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PPSA End of Year Digital Photographic Competition Guidelines & Rules

PPSA Annual Photographic Competition Rules - (All entries are due no later than 10:00 P.M. on November 16, 2025.)

The PPSA Annual Image Competition allows photographers to enter digital images or albums to be judged against a standard of excellence using the 12Elements of a Merit Image. This allows entrants to compete and receive feedback in preparation for State and International PPA Competitions.

PPSA strives to use the same rules that PPA uses for the IPC (International Photographic Competition). However, while there are no scores given at IPC competition (merit/no merit only), PPSA continues to use the traditional scoring system (65-100) as illustrated above. This gives you the opportunity to test the strength of your images at a local level before entering larger competitions.

We encourage members and non-members to participate in PPSA's annual image competition.  The following categories, rules, and guidelines will assist those wanting to enter our annual digital photographic competition.

DIGITAL IMAGE SUBMISSION

Our digital image submissions are managed via PrintCompetition.com, which provides a robust interface for managing our competition. There is a minimum ($10/year) fee to use their site. Here's how to get started.

• Go to www.printcompetition.com and create your account if you do not already have one.
• Log on and choose the PPSA logo for the competition.
• Start uploading your images and be sure to enter a title.
• Choose a category from the list below. If you are entering a Digital Artist entry, you must provide guide images.
• Fees are paid through the printcompetition.com website; entries are not eligible for competition until any applicable fees are paid.

Up to (8) entries are allowed. Entrants may enter any combination of categories. Each album is considered as a single entry.

IMAGE CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS

• Portrait -- Photographs of individuals or groups, regardless of age or number of individuals, as well as animals. (Exception – those that meet the criteria for Illustrative, Wedding, or Digital Artist categories)
• Scenic -- Scenes or elements from nature where people are not the dominate feature of the image. This includes most nature and landscape photographs.
• Illustrative -- Images such as photographic art, photojournalism, architectural, commercial, or other images that do not fit any of the other categories. Portraits and wedding images are not appropriate for this category.
• Wedding -- Any photographic image from a wedding event or bridal portrait session. Engagement images are not appropriate for this category.
•  Digital Artist -- Composites, paintings, and other elements that extend beyond traditional retouching and changing the entire scope of the finished product.

            o   Artist may use an image or images in their entry that were not photographed by them.

            o   Entries may be reproduced from existing photographs, portraits, graphics, or any other artwork so long as the entrant is prepared to provide appropriate written documentation indicating permission for usage. The artist does not need to have taken the photographic elements.

            o   All processing, manipulation, artwork, and rendering must be done by the entrant.

            o   Entries in the Digital Artist category can include any subject.

            o   Guide images must be included on the face of the image, either below or alongside the artwork.

•  Album - Albums may be of any subject.

REGISTRATION DEADLINES AND FEES

PPSA members may enter up to (4) entries at no charge. Additional entries may be entered for $10 each. A total of (8) entries are allowed.

Non-members may enter up to eight (8) entries at $15/ea.

Please note:

• Entries will not be accepted after the submission deadline. Please see printcompetition.com for submission deadline.
• Entrants are required to register on printcompetition.com and have an account to participate.
• Entries are not accepted until entry fees, if applicable, are paid.
• We use the honor system at registration.  If you  hit submit your images will be uploaded, even if you do not make a required payment.

 

IMAGE ENTRY ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS

• Only digital entries will be accepted.
• The entrant must have captured and created the original image(s), unless included as an element within the Digital Artist category.
• Multiple entries of the same subject may be entered if substantive change       has been made between the images. (i.e. background, location, clothing, and concept).
• The entrant’s name or studio name shall not appear anywhere on the face of any entry.
• The entrant has obtained all necessary releases (model or property).
•  No entry will be eligible that has been made under the direct supervision of an instructor or as a class assignment.
• No entry will be eligible that has previously merited in a State, Regional or

International PPA affiliated event (2025 quarterly PPSA entires are accepted).

• Files must be sized so the longest dimension is 4,000 pixels. The best aspect ratio for displaying your image on the monitor is a 13:20 ratio of 2600px by 4000px. Each file must contain an embedded color profile of either sRGB or AdobeRGB and be saved at a JPEG quality setting of 10. In most cases, total file size should not exceed 3.5 MB.
• You do not need to be present at the image competition to be eligible to participate, however it is strongly recommended.
• All images are viewed with the monitor in a horizontal (landscape) orientation, consistent with PPA standards.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)–Generated Images

AI-generated images are not permitted in this year’s competition. For the purposes of this competition, an AI-generated image is defined as any image created, in whole or in part, using artificial intelligence software or tools in which the creator provides text, visual, or image-based prompts to produce or alter the final image.

 

ALBUM ENTRY ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS

• Only digital entries will be accepted.
• Entrant must have captured and created the original exposures.
• All processing, manipulation, printing or rendering must have been done by the entrant or under their direct supervision.
• The entrant's name or studio name shall not appear anywhere on the face of the entry.
• All page/spread files must have the longest file dimension at 4,000 pixels, have an embedded color profile of either sRGB or AdobeRGB and be saved at a JPEG quality of 10.
• Each page/spread file may contain as many images as you desire.
• An entry shall contain a minimum 5 page/spread files up to 36 page/separate files.
• Files are to be numbered in viewing order using two digits, i.e. 01.jpg,

02.jpg, 03.jpg, etc.

• All individual files must be compressed into a single ZIP file. ZIP file name should use underscores for spaces. For example, what_a_day_to_remember.zip

CRITIQUES

Video critiques from an IPC approved juror are available for $10 per entry. This is a great way to get personal feedback on your images.

AWARDS

• PPSA Member Awards*

            ▪  Best Overall Image of the Year

            ▪  Best Overall Album of the Year

            ▪  Best of Year - (each category)

            ▪  Distinguished Image Award - (each category)

            ▪  Highest Scoring Image by a CPP

• Open Awards (Members and Non-Members are eligible)

            ▪  Distinguished Image Award - (each category)

*all member submissions will be admitted and scored.  Only those members who have attended three or more meetings are eligible to receive a trophy.

DISCLAIMERS

Judging will be to PPA standards, but it should be noted this is NOT a PPA affiliated competition and PPA merits can NOT be earned. PPSA has the authority to re-categorize, correct data entry discrepancies, or disqualify any entry. Disqualified entries may be judged but are ineligible to receive any awards.

Award recipients are responsible for picking up earned award(s) in San Antonio, Texas or may have the award(s) shipped at their own expense.

All entries are due no later than 10:00 P.M. on November 16, 2025.

Entries must be submitted online atwww.printcompetition.com.

Membership fee to printcompetition.com is entrant's responsibility.

NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED!

mail questions to:Trey@ehoman.com