Inside The Society’s Judging School 2026
Raising the Standard of Image Judging
The Society of Photographers’ Judging School 2026 has successfully concluded following two days of intensive training, practical experience and photographic critique in North Wales.
Held on 23–24 September, the course brought together aspiring judges from the UK and overseas, all looking to develop their understanding of photographic judging and take their first steps towards becoming Society Print Judges.
Led by Head of Judging Terrie Jones, alongside experienced judges Sarah Edmunds – FSWPP and Dario Righetto – Master Printer, the course combined classroom learning with hands-on judging sessions designed to give delegates a genuine insight into the role of a photographic judge.
Learning What Makes a Good Judge
The Judging School has been developed from Terrie Jones’ nearly two decades of experience in photographic critique and judging.
As the driving force behind The Societies’ internationally respected 20×16” Print Competition, Terrie has long recognised the importance of developing judges who can maintain high standards while providing photographers with fair, constructive and professional feedback.
The 2026 programme covered a wide range of topics, including:
- The qualities we look for in professional judges
- Panel judging rules and procedures
- The 10 Elements
- Etiquette, communication and elocution
- Positive and constructive judging
- Print quality and presentation
While understanding how to assess an image is fundamental, the course also focused on how that assessment is communicated.
As Terrie explains:
“The school is not only about learning how to critique images technically and creatively. It is also about giving people the confidence and language to deliver feedback in a positive, professional and constructive way. Respectful communication, fairness and consistency are all incredibly important.”
Putting Judging Theory into Practice
A key part of the two-day course was the opportunity for delegates to take part in mock judging sessions.
These practical sessions allowed delegates to put the principles they had learned into practice, experience the judging process first-hand and develop their ability to explain their observations clearly and constructively.
The small-group environment encouraged discussion and questions throughout the course, while also allowing delegates to learn from the experience of the tutors and fellow participants.
For anyone considering becoming a photographic judge, experiencing the process from the other side of the panel provides a valuable insight into the responsibility involved.
More Than Just a Score
Photographic judging is about more than simply assigning a number to an image.
Judges play an important role in competitions and qualifications, helping to maintain standards while providing photographers with feedback that can contribute to their development.
That is why the Judging School places such emphasis on fairness, consistency and constructive communication, alongside the technical and creative assessment of an image.
Delegates were encouraged to consider not only what works within an image and what could be improved, but also how their observations could be communicated in a professional and respectful way.
Developing Future Photographic Judges
The Society’s Judging School forms an important part of its ongoing commitment to photographic education and maintaining standards across its competitions and qualifications.
The 2026 delegates successfully completed the two-day course and received their course completion certificates, marking the end of an intensive programme of learning and practical experience.
With delegates travelling from both the UK and overseas, the course also highlighted the wider interest in developing consistent, professional approaches to photographic judging.
A huge thank you to Terrie Jones, Sarah Edmunds and Dario Righetto for sharing their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm throughout the two days — and congratulations to everyone who took part in Judging School 2026.
It was a pleasure to welcome you all and we look forward to seeing how your judging journeys develop.
