Technical Image Evaluation: Overview and Resources

After you have passed the CPP exam, you will be eligible to submit your image evaluation. There are five evaluation periods per year, each opened for two weeks at a time.

In this process, you will be required to create 3 assigned images using a CPP Image Kit ordered from BlickU. Using the 5 items in the kit and the evaluation setup guidelines you will choose from one of three offered lighting scenario’s to create the images assigned. These set ups will demonstrate your understanding of key photographic concepts including; depth of field, camera angle, exposure, lens compression, white balance, light sources and file handling criteria. All images will be evaluated on pre-set elements including; cropping, focus, sharpness, lighting, camera angle and white balance. A successful evaluation will satisfy all elements for all three images. You will be able to submit your evaluation as many times as needed during your candidacy period.

Your Technical Image Evaluation kit will be ordered online from BlickU. Please use the Ordering Guide to help you through the process.

Please allow between 5-10 business days for kit delivery. Each kit costs approximately $35 shipping included.

Each Image Evaluation will demonstrate three images. Please use the Technical Image Evaluation Guide and Sample Images to setup your evaluation. Make sure to reference the Equipment List for required and suggested equipment.

Your Technical Image Evaluation will be comprised of THREE (3) images that have been taken from one of the listed lighting scenarios.

• OPTION 1: Electronic Flash Technical Image Evaluation Setup Guide (speedlights, studio strobes, location strobes) Electronic Flash Setup Guide

• OPTION 2: Continuous Light Technical Image Evaluation Setup Guide (modeling lights, tungsten lights).  Continuous Light Setup Guide

• OPTION 3: Natural Light Technical Image Evaluation Setup Guide (window light, available light) Natural Light Setup Guide

All images submitted must be self-directed and not setup in a workshop environment or under direct supervision of an instructor.

All images must be photographed and uploaded in the smallest RAW format your camera allows.

Here are some pretty amazing resources to help you understand and submit a successful evaluation:

• BlickU Ordering Guide
• Setup Guide
• Equipment List
• Evaluation Criteria Checklist
• Electronic Flash Lighting Setup Guide
• Continuous Light Setup Guide
• Natural Light Setup Guide
• Electronic Flash Sample Image
• Continuous Light Sample Images
• Natural Light Sample Images
• Electronic Flash Lighting Diagram
• Continuous Light Diagram
• Natural Light Diagram
• FAQs
• Setup Guide for CPP Technical Image Evaluation Video
• Electronic Flash Scenario for CPP Technical Image Evaluation Video
• Continuous Light Scenario for CPP Technical Image Evaluation Video
• Natural Light Scenario for CPP Technical Image Evaluation Video
• Metering Basics for CPP Technical Image Evaluation Video
• Tips for CPP Technical Image Evaluation Video

Here is the evaluation criteria checklist which your three required images will be evaluated by. Each image must satisfy all the criteria listed and ALL THREE images must pass for your evaluation to pass. If one or more of your images does not pass you will need to resubmit all three images in another evaluation period.

Make sure you follow the checklist so your evaluation is successful!

If you have passed your exam and are an eligible candidate to submit your evaluation please go to the Certitfications portion of the myAchievements section in your myPPA account. From there you may upload your evaluation during any open evaluation period. Please see below for upcoming dates.

• Friday, February 22, 2019 12PM (noon) ET –  Friday, March 8, 2019 12PM (noon) ET
• Friday, April 19, 2019 12PM (noon) ET  –  Friday, May 3, 2019 12PM (noon) ET
• Friday, June 7, 2019 12PM (noon) ET –  Friday, June 21, 2019 12PM (noon) ET
• Friday, August 2, 2019 12PM (noon) ET –  Friday, August 16, 2019 12PM (noon) ET
• Friday, October 4, 2019 12PM (noon) ET – Friday, October 18, 2019 12PM (noon) ET