating is one judge, a studio photographer from Southern Iowa, showed up with a small table easel and a rule of thirds marker. I showed up with a love for photography and heart to try this new experience.
          I do remember one young 4-H’er who had photo she had taken from the back of a motorboat with a person skiing. It was terribly out of focus and I said that to her and she proceeded to tell me that it wasn’t out of focus. It was obvious that it was out of focus, but she continued to argue with me.
            Looking back, I should have given her a white ribbon, but I was new and trying my best. I ended up giving her a blue ribbon. I typically give 4-H’ers with out of focus photos a red ribbon.
         It was Kathy Lents, the former Poweshiek County Extension Director, who got me started as photography judge.
          I have since judged in Mahaska County (3 times), Keokuk County Expo (2 times), Washington County (3 times), Poweshiek County (2 times), Warren County (1 time), Marion County (1 time), Iowa County (2 times), Linn County (2 times and Benton County (2 times). I have also judged open class in Iowa County twice and Poweshiek County for about 10 years.
            I had a chance to judge in Polk County this year, but turned it down due to my back surgery and the travel time from Montezuma to Des Moines.
           In 2019, I judged 4-H photography at the Iowa State Fair. That was a great experience, but I’m not wanting to try that again as I enjoy talking with the 4-H’ers. Judges don’t get that opportunity at the ISF.
           The one area that I believe 4-H’ers need to work on is the write ups. Most need more detail other than, “I just wanted to take a great photo.”
           It was hot and it was a long day at the Southern Iowa Fair, but a good day. I met some wonderful 4-H’ers and saw some great work. I pulled 18 photos out and gave the 4-H’er a purple ribbon and the opportunity to be considered for the Iowa State Fair. Of those, four moved on to the ISF at the end of the day.
            Each county has a limit to how many 4-H photos can be submitted at the ISF. There is a 10 photo limit for the Southern Iowa Fair and the same 4-H’er can only have one photo. I believe each 4-H’er can send no more than two projects to the fair. For instance, a photo and a woodworking project.
Moving on
           And for the first time in 26 years, I did not cover the Poweshiek County Fair or take photos of a hog show, something I’ve done every year since moving here.
During that time, there were two years that I took a brief retirement from the news business (2016, 2017), but I still covered the Poweshiek County Fair hog show.
            I love photographing hogs, swine or pigs, whatever you want to call them.
           I remember one year, this young show person stood at the backdrop holding her banners while two fathers tried to corral the onery hog to get in-line. It took a while, but I got the photo.
The first year I photographed hogs was in 1998 at the Iowa County Fair. It was an afternoon show and for some reason, the powers that be decided to skip the photos at the end of each class and bring all the hogs back to the showring after dark for photos. That was a train wreck waiting to happen. 
           Those hogs were tired and it was late and they had no desire to have a photo taken at 9 p.m. So, the hog show organizers got one hog to stand still and I took about 10 photos of prize-winning 4-H’ers with their banners and the same hog.
           That was quite an experience for a new journalist and city boy. I’d never visited a hog house or watched a hog show at the state fair. My closest experience with hogs was eating pork chops and bacon.
            It was a tough decision not to cover the fair this year. With my back surgery, I’m not quite ready. I’m still using a walker outside and have to have some help from Debbie getting around.
I felt it was best to give my body more time to fully heal and come back strong next year.
         I’ve handled the change OK, but have missed being around the kids. To me, that is what the county fair is all about.
           4-H is a wonderful organization where kids learn and grow and I’m glad to be a small part of that in the lives of many Poweshiek County area youth and those who I have judged their photography in other counties.
          Remember that Good Things are Happening, every day and always.