2010 Custom Troll Contest

Here are some guidelines to get your troll looking his or her best!

Have your subject stand in front of a white or light colored background (like a wall, sheet, towel, etc.)

Here is one way... you make a stack of books/boxes on the counter, then drape a white sheet over everything.

Position the troll on top of the sheet with it's back to the covered stack of books/boxes. Photograph the troll against this white backdrop (see photo below). 

These two represent average quality photos using white backdrop (sheet) and background  (wall)

While the photo you submit can look better than these, you will be risking votes if it is of a lesser quality (like the one below).

This is a photo from a past eBay auction. Quality is too poor to see enough detail.

It is best to have the troll well lighted and have the light source come mostly from the front at camera level.

You can use a more cluttered background as long as it is off in the distance and not too close to subject.

If you use the cameras flash, don't get too close to subject (and make sure the troll hasn't blinked!).

This is a photo of a trophy we make for a local Moonshiner 5K Run

Notice that the background is not a distraction, but the flash was a little strong because the camera was too close to subject (or maybe the troll had been tasting the product!)

If you edit your picture it would help us if you crop to only show the troll.

Try to keep file under 1M if possible, ideal picture size is about 150 dpi and about 3 inches wide.

Preferred format is jpg, jpeg, or gif

A photo of this composition and quality will help show off your special troll to the voters. It does however have a flaw that you should try and prevent in your photo...

you can't see what's in the left hand, it should have been bent out a little to be able to see what he is holding.

Please let us know if you have any questions

Good Luck with your design and photo entry!