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‘A Day in the Life

Minnesota 4-H Photography Challenge

2023-2024

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31 total participants

Distribution of Participants

Map:https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/Map_of_Minnesota_counties_blank.svg/5746px-Map_of_Minnesota_counties_blank.svg.png

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Thank you to those that helped with the

Minnesota 4-H ‘A Day in the Life’ Photo Challenge!

Michele Kruse Anne Stevenson

Justin Knutson Carol Skelly

Cora Rost Danielle Wheeler

Gabriel Rysavy Anna Rose

Jillian Bell Lonna Smith

Kimberly Thompson Linda Houglum

MaryAnn Anderson Crystal Reith

Volunteer 4-H Photography Judges

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What is shown in this slideshow?

Submitted images by 4-H members are organized alphabetically by first name. Volunteer photography judges provided feedback for pictures submitted in the photo challenge.

The largest photo on the slide is the photo that had the youth wrote up to two sentences about. That photo was taken into consideration for the overall prizes. Winners randomly selected to receive a prize and the top image in the grade divisions of K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-13 of the challenge are highlighted at the end. There were also two images that the judges felt needed to be recognized for their creativity. Those images are also highlighted at the end.

Thank you for participating and thank you to our volunteer photography judges!!

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Overall feedback from volunteer judges:

Keep your horizon straight.

Minimize distracting backgrounds.

Make sure your photo is in focus.

Watch your lighting. How does it affect the photo?

We hope you print these images and exhibit them at county fair!

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Alexis T, West Otter Tail County, 9th Grade

This photo is important to me because that is our hunting land. I love to go there and walk the trails because it is very beautiful, especially at that time of year.

Judge’s comments: The hunting land photo captures the beauty of the area. Good exposure, getting bright colors. Remember to keep your horizon straight. Nice variety of photos. One with mirror is creative! Beautiful colors in snowy photo.

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Annabelle B, Goodhue County, 1st Grade

I like it because it’s cool!

Judge’s comments: The one with the sun dogs IS cool! Nice to capture these special effects. How you captured buildings as silhouettes add interest. Star effect with sun is creative. Photos in the house show use of lighting-direct (doll) and a background thru curtain. Keep distractions away from the curtain photo (in front) and get closer to subject. Nice close-up of girl.

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Azalya P, Dakota County, 5th Grade

This is my hamster, Nibbles.

Judge’s comments: What an interesting grouping of photos! You are doing a good job of getting up close to your subjects. The trees show interesting shapes. Remember to keep in mind the background, so it is not distracting in the dinosaur photo.

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Brianna O, Crow Wing County

This one is my favorite because I really love sunsets and I think it’s beautiful.

Judge’s comments: This photo of the sunset is beautiful (interesting how the clouds catch the color). It is set off by the dark areas around it! Could you wait for the car to pass (lights)? The other three lane photos are great examples of leading lines. It directs the viewer into your photos. Good close-up of your dog.

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Brita C, South St. Louis County, 8th Grade

This is a photo of my cat, Kissa, in the snow. I like how her dark fur stands out against the snow and how adorable she looks.

Judge’s comments: You captured great photos of your cat. Good exposure, especially on the snow. Remember to eliminate the distracting backgrounds (behind cat and dogs). Get up closer to the leaves. The shell photo is really well done-up close, interesting composition, good use of color.

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Charlotte B, Faribault County, 2nd Grade

Whenever I see the pretty colors in the sky, it reminds me of God painting a picture. It is beautiful!

Judge’s comments: WOW, your sunset photo is striking. You did a nice job of showing off the sky by minimizing the land. Interesting to experiment with Black and White. Does it change how you take a picture? Horizons in photos are straight. People and dog photos are up close. No distractions in the backgrounds-good for you!

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Coralei V, Rice County, 4th Grade

It was the first snow of the season and my backyard looked like a sheet lying on the grass. The last day of the year - goodbye 2023, hello 2024.

Judge’s comments: What a great idea to capture what your world looks like on the last day of the year! Your backyard photo is a great example of dividing your photo into thirds. Remember to take photos up close so there aren’t distraction, and the viewer knows exactly what you are photographing.

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Emmaline G, Crow Wing County, 5th Grade

My goats love hugs and kisses and following me around. My goats and I did really well last year at the fair.

Judge’s comments: It is fun to look at the photos of animals. They are up close (goat and dogs). The bottom middle picture is hard to see the animal because the background tree is dark. Control distractions, behind black and white dog (cabinet) and foot on the sofa and sofa behind the little dog. Get up closer to little dog. Angle of boards with snow with prints is interesting.

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Estelle S, Chisago County, 3rd Grade

I love puzzles and photography. I got the puzzle for Christmas.

Judge’s comments: It is really neat how you chose the puzzle-colorful! Yes, they are fun! The other photos are up close to your subjects, good for you! Interesting variety of subjects-close up of people-I like that you have them at different distances from you, having the color crayon in the photo helps add interest. Food photo is interesting, maybe could focus more on just the food and beverage and eliminate some other items.

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Everdeen G, Crow Wing County, 3rd Grade

My bunny, Gertrude, is cuddly and super soft. I am super excited to show him at county fair this year.

Judge’s comments: I see you like to take photos close up. It is fun to do. You could either take the photo of the bunny closer or move up to see the person and dog too - your choice as the photographer. Photo is in focus. The cat is out of focus, backup a little. You found a nice background for your trophy and medals. Up close and clear so we can see what they are for. Someone is a good ice skater, is it you?

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Ezri P, Dakota County, 5th Grade

I like to draw and sketch with my pencils. The cat I drew in this pictures is a Maine Coon cat.

Judge’s Comments: You use lines very well - the pencil, open book, branches. The photos capture your eye for art. I appreciate the close up of each photo. Keep being creative with your lines.

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Garret R, Murray County, 6th Grade

I love sledding with my family with the 4-wheeler and calf sled. I liked this picture of my mom and brother having fun in the snow, even though it was really cold.

Judge’s comments: When I first looked at your photos I noticed what a good job you did of getting up close to your subjects. You focused on your brother & the photo is sharp. Photo of herd of cows is a good example of rule of thirds. Landscape shows leading lines. Good lighting of cat to show off fur.

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Greta N, Anoka County, 6th Grade

This photo is special to me because it shows how much I love animals and care for them.

Judge’s comments: Nice selection of photos that tell many stories. Nice close up of cat, background is out of focus so we look at the cat. Because of what you included in the three photos, to the right, you tell us many stories. You captured what we need to see. The way you have included pencils makes the viewer feel the person has just stepped away. Maybe a little closer of the person doing a handstand.

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Hadley F, Nobles County, 5th Grade

This is my dog, Wasabi. We have fun together, we play ball & he chases me all the time.

Judge’s Comments: Very nice group of photos, your dog is super cute! I love that you have the whole dog in your photo - not cut off feet or tail. I also like that your pictures are at different angles some low, high and straight on. Keep up the good work.

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Korben B, Goodhue County, K

I like looking out the window.

Judge’s Comments: One of the first things I often tell kids is to move in close (like you did in the pictures of the boy). Look at what you want to take a picture of and then eliminate the extra stuff in the background or around the edges. It would be interesting to take pictures out your window in all four seasons! Keep up the good work.

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Kaiya E, Washington County, 1st Grade

I took a picture of my foil art. I love how shiny they are.

Judge’s Comments: Nice work capturing things around you. You’ve done a good job of moving in close to avoid extra things in your indoor photos and great job using the rule of thirds for your landscape. I think taking a picture of artwork is a great way to preserve your memories of favorite pieces!

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Katie C, Lincoln County, 5th Grade

This photo is important to me because I love to read.

Judge’s Comments: I’m with you on the reading part, that’s a great hobby/skill to last your whole life! Now when taking pictures - you’ve done a great job of moving in close, but let’s make sure you don’t move in too close. I’d like to see all the edges of the books or your animals and instruments. From your picture I wonder did someone cut off the neck of that Cello? I bet not!

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Katy B, Sherburne County, 8th Grade

This picture is very special to me because my two best friends and I saw the Cherry on a Spoon in Minneapolis for our first time on a freezing cold day that was -8 degrees! My friends were freezing, but so happy to see the amazing art so I stood behind them huddle together to capture this perfect memory of spending our day together in Minneapolis!

Judge’s Comments: You did a great job balancing all these photos. Using different angles and the rule of thirds helps tell your story.

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Lauren B, Sherburne County, 5th Grade

This picture is special to me because I took this picture of my sister Katy at a 4-H club meeting during a photography scavenger hunt. I love how this pictures’ leading lines and colors all work together to point towards Katy walking in the snow.

Judge’s Comments:

Like how you captured the deep sleep of winter. The lines make the eyes move - gates, siding, laces and light.

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Layla D, Olmsted County, 4th Grade

My cat, Jack, needs a break from people sometimes. That’s his favorite spot in the house when he’s tired.

Judge’s Comments: I need a spot like Jack’s! Next time take a horizontal picture of him so he takes up more of the picture. Interesting group of pictures - you’ve done a good job of moving in close on all of them. Always watch your background so they are simple unless the items are needed to help tell your story.

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Leighton H, Waseca County, 1st Grade

I like taking pictures of my dog because he is so cute. My dog is really friendly.

Judge’s Comments: I also love taking pictures of my dog! You’ve done a great job picking different angles of your puppy. I love that I can see his eyes and ears in all your pictures. Keep up the good work!

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Lily H, Anoka County, Post HS

This photo is especially important to me because it represents my love for reading and art. Since the beginning of December, I have been reading a lot of books and I also started an art/reading journal to keep track of the books I’ve read which is why this photo is so significant to me.

Judge’s Comments:

Nice closeups of whimsy and fun. I like how you captured your cat in situations and the angles/lines allow the eyes to look everywhere. Keep capturing fun!

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Lizzie B, Cottonwood County, 10th Grade

This picture is very important to me because it is my gelding, Navegante and this was one of the last days we were able to ride this season. Navegante is my best boy and very important to me as he is extremely intelligent, but stubborn, I still love him!

Judge’s Comments: Lucky you have a horse for your best boy and a cool sunsetting while you were taking pictures. Remember to keep your horizon line at ⅓ or ⅔ rds of the image so it doesn’t cut your picture in half the trains and tree, illustrate what I mean.

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Lucey M, East Otter Tail County, 9th Gr

This photo is important to me because it represents all the hardships one faces in a year. It is also important because it has painted in bright green “ron” which is an inside joke amongst our family.

Judge’s Comments: Lovely sunset photo it might be even better if shown horizontally with less of the field showing. Closeups of animal noses is cute too. I also like the other field picture where you got down low for a different angle.

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Maizy D, Olmsted County, 5th Grade

I’ve been playing piano since June of 2023. My teacher, Rachel, has taught me a lot already, and my goal is to learn how to play Willow.

Judge’s Comments: Interesting set of photos. I like the inside AND outside pictures. Nice keyboard too. Next time take a few pictures with each one at a different angle and get the whole keyboard in some of them not just the keys. Nice focus on all your pictures.

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Molly A, Rice County, 8th Grade

Aggie is a spunky, playful calf who enjoys every drop of attention she can get.

Judge’s Comments:

Nice variety of subjects. I love in your animal pictures where we see the whole animal, no cut off ears or feet. You can move in even closer on your calf and dog. Great to see your calf’s eyes and tongue! Great job capturing that!

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Odin C, South St. Louis County, 5th Grade

I like the photo of the ice lantern we made because the sun reflects off of the ice and I like how it contrasts with the snow.

Judge’s Comments: Very cool ice lantern. I bet it was super neat at night too! You’ve done a great job with all your pictures, by filling the frame but not cutting off too much. With animal pictures like your bunny, make sure there is always more room in front of the animal than behind so it looks like he has room to move through your photo. Nice work.

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Renee R, Murray County, 4th Grade

My family and I like to stop and walk the trail to the waterfall every time we are in the area. It’s cool to watch it ice during the winter.

Judge’s Comments:

Beautiful landscape!! Nice job having your horizon line in the top third. All your pictures are very nice! On the grassy landscape, I would just move the horizon line so it doesn’t cut the picture in half - you tell us which is most important the sky or the grasses. Keep up the good work!

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Synnove V, Rice County, 5th Grade

Snowy winter day;

you can go outside and play. Please don’t melt away.

Judge’s Comments: Interesting group of pictures, I’m glad you took the time to get outside! Interesting winter trees. I wish there was more contrast between the sky and the snow. It makes me cold just looking at it. The sunset pictures have lots of contrast and it makes the trees stand out more.

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Tyler E, Washington County, 8th Grade

I saw the trees covered in snow while hiking in early January. I liked how there was a center line and the contrast of snow.

Judge’s Comments:

I agree with you! I love the way the tree bends into your picture - the lines all lead into it! Nice work! Other pictures are interesting too - you have a very agreeable bunny to pose with a hat. I’d like to see his whole body. The guitar picture is a fun angle, love that too!

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Victoria S, Faribault County, 6th Grade

I was walking through the lights at Sibley Park in Mankato with my family. The snowmen were one of my favorite things there.

Judge’s Comments: Very cool night time picture! It is hard to capture Christmas lights and decorations. You have a lot of unnecessary space in front of him - lots of time we need to move in closer to our subject. The basketball is a great example of that. Your sunsets are very nice too - also try taking them horizontally instead of vertically. The tops of the skies and the bottoms of the landscape are not as cool as the middle sunset.

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Congratulations to our top winners:

Grades 3-5: Lauren B,

Sherburne County

Grades K-2: Charlotte B,

Faribault County

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Congratulations to our top winners:

Grades 9+: Lily H,

Anoka County

Grades 6-8: Garret R,

Murray County

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Creative winners:

Renee R, Murray County

Ezri P, Dakota County

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Congratulations to the random drawing winners:

Emmaline G, Crow Wing
Katy B, Sherburne
Tyler E, Washington
Lizzie B, Cottonwood

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