I recently turned in two photos to my local college photo show. I was really excited because I did my own darkroom work and thought I had some good pics. I turned them in and we recieved the results yesterday. They decided to show one of them, but they didn't show the one that I spent the most time on. I wasn't too sad since I made it in the top 20 out of 70. Needless to say I did not win anything, but I did see some amazing photos by some amazing people, and got plenty of new ideas becasue of it. There is a light at the end of the tunnel for this story however.
The picture I turned in that didn't get used I also turned in for a photo assignment for class. My teacher gave me a 98 for it, which is almost unheard of for him, since he doesn't give 100's; ever. So needless to say that has given me more of a confidence boost than any show could have ever done. I will try and post the pics in the critique forum as soon as I can use a scanner.
Zack