Photopronetwork.com For Print Competition questions, please contact co-chairs Jennifer Palumbo at (859) 333-0223 and palumbo1971@gmail.com OR Rosemary Cundiff-Brown at (502) 641-0744 and rosemary@monarch-photography.com Print Competition and Exhibition 2016 ONLINE REGISTRATION OPENS ON JANUARY 1, 2016. WWW.PRINTCOMPETITON.COM *************** YOU MUST BE A CURRENT MEMBER OF PHOTOPRO NETWORK TO ENTER THE PRINT COMPETITION AT PHOTOPRO EXPO 2016! Joining is easy! Become a member NOW at www.photopronetwork.com BUT! All entrants are eligible for tons of fun prizes, regardless of your print scores! Print Competition held in conjunction with PhotoPro Expo 2016 PhotoPro Expo Annual Convention and Trade Show February 4-8, 2016 (Print Competition Starts February 3) Judging begins Wednesday, February 3, 2016 starting at 6:00-10:00 pm and continues Thursday, February 4 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm at the Marriott River Center in Covington, KY. All times are EST. Compete for awards and prizes! All Prints for this competition are physical prints! However, you do need to upload a digital copy WITH your registration. All physical prints are to be shipped or hand delivered by the deadlines in the rules. ENTRY DEADLINES Registration Must Be Completed at www.printcompetition.com (select PPN) Before Shipping or Hand Delivering Prints! LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, SO PLEASE READ NOTE THE DEADLINES FOR DELIVERY! You will be notified by email or text once your print case has been received. Shipped cases must be RECEIVED by 8 p.m. EST on Monday, February 1, 2016. SHIP TO: Photo Pro Network Print Competition Attn. Jennifer Palumbo, Print Co-Chair 120 Pheasant Run Nicholasville, KY 40356 PLEASE DO NOT SHIP YOUR PRINT CASES WITH A SIGNATURE REQUIREMENT! WE CANNOT GUARANTEE WE WILL BE THERE TO SIGN FOR THEM! NOTE: IF YOU LIVE IN THE FAYETTE COUNTY AREA, YOU MAY ALSO HAND-DELIVER YOUR PRINT CASE TO JENNIFER (120 Pheasant Run, Nicholasville, KY 40356) BY 5 p.m. on Monday, February 1, 2016. OR IF YOU LIVE IN THE LOUISVILLE, KY AREA, YOU MAY ALSO HAND-DELIVER YOUR PRINT CASE TO ROSEMARY (2017 Alta Avenue, Louisville, KY 40205) BY 8 p.m. on Monday, February 1, 2016. Hand-delivered submissions to the expo convention center may be made between 11:00 am and 1:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, February 3rd at the Marriott River Center in Covington in the Covington Ballroom (DO NOT leave at the front desk. Please hand-deliver and do not ship to the convention center). Please actually speak to a print competition staff member when you hand-deliver. Your print case must be complete and ready to go! Please have all paperwork in the case, all labels secured, etc. General Rules--PLEASE READ CAREFULLY! Eligibility: Print Competition is open to all current Photo Pro Network members. Please go to www.photopronetwork.com and confirm that your membership is current. Joining or renewing is easy and quick if needed. Entries Allowed: Entry fee is $15 PER PRINT. Each member may submit a maximum of ten (10) entries. An entry may be either a print or physical album. Entries should be shipped in a print case or similar type case or box that can be used for return shipping is needed. Only one person may submit prints in each case. Prints previously entered in the PPN Annual Convention Competition scoring 80 or above are NOT eligible. You must register online, pay and upload your images BY 12:00 MIDNIGHT EST ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2016 so we will be prepared to judge your entries. It is a very easy and simple process. During the online registration you will pay your fee of $15 per entry and print your labels and entry form. The uploaded images do not constitute your entries. You MUST ship or deliver by hand your actual competition prints and/or printed albums by the deadlines above. All entries must be titled. Affix the printed label to the back top left corner of each print. No title or maker identification may be on the front of the print unless is it an integral part of the photography. For any questions and for additional information contact co-chairs: Jennifer Palumbo at (859) 333-0223 palumbo1971@gmail.com Rosemary Cundiff-Brown at (502) 641-0744 rosemary@monarchphotography.com Competition Image Gallery: As a benefit to PPN members, there will be an online gallery created from the digital files submitted with the 2016 entries. This gallery will be posted to the PPN membersonly site after expo. Print Competition Entry MOUNTING: All prints must be permanently mounted on mount board or foam core board. The image ITSELF (meaning what is being judged) must be no less than 80 square inches and a maximum of 480 square inches with the longest dimension no longer than 24 inches (equivalent to an 8x10, but can certainly be bigger). Suggested entry size with matting and image is 16x20, but can be smaller. A jpeg file must be uploaded for each entry. The image should be saved as a level 12 jpeg with the title as the filename. Example: Pretty_In_Pink.jpg. Please re-size the image to 4000 pixels on the longest edge. Please note that the thickness of the entry should be a minimum of 1/8 inch and a maximum of 3/8 inch. (Images that do not meet these specifications may not be displayed in the print exhibit because they may not fit into our print display system). Please also specify which LAB printed your images when you complete the online registration. This is excellent PR for your lab. Album Competition: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. No previous awards may be visible on the presentation. If the maker’s name is on or in the album, it must be taped over for judging. The entry must be in the form of an actual printed album or physical print. All images must be made by a PPN member. No multi-volume albums are allowed. A jpeg file must be submitted of one of the pages or one of the images per entry. The image should be saved as a level 12 jpeg with the title as the filename. Example: Adams_Mary_and_John.jpg. Please re-size the image to 3000-4000 pixels in the longest dimension. LABELS FOR SPECIALTY AWARDS (Kodak, Fuji, and Lexjet) You MUST affix the appropriate labels to be eligible for these specialty awards. IF YOU DO NOT ATTACH THE FORMS, YOUR PRINTS WILL NOT BE JUDGED FOR THE SPECIALTY AWARDS. Kodak Gallery and Kodak Gallery Elite Awards Kodak is continuing its fine tradition of recognizing professional competition. If you would like to be eligible for a Kodak award please download these additional instructions and labels. Entries must be printed on Kodak paper, and the image cannot have previously won a Kodak Award--it also must score at least an 80. NOTE: The Kodak Award is ONLY for Gallery/Illustrative Images. Both landscape and illustrative images are eligible! These are current guidelines (despite the 2013 label). Kodak cannot show any new images, etc. because the 2014 winners haven't been released yet. http://www.kodak.com/global/plugins/acrobat/en/professional/hub/galleryAward/entryGuideline s2013.pdf http://www.kodak.com/global/plugins/acrobat/en/professional/hub/galleryAward/GalleryAwards Label.pdf http://prolabresourcecenter.kodak.com/us/en/new_prolab_locator.php Fuji Masterpiece Award NOTE: The Fuji Award is ONLY for Portrait and Wedding Images. Fujifilm is offering the Fuji Masterpiece Award in the wedding and portrait divisions this year. Entries must be printed on Fuji paper, and the image cannot have previously won a Fuji Award--it also must score at least an 80. Use these labels on the back of your prints to claim eligibility. ELIGIBILITY & RULES: The Fujifilm Masterpiece Award Certificate is given to the best wedding and best portrait image, usually indicated by the highest score, in its category at annual print competitions held by PPA affiliates. The image must score at least an 80 out of a potential of 100 points to be eligible for the award. The judges must agree that it best represents the category with the highest level of professional photography. The image must be printed on Fujicolor Paper. Images that meet all the criteria will be judged for the award. Lexjet Sunset Award Awarded at PPA events and other regional and state competitions, the Sunset Print Award is your chance to shine and win valuable prizes! All Sunset Print Award winners from each competition will then be entered into the national competition with even bigger prizes and recognition! Entries must be printed on Lexjet printers/paper, and the image cannot have previously won a Sunset Award--it also must score at least an 80. Use these labels on the back of your prints to claim eligibility. The Sunset Print Award, “Best Print in Exhibition,” is offered at 2015 print competitions where a minimum of 50 prints are entered into PPA-styled judged competitions. Most are hosted by PPA Districts, Regions, and State member organizations. The judging, selection, and presentation are done by the hosting organization in accordance with the published Rules and Qualifications for the Sunset Award. The award includes: A crystal Sunset trophy Lapel-pin $250 gift certificate for Sunset-branded inkjet media Entry into a year-end annual Sunset competition hosted by LexJet Here are the RULES for the Lexjet Sunset Print Award for prints printed on LexJet printers: All inkjet-printed entries are eligible to win the “Best Print in Exhibition” Sunset award Entries need not be printed on Sunset inkjet media to win, but must be inkjetprinted An image must be submitted and be judged as a print The image must score > 80 points during the PPA-style judging The image must be chosen from the 10 highest scoring prints in the competition The image cannot have won a Sunset award previously The image must adhere to all rules and qualifications of the host print competition The entrant must have all releases and permission of all subjects appearing in the image http://www.sunsetprint.com/sunset-print-award/ https://www.facebook.com/sunsetprint/info?tab=page_info http://photopronetwork.com/Resources/Pictures/Sunset-Print-Award-Label.png Submitting Your Entries: Checklist: You must register online, pay and upload your images BY 12:00 MIDNIGHT EST ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2016 so we can be prepared to judge your entries. 1. Photographs and Albums – each entry must be titled. 2. Prepare a level 12 Jpeg with longest edge 3000-4000 pixels with the title as the filename. 3. Register online at www.printcompetition.com (PPN) 4. Print bar coded back labels from the printcompetition.com website and affix them to the back of your print on the TOP LEFT SIDE or the inside back cover of your album or TOP LEFT SIDE OF THE BACK OF YOUR PRINT. 5. Print your prefilled entry form from the printcompetiton.com website, check any box that applies and insert in your case with your entries. 6. Ship your entries to arrive no later than 8:00 p.m. EST Monday, February 1, 2016 or hand-deliver to the Covington Ballroom of the Marriott River Center in Covington between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. EST on Wednesday, February 3, 2016. 7. NOTE that if you need your print case shipped back to you, then you will be responsible for the shipping fees. YOU MUST HAVE EITHER A FEDEX OR UPS ACCOUNT THAT WILL ALLOW US TO SHIP YOUR CASE AT YOUR EXPENSE AND BE BILLED TO YOUR ACCOUNT. NO COD IS AVAILABLE THIS YEAR, NOR WILL YOU BE ABLE TO MAIL A CHECK TO REIMBURSE PPN FOR YOUR RETURNED CASE. Please place your account information in to the print case! 8. PRINT CASE PICK-UP: You may pick-up your print case in the Marriott Rivercenter (exact location TBA) on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7 between 4 p.m. And 6 p.m. Any print case left behind will automatically be shipped at the registrant's expense and must be paid for with your UPS or FEDEX ACCOUNT. NO COD'S. Photo Pro Network/PhotoPro Expo assumes no responsibility for damage or loss in shipment, storage, handling, or exhibition of a print or print case. 12 ELEMENTS of a MERIT IMAGE Guidelines from PPA--Listed in accordance to their importance. These elements will help you choose and prepare your entry choices. Impact: Impact is the sense one gets upon viewing an image for the first time. Compelling images evoke laughter, sadness, anger, pride, wonder or another intense emotion. There can be impact in any of these twelve elements. Technical Excellence: Technical excellence is the print quality of the image itself as it is presented for viewing. Retouching, manipulation, sharpness, exposure, printing, mounting, and correct color are some items that speak to the qualities of the physical print. Creativity: Creativity is the original, fresh, and external expression of the imagination of the maker by using the medium to convey an idea, message or thought. Style: Style is defined in a number of ways as it applies to a creative image. It might be defined by a specific genre or simply be recognizable as the characteristics of how a specific artist applies light to a subject. It can impact an image in a positive manner when the subject matter and the style are appropriate for each other, or it can have a negative effect when they are at odds. Composition: Composition is important to the design of an image, bringing all of the visual elements together in concert to express the purpose of the image. Proper composition holds the viewer in the image and prompts the viewer to look where the creator intends. Effective composition can be pleasing or disturbing, depending on the intent of the image maker. Presentation: Presentation affects an image by giving it a finished look. The mats and borders used, either physical or digital, should support and enhance the image, not distract from it. Color Balance: Color Balance supplies harmony to an image. An image in which the tones work together, effectively supporting the image, can enhance its emotional appeal. Color balance is not always harmonious and can be used to evoke diverse feelings for effect. Center of Interest: Center of Interest is the point or points on the image where the maker wants the viewer to stop as they view the image. There can be primary and secondary centers of interest. Occasionally there will be no specific center of interest, when the entire scene collectively serves as the center of interest. Lighting: Lighting—the use and control of light—refers to how dimension, shape and roundness are defined in an image. Whether the light applied to an image is manmade or natural, proper use of it should enhance an image. Subject Matter: Subject Matter should always be appropriate to the story being told in an image. Technique: Technique is the approach used to create the image. Printing, lighting, posing, capture, presentation media, and more are part of the technique applied to an image. Storytelling: Storytelling refers to the image’s ability to evoke imagination. One beautiful thing about art is that each viewer might collect his own message or read her own story in an image. Judging and Ribbons: The point system is used with scores from 100 to 0 as follows: Exceptional…………………..…..100-95 Superior………………………………94-90 Excellent………………………………89-85 Deserving of Merit…………...…84-80 Above Average......................79-75 Average……………………....…..…74-70 Below Exhibition Standards….69-0 All photographs and albums receiving initial scores of 79 to 78 are automatically challenged and reviewed for a second opportunity to receive a score of 80. Prints scoring 80 to 81 are also challenged and reviewed to insure the image is merit worthy. On the rejudging, the change of a score is by 80% majority vote. The final score will be the official score on these and any other challenged photographs. Ribbons: Blue Ribbon…….Entries receiving a score of 80 or above Red Ribbon……..Entries receiving a score of 78 or 79 Green Ribbon….Entries receiving a score of 76 or 77 Specialist Awards A category must have at least two (2) entries by at least three (3) different makers to be eligible for awards. Top scoring blue ribbon merit print/album wins unless otherwise noted. To win a Specialists Title you must have a minimum of two (2) images entered in that category. Your two best merit scores will be used. Each category that meets the entry criteria will have a winner who will receive an award and be recognized at the awards reception. Gold Acceptance Corner: Each Print accepted for exhibition at the Annual Convention. Photographs must receive a score of 70 or above to be accepted for the exhibit. Please also specify which LAB printed your images when you complete the online registration. This is excellent PR for your lab. Only entries receiving a score of 80 or above will be eligible for awards. You must be a member of the PhotoPro Network to enter the print competition. In case of a tie, the judges will make a comparative judging (not on score alone). All decisions by the judges and the print committee are final. Category Honors Division Portrait Wedding Category Description Open Individuals or groups in studio or on location (pets go in this category) Children From newborns up to but not including high school seniors HS Senior High School Seniors Best Overall in Portrait All merited images will go head to head in a comparison judging Wedding Open Photographs of any wedding, reception, or wedding day detail/subject NOT OF JUST THE COUPLE TOGETHER: Includes any wedding image of the bride or groom featured on his or her own, the bridal party, images of family and friends, accessories/details of the bride, groom, ceremony or reception are featured as the emphasis in this category. May be posed or photojournalistic. Couple (WEDDING DAY) Posed or Photojournalistic image of the wedding couple created on their ACTUAL wedding day where they are the main focus of the image. IMAGE WAS SHOT ON THE ACTUAL DAY OF THE COUPLE'S WEDDING. Couple (NON-WEDDING DAY) Posed or Photojournalistic portrait of the bride and groom together. IMAGE WAS NOT SHOT ON THE ACTUAL DAY OF THE WEDDING CEREMONY. Could be a newlywed session, post-wedding day session, etc. Best Overall in Wedding All merited images will go head to head in a comparison judging Album Wedding/Storytelling/Session Printed album from a social event, wedding, portrait session, etc. Illustrative/ Landscape/ Digital Artistry Landscape Photographs of real, actual landscapes Illustrative Real or created fine art images created for gallery or illustrative purposes Digital Artistry All images that are extensively digitally painted, created as composites, or digitally-altered art prints. Best in Landscape/Illustrative/Digital Artistry Specialists Portrait Open All merited images will go head to head in a comparison judging Top scoring photographer by the top 2 merit scoring images entered in the Portrait General Category (pets are in this category) Portrait Children Top scoring photographer by the top 2 merit scoring images entered in the Portrait Children Category Portrait HS Senior Top scoring photographer by the top 2 merit scoring images entered in the Portrait HS Senior Category Wedding Open Top scoring photographer by the top 2 merit scoring images in the Open Wedding Division Couple Wedding Day Top scoring photographer by the top 2 merit scoring images entered in the Couple Wedding Day Division Couple Non-Wedding Day Top scoring photographer by the top 2 merit scoring images entered in the Couple NonWedding Day Division Landscape Top scoring photographer by the top 2 merit scoring images entered in the Landscape Division Illustrative Top scoring photographer by the top 2 merit scoring images entered in the Illustrative Division Digital Artistry Top scoring photographer by the top 2 merit scoring images entered in the Digital Artistry Division Top scoring photographer by Album Bob Walden Best Black and White (given by K&R) the top 2 merit scoring albums entered in the Album Category All merited black and white images will go head to head in a comparison judging. . Top Image Maker Honors PhotoPro Network Photographer of the Year Award This award is determined by the judges with a comparative judging based on the top 6 prints in a case of any entrant who merits 5 prints or more PhotoPro Network TOP 10 Top 10 individual scoring cases using each case’s top 6 scoring entries. Rankings are chosen based on overall combined scores of each of the top ten image makers' case Best of Show Award This award is given to the highest scoring print. In the case of a tie the judges will choose a winner People’s Choice Award This award is given to the print with the most people’s choice ballots Bob Walden Best Black & White Award (given by K&R Photographic) Judges choose best black and white print from all merited black and white images entered Overall Horizon Award Highest-scoring OVERALL merited image to an image maker who has NEVER previously merited (80 or above) in a PhotoPro Expo Print Competition Horizon Ribbon Recipients Highest-scoring merited image in EACH category (Portrait, Wedding, Landscape/Illustrative/Digital Artistry, and Album) to an image maker who has NEVER previously merited (80 or above) in a PhotoPro Expo Print Competition PPN 6 AWARD RECIPIENT AWARDS Pin awarded to any current PhotoPro Network Member who has entered the print competition and has at least 6 merited images Fuji Masterpiece Awards (One for Portrait and One for Wedding) Highest scoring portrait AND wedding entries printed on Fuji paper—must be an 80 or above Lexjet Sunset Award Highest scoring entry (80 or above) printed on Lexjet paper/printer Kodak Gallery Award Highest scoring Gallery (Landscape)/Illustrative entry (80 or above) printed on Kodak paper ASP Award for Kentucky Members Highest scoring entry (80 or above) by a member of ASP (American Society of Photographers) CPP Award for Kentucky Members Highest scoring entry (80 or above) by CPP (Certified Professional Photographer of PPA)