Recently in Competitions Category

Dear PPA Member,

We all have probably procrastinated on something at some point in our lives. But as you know, there are certain occasions when preparation is key and can make the difference between a great outcome and a disappointing one.

PPA's International Photographic Competition is one of those occasions. This event only happens once a year and is a platform for you to show off your skill as a photographer. Pulling an "all-nighter" right before the submission deadline is probably not the wisest idea. That's why we've gathered some tips in this week's Vital Signs article to help you prepare and make the most of your competition experience.

Cheers!
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

Ever wonder if you're doing what you were meant to do? Follow Jessica Edwards' lead, and ask yourself one question: If you didn't have to work, what would you do?

The answer to that question was how Edwards found her way back to photography. She was told over and over that she needed to get a "real job," so she decided that photography would just be a hobby. But after studying psychology for four years, she realized that her heart just wasn't in it.

"I did some soul searching and asked myself, 'If I didn't have to work, what would I do?'" explains Edwards. "The answer was that I would travel and take pictures of the places I went and people I met. That's when I realized that my heart was still in photography...and I decided to devote the rest of my life to it."

Devotion is a good way to describe professional photographers' attitude toward their craft. After all, it takes effort and continual, consistent education to keep up with the constant changes in the industry. As Edwards notes, "If you don't evolve with [photography], you'll be left behind."

Along with attending conventions and webinars hosted by Professional Photographers of America, Edwards uses photographic competitions as a method for evolving her skills. "I believe that anyone who wants to improve their work and continue to grow as a photographer should enter photographic competition," she says. "It forces you to be more critical of the photographs you enter--and their lighting, posing and post-processing details--which will carry over into your everyday work."

Taking the plunge into the International Photographic Competition this year--or thinking about it? Join us in classes around the country for a step-by-step guide to the big day! The Photographic Competition Education Day will demystify the competition process from beginning to end, thanks to instruction directly from PPA-approved jurors. Come learn how to make the most of your competition experience--register for a class and prepare for competition excellence!

Photographic Competition Education Day
Date: March 28 or 29 (see individual location for date)
Time: All classes will run 9:00am - 5:00pm.
Price: $29

Have you ever heard the expression, "Go big or go home"? It entails giving something your all and not looking back--committing to put in 100 percent and nothing less. It's a phrase meant to inspire and thrust you into action.

Now, I admit that "go big or go home" is not a phrase commonly associated with photography. But when you apply it to PPA's International Photographic Competition, it fits perfectly.

If you've entered the competition before, you know what I'm talking about. But if you've never entered the International Photographic Competition, you have no idea what you are missing out on (and it's a lot!). You have the opportunity to gain so much from the experience alone, not to mention the honors and awards you have the potential to earn. Make this year the year to go big! Read this week's vital signs here.

Cheers!
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

P.S. Name your price to advertise! PPA has a new, members-only mall advertising offer that will allow you to display your work in local malls at a price with which you feel comfortable. This opportunity is only available until June 27, 2010, so hurry and visit www.eyecorp.com/EyeBid. PPA members can login here for the promo code.

Get ready to submit your images for the 2010 International Photographic Competition! The online registration form and 2010 rules are available in the Competitions section of www.ppa.com. The judging will be held in June this year, and the entry deadline is Friday, April 30.

Get the rules and register online now!

Joe Campanellie, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, F-ASP, was a busy man at Imaging USA this past January, claiming some of the industry's most prestigious honors, including the American Society of Photographers' Gold Medallion Award, a PPA Diamond Photographer of the Year award, a PPA Imaging Excellence award and his ASP Fellowship degree. This highly decorated family and children portrait specialist calls himself the "poster boy" for how photographic competition can make a photographer better and, he says, also helped him to rediscover his passion for nature photography, which motivated him to aspire to the ASP Fellowship degree.

"I got into the art of photography quite by accident when a friend of mine bought a camera and set up a darkroom in a closet. I was hooked from the very beginning by watching my first print develop in a tray," Joe remembers. Still, he had doubts about whether or not he was good enough to enter photographic competitions. "I would sit and watch our state competitions, walk through the General and Loan Collection display, and be blown away."

Campanellie decided to overcome his apprehensions and get involved in competition anyway when one goal became clear. "I just wanted to become a better photographer," he says. "I decided I needed to be a part of the process to reap the benefits--I wasn't going to gain anything by sitting on the sidelines."

And so, Joe set out to compete with the aspirations of improving his skills and seeing his art in all new ways. "When I first started competing, I never dreamed I would be where I am today. PPA photographic competition has helped me find my strengths as an artist."

Leverage Competition to Your Benefit
Campanellie recommends that every photographer start by using the "12 Elements of a Merit Image" to judge the quality of their work. "I can honestly say that the standards changed the way I look at my photography--they changed the way I look through my viewfinder. Learning to apply the 12 elements to your day-to-day studio work will help you learn the basic concepts of design and composition, and these are concepts that great artists have used for centuries."

Then, he says, become a student of how competition works. "Before I entered my first image, I spent time watching the photographic competitions in our state," Joe explains. He also talked to the judges, even though, he admits to being shy about it at first. "To get better, you need their opinions and their experience, and you have to develop a thick skin. Don't take it personally if your favorite image doesn't do well and keep an open mind."

All PPA Affiliate organizations' publications--whether in print or online--are produced by fellow members who help you stay connected and informed, while running their own businesses. It's hard work...so make sure they enter the 2010 Affiliate Communications Competition and earn merits for their service!

Entry forms are available at the Competitions page on www.ppa.com, and it is free to enter. Entries must be received at PPA no later than Friday, February 26, 2010. If you have additional questions, please contact PPA at (800) 339-5451, ext. 226, or e-mail awijesinghe@ppa.com.

All PPA Affiliate editors and webmasters are invited to participate in this competition, which encourages excellence in affiliate publications and recognizes the individuals who spend their time and energy editing, designing, and maintaining them. Enter and get free, valuable advice for improvement. Plus, you'll earn an achievement merit if your entry is accepted into the competition and an additional merit if you win!

Celebrity panel to judge photo contest - Deadline for entries is February 15, 2010

New York, NY (January 13, 2010) - Adorama, one of America's premier photography and consumer electronics resellers, announces that they are launching the APPOS, the first annual iPhone App Awards for Photography as well as an iPhone Photography Contest. The annual APPOS Awards are designed to spotlight the rapid rise in popularity of the iPhone as a new platform for digital point-and-shoot photography and to recognize developers of outstanding photo Apps.

An esteemed panel of judges includes Photoshop Guru Scott Kelby, Nikon shooters Joe McNally and Moose Peterson, Canon shooters Eric Meola and Syl Arena, plus popular WFAN radio personalities, former football quarterback Boomer Esiason and commentator Craig Carton. Winners for both the photo contest and the first ever APPOS Photo App Awards will be announced during the month of March.

Hurry, Time Is Running Out. Reserve Your Appointment Now.

If you will be in Nashville this January for Imaging USA, be sure to take advantage of free print competition consultations with PPA Jurors/Mentors from PPA's Photographic Exhibition Committee (PEC). These personal evaluations by some of the world's best photographers and Jurors can help you significantly improve your craft. Ask questions, receive information and tips on creating exhibition-quality images, and get the inside track on how to earn merits towards the prestigious PPA Master of Photography degree.
 
Due to the extreme popularity of these mentor sessions, a limited number of appointments will be available and must be scheduled in advance. Contact PEC Administrator Jim Dingwell (jdingwell@ppa.com) to reserve a time for your review.

Anthropographia is proud to announce the opening of submissions for the 2010 edition. (Submission deadline is Dec 1, 2009.)

This competition, opened to all, offers an opportunity for photographers to show their work and manifest their commitment to the human rights issues.

This year, 24 photoreportages and 10 multimedia productions will be selected by Anthropograhia's advisory board which includes members who are recognized for their exceptional photojournalistic work, their commitment to contemporary photojournalism and their dedication to human rights advocacy. For the 2010 edition of Anthropographia Award, the Advisory Board will act as jury.

Complete details at www.anthropographia.org