What makes a winner? A really good idea is a fine start! Beyond that, though, you have to give the judge as few reasons to knock points off as you possibly can. Feed 'em only scraps! Now the devil really is in the detail - colour balance, sharpening, borders, perfect masking - all go towards leaving the judge with nothing to pick on. If the judge likes your print, and cannot find a single fault with it, there is only one outcome - you're a winner!
Mike's day will be truly hands on, you the audience are going to be the judges, the plaintiff and the accused. You are going to have to adjust colour, make sharpening adjustments, have your test prints analysed. Bring your thinking caps (and your reading glasses!), a pen and paper, if you hide at the back Mike will make you sit at his desk at the front! More ...