Congratulations on making the decision to enter into the IPC! This is a fantastic opportunity to put your skills to the test and to grow as an artist.
And whether you’re entering the Photographic Open Competition, Wedding Competition, or the Artist Competition (have you made your pick yet?), we recommend you take some time to go over the rules and regulations for each.
There are plenty of resources to prepare you to submit your best possible entry. And the rules are explained extensively below because we want you to excel! Don’t rush through this page, because failure to comply with IPC’s rules could result in your disqualification! We don’t want that!
The purpose of this competition is to allow photographers to enter photographic prints, digital files, and/or digital albums to be judged against a standard of excellence using the 12 Elements of a Merit Image. (For more information, visit the Competition Resources page.) Through this competition, PPA members are also eligible to achieve PPA exhibition merits toward the Master of Photography degree.
Within one week after the judging, entrants will be notified via the PPA website of their achievement. Press releases will also be available as soon as possible for download from the PPA website for General and/or Image Excellence Collection entries.
These rules pertain to images entered as prints or digital files created by any photographic processes. All entries must be registered at PPA.com.
Entries of the same subject in multiple images will be allowed, as long as the images are entirely different concepts.
You must designate one of the below categories for each entry.
See the IPC Video Tutorials here.
Images in the album must be the work of two entrants, with a minimum of 20 images per entrant. Each entrant must individually enter the competition and pay appropriate entry fees. Multi‐maker albums will be judged as one entry. Each entrant must use the same title when entering a multi‐maker album.
NOTE: Failure to comply with these rules may result in disqualification of entry. The decision of the International Photographic Competition Committee is final.
For color management help, see the IPC Video Tutorials here.
The purpose of this competition is to allow the entrant to demonstrate their art skills and expertise in pursuit of the PPA Master Artist degree (previously known as Master of Electronic Imaging degree). Entries will be judged for digital, artistic, and technical proficiency. Entries can be created using digital or traditional art (such as painting and airbrush) or a combination of both. Through this competition, PPA members are also eligible to achieve PPA Artist Exhibition Merits toward the PPA Master Artist degree.
You must designate one of the below categories for each entry.
See the IPC Video Tutorials here.
Images in the album must be the work of two entrants, with a minimum of 20 images per entrant. Each entrant must individually enter the competition and pay appropriate entry fees. Multi‐maker albums will be judged as one entry. Each entrant must use the same title when entering a multi‐maker album.
NOTE: Failure to comply with these rules may result in disqualification of entry. The decision of the International Photographic Competition Committee is final.
For color management help, see the IPC Video Tutorials here.
The purpose of this competition is to allow photographers to enter photographic prints, digital files, or digital albums to be judged against a standard of excellence using the 12 Elements of a Merit Image. (For more information, go to PPA.com/IPC.) In addition to the twelve elements, for an image to be merit-worthy in the wedding competition, additional evaluation will be considered for the entries that illustrate the personality of the subject or subjects and the story of the wedding as well as the artistic and technical skills of the image-maker. Judges will keep in mind that the maker has limited control over many aspects of a wedding. For example: subject matter, environment and time of day. Ultimately, additional consideration will be given to the maker for technically and artistically executing at a merit level in spite of challenges involved at a typical wedding.
Through this competition, PPA members are also eligible to achieve The PPA Master of Wedding Photography degree.
Images and all elements of an image in the Wedding competition must be created in connection with an actual wedding. The entrant or entrants must have captured all elements of the final submission from that wedding. Images in the Wedding competition should reflect the personality or personalities of the subject(s) or the story of the wedding as well as the personality, artistic and technical skills of the image-maker. Images should include some kind of visual wedding reference(s). The original captured image (in RAW or jpg) must be available if requested by the IPC committee.
These rules pertain to images entered as physical prints, digital files or digital albums created by traditional photographic processes as well as those captured electronically with a digital camera or scanner:
You must designate one of the below categories for each entry.
WEDDING OPEN: Images can portray a subject or subjects from all aspects of a wedding including traditional portraits, candids or detail work.
SINGLE MAKER WEDDING ALBUM: Multiple images combined into a digital album collection exclusively showcasing a specific wedding.
MULTI‐MAKER WEDDNG ALBUM: Images in the album must be the work of the two entrants, with a minimum of 20 images per entrant. Each entrant must individually enter the competition and pay appropriate entry fees. Multi‐maker Wedding albums will be judged as one entry.
See the IPC Video Tutorials here.
Images in the album must be the work of two entrants, with a minimum of 20 images per entrant. Each entrant must individually enter the competition and pay appropriate entry fees. Multi‐maker albums will be judged as one entry. Each entrant must use the same title when entering a multi‐maker album.
NOTE: Failure to comply with these rules may result in disqualification of entry. The decision of the International Photographic Competition Committee is final.
For color management help, see the IPC Video Tutorials here.
Images can portray a subject or subjects from all walks of life and should reflect the personality of the subject(s).
Capturing the beauty of nature, wildlife, industry, and architectural areas are considered illustrative.
Images created at or in connection with a wedding.
A conceptual image altered or manipulated from its original condition. Creations can be a subtle application using post-processing techniques or a dramatic combination of details to suggest a larger story. The artist is responsible for the idea behind the image and the work done to create the finished art piece.
PLEASE NOTE: PPA WILL NO LONGER BE RETURNING INTERNATIONAL PHYSICAL PRINTS. PLEASE SUBMIT ALL INTERNATIONAL PRINTS IN A CARDBOARD BOX OR OTHER DISPOSABLE SHIPPING CONTAINER.