12. Competition

1. Who may enter image competition?

1.1 Full or Lifetime Members in good standing with Dallas PPA may enter the image competition.

2. When is Image Competition?

2.1 Image judging will generally be conducted on the Sunday prior to the DPPA general meetings (on a Saturday if Sunday is a celebratory day). The competition is scheduled to be held each month when there is a scheduled general DPPA meeting with the exception of August (Dallas Photography Summit) and December (Annual Awards Banquet). Monthly Competition results will be announced during the general DPPA meeting.

3. Entering Image Competition

3.1. The Image Competition will be conducted live utilizing the services of printcompetition.com. Entrants are required to have membership in the printcompetition.com system, at either membership level.

3.2. Each entrant is allowed to enter one image in the In-Camera Artistry Division, one image or one album in the Photographic Open Division, one image or one album in the Wedding Division, and one image in the Artist Division per monthly competition. Entrants may submit to only one category in each division per month.

3.3. A $15.00 fee will be assessed per image submitted. Entrants may enter all four divisions with a $15 fee assessed per division for a maximum case fee of $60.

3.4. Attendance at eight (8) of the Dallas PPA events during the competition year (Jan-Nov) is required to maintain eligibility for year-end awards. Qualifying events include any of the monthly membership meetings from January - July, September - November, the summer seminar (Dallas Photography Summit) and full day workshops. Members must sign-in at the above-mentioned events for the event to count towards attendance eligibility criteria.

3.5. A title is required for each entry.

3.6. All entries must be entered into the online competition system, and case fees must be paid, by 5:00 PM CT on the day prior to competition day. Once the online entry deadline has passed, no changes of any kind may be made by the entrant. Failure to pay your case fees prior to the online entry deadline will result in entry disqualification.

4. Preparing Your Images

4.1. In-Camera Artistry Division

4.1.1. A RAW file and the jpeg of the same RAW must be submitted for this division.

4.1.2. The jpeg must be sized to 4000 pixels on the long side.

4.1.3. The uploaded jpeg and RAW files must not be different in any way.

4.1.4. No presentation should be added to the submitted jpeg.

4.1.5. RAW images created using a cellphone or drone are NOT allowed.

4.1.6. Manipulatable RAW formats like DNG are not accepted in this category. Contact Director of Skills when in doubt about a specific RAW format’s acceptability in this Division.

4.2. Non- In-Camera Artistry’ Divisions

4.2.1. Files must be sized so the longest dimension is 4,000 pixels.

4.2.2. The files submitted must be in JPEG file format.

4.2.3. Each file must contain an embedded color profile of either sRGB or Adobe RGB1998.

4.2.4. File naming convention is flexible, but should not include the name of the entrant, or any verbiage that identifies the entrant.

4.3. Names of individuals or studios may not appear on the images or on the albums submitted.

5. Image Eligibility

5.1. Images may only be entered once, whether they are a single image, an image in an album or an element in a collage or composite.

5.2. Images begin their journey at DPPA. May not at any time have entered an Image competition or Image review (at any level).

5.2.1. Images judged in any other competition or PPA Merit Image Review are ineligible for entry into DPPA (including lateral entrances - other guilds). When you enter an image in another competition, once judging starts in that competition the image is no longer viable in DPPA.

5.2.2. An image can only be entered once into DPPA and once entered, it cannot be reworked and entered again.

5.3. Images submitted for image competition must be the result of the photographer’s independent creative control. This includes full authorship over composition, camera settings, lighting position, lighting adjustments, and final execution.

5.3.1. Ineligible images include those:

·       Created as part of a class assignment or under direct instructor supervision (where the instructor is actively guiding camera placement, lighting decisions, posing, or composition during the shoot).

·       Captured during a demo shoot where instruction is provided while the image is being made, or where settings or creative choices are being directed or templated by another party.

·       Captured in a location, at an event, or of individuals, where authorization for personal use is prohibited or a release is required and is not presented at the time of image submission.

5.3.2. Eligible images may include those made in shared or facilitated environments (e.g., workshops, tours, or staged locations) provided that:

·       The photographer independently directs the composition, subject interaction, posing, lighting placement, lighting adjustments, and camera settings. The concept may be something previously illustrated, viewed or inspired by others.

·       No direct instruction or step-by-step guidance is being provided at the time the image is captured.

·       The image reflects the photographer's own creative decisions, not a replication of a demonstrated setup during a workshop or class.

5.3.3. Entrants are expected to uphold the integrity of this rule and will be required to affirm the statement below affirming their authorship and compliance during the submission process.

5.3.4. “By submitting this image, I affirm that I was the sole creative author at the time of capture and that no instructor or guide was directly supervising my work, directing the image-making process or providing controlled lighting.”

5.3.5. Should they have any question as to the eligibility of their work, a maker should clarify with the Skills Director prior to submission. The competition committee reserves the right to disqualify any image found to be in violation. If a violation affects cumulative standings or year-end recognition, the entrant will be disqualified from current-year awards.

5.3.6. Should the violation occur near the end of the competition year— and the entrant is not otherwise eligible for that year’s awards; the disqualification will apply to the following year’s awards instead. Repeat or willful violations may result in extended suspension from future competitions.

5.3.7. The competition committee will be comprised of the Skills Director, the Chair, The President and two DPPA members qualified to act as Jurors in the monthly Image Competition. The Skills Director will chair the committee and break any tie votes. The maker must have an opportunity to present their position to the Committee before a ruling is made.

5.4. Entrants must have captured and created the original exposure(s) in the In-Camera Artistry, Photographic Open and Wedding Divisions. (If entering the Artist Division please refer to its rules).

5.4.1. All processing and manipulation must be done by the entrant or under their direct supervision.

5.4.2. Entries may include secondary or supporting elements not part of the original capture. These elements may or may not be created by the entrant, including but not limited to, AI-generated images, stock images, CGI, graphics, drawings or any other artwork. Guide images are required for each secondary element NOT created by the maker and must be included on the face of the presentation either below or along the side of the entry.

5.5. The entrant has obtained and has access to all necessary releases (model or property) and agrees to hold DPPA harmless against all claims and liabilities arising out of DPPA’s display of each image submitted. Note that some elements, such as AI- generated images, may not require copyright ownership, but entrants must ensure compliance with usage terms and provide proper attribution or guide images as required by Rule 5.4.2.

5.6. If an entry, in the good-faith opinion of DPPA, violates copyright, trademark, or any other applicable law, that entry shall not be accepted. This includes images that are illegally photographed on train tracks in the United States.

5.7. If an entry, in the good-faith opinion of DPPA, closely recreates or plagiarizes another work of art it will be disqualified.

5.7.1. Copying current or historical photographs, album, film, commercial or advertisement utilizing all or majority of visual elements and content is considered plagiarism unless the entry is represented with a different concept.

5.7.2. Emulating a popularized or established pose or style (such as baby in a bowl/basket/on beanbag, etc.; high school senior posed seated on stairs; pet photographed on a chair; birds on a branch, or the reinterpretation of an existing concept, is not considered plagiarism.

5.7.3. The DPPA Board will make the determination on whether an entry has been plagiarized, upon notification by any guild or board member, and this decision is final.

5.7.4. Once the work is determined to be plagiarized, the entry will be disqualified. The maker may also be disqualified from year end awards.

5.7.5. Any subsequent occurrences may result in termination of DPPA membership. All decisions by the board are final.

6. Competition Judging

6.1. Image judging shall begin at or after the scheduled competition start time, and once all judges are signed into the online competition system.

6.2. Entries will be judged in random order, starting first with entries in In- Camera Artistry, Photographic Open and Wedding Divisions, followed by Artist, in the following category order:

In-Camera Artistry

PO - Reportage

Wedding - Wedding

Wedding - Album

PO - All remaining non-Artist, non-Wedding categories randomized together.

Artist - Restoration

Artist - Creative Open

6.3. Competition will be executed by the Director of Skills, who may fulfill the role of Jury Chairman and Scorekeeper. These roles may also be filled by separate individuals if deemed necessary by the Director of Skills and/or by the Board of Directors.

6.4. Five Master photographers will judge the entries.

6.4.1. Judges must have merited at internationally recognized professional photography competitions/reviews within the last two years to be eligible to be on the judging panel.

6.4.2. If five Masters are not available, then Craftsmen or qualified persons will be asked to judge. (as deemed by the Director of skills and/or by the Board of Directors).

6.5. Scoring shall be based upon the following standards:

Exceptional 100-95

Superior 94-90

Excellent 89-85

Distinguished 84-80

Above Average 79-75

Average 74-70

Below Exhibition Standards 69-65

6.6. Ribbons will be awarded for first place and second place in each category.

6.7. ‘Distinguished Image’ ribbons will be awarded to the rest of the images that scored 400 or more.

6.8. These images or albums must have a minimum score of 400 to qualify for the ribbons.

6.9. One ribbon will be awarded monthly to the Top Scoring First Time Entrant. These images or albums must have a minimum score of 400 to qualify for the ribbon.

6.10. In the case of a tie, cumulative scores will be considered.

6.10.1 If still a tie, both entrants will be awarded a ribbon, except for the top score award for the month (traveling trophy).

6.10.2 In the case of a cumulative score tie for the traveling trophy, judges will determine the image/album for the top score award.

6.11. The winner of the top score award for the month will keep the trophy until the next meeting.

6.11.1 Trophy should be returned the following month.

6.11.2 In the event the trophy is not returned, the winner holding the trophy will present it to the new winner within 48 hours.

6.12 The Jury Chair will nominate one judge to choose the Judges Choice winner. The winner will be awarded a ribbon.

6.13 Monthly Image scores will be accumulated throughout the year and published on the DPPA website.

6.14 Individual judge’s scores will be kept confidential, but entrants are free to discuss their scores with the judges. Please use good manners when discussing scores or image competition with judges or other competitors.

6.15 The DPPA Board of Directors will settle any disputes arising from the competition. All decisions by the board are final.

7. Divisions

7.1. In-Camera Artistry Division

7.1.1. There are no separate categories under In-Camera Artistry Division.

7.1.2. Images of any subject matter may be entered into this division.

7.1.3. Images are entered Straight Out of Camera (SOOC) with no editing applied.

7.1.3.1. Images may not be manipulated in Photoshop or any other editing software.

7.1.3.2. Images may not be cropped, rotated, color balanced, exposure corrected, or changed in any way from the original capture.

7.1.3.3. RAW images created using a cellphone or drone are NOT allowed.

7.1.3.4. Manipulatable RAW formats like DNG are not accepted in this category. Contact Director of Skills when in doubt about a specific RAW format’s acceptability.

7.1.4. Both the RAW and jpeg format files must be uploaded to complete an entry in this category.

7.1.4.1. The uploaded jpeg and RAW files must not be different in any way.

7.1.4.2. Jpeg file is used for display in the competition system.

7.1.5. The Director of Skills will extract the embedded JPEG from the RAW file, and this file will be used for judging.

7.1.5.1. As embedded jpeg within the RAW file is used for judging, no additional presentation is allowed or possible.

7.1.6. In-camera presets (picture styles) can be applied, such as Monochrome mode, etc. The embedded JPEG within the RAW file will have those presets applied and will be used for judging.

7.1.7. Images created with in-camera techniques like double exposure, gels, shutter drag, etc. are allowed. Your creativity with in-camera techniques is your limit.

7.2. Photographic Open Division

7.2.1. The Photographic Open Division has six categories of entries.

7.2.2. Illustrative - Landscape/Nature:

7.2.2.1. Scenes or elements from nature where people are not the dominant feature of the image, including natural landscapes, cityscapes, seascapes, urban landscapes, and sunsets with or without people.

7.2.2.2. Wild animals in an uncontrolled lighting environment and zoo animals should be placed here.

7.2.2.3. Floral arrangements and other naturally occurring objects shot in the studio will be considered Illustrative - Landscape/Nature unless paired with or supported by significant or unusual nonorganic items.

7.2.2.4. Animals (domestic or wild) that are shot either in a studio or outdoors with structured lighting and under the control of the photographer, owner, or handler will be considered a portrait.

7.2.2.5. Finishing style does not dictate the placement of these subjects into any other category.

7.2.3. Illustrative – Commercial:

7.2.3.1. This category is used when images are created for a commercial client to advertise a product and promote a brand or company. This can be an interior or exterior of a structure or within an industrial environment.

7.2.3.2. Non-portrait and non-wedding images not explicitly defined in Landscape/ Nature may use this category, including photojournalism, non-commercial architectural, still life images containing a combination of organic and inorganic items captured in studio, and conceptual images that tell a story.

7.2.4. Portrait – People:

7.2.4.1. Portraits of individuals or groups (exceptions - those that meet the criteria for illustrative or wedding category). This category includes families, couples, children, models, fashion portraits, and tastefully artistic figure studies.

7.2.5. Portrait – Animal:

7.2.5.1. Animal and pet portraits use structured lighting in a studio or outdoor environment and where the owner, handler, or photographer controls the animal. Portraits of wild/outdoor animals photographed in the studio should also be placed here.

 

7.2.6. General Album

7.2.6.1. Albums may be of any subject except wedding events (bridal and engagement portrait albums with no images from a wedding event may be entered in this category). For instance, a general album may be a portrait album, commercial album, illustrative album, etc.

7.2.6.2. Album covers and all album pages must adhere to image submission specifications. (Long side 4000 pixels, color profile of either sRGB or Adobe RGB1998, etc.).

7.2.6.3. No multiple volume albums are allowed.

7.2.6.4. Each spread may contain as many images as you desire. An entry shall contain a minimum of 5 spreads up to 36 spreads.

7.2.6.5. Multi-Maker Album: If an album entry is from multiple makers (maximum of 2 makers), it will be judged as one entry but shall be counted as the album entry of each photographer with images in the album.

7.2.6.5.1. Each participating photographer must have a minimum of 20 images represented in the album.

7.2.6.5.2. The album entrants must have created all the images within the album. No other photographer’s images are allowed.

7.2.7. Reportage

7.2.7.1. Images that illustrate an actual public or non-public event, life, an area of human interest, telling news that has meaning on the context or record of events, high impact, and/or lasting emotional response.

7.2.7.2. Images that illustrate sporting events are included in this category.

7.2.7.3. ONLY basic color and brightness adjustments, cropping, noise reduction, dodging, and burning are allowed.

7.2.7.4. Elements may not be added or removed from the original capture in this category.

7.2.7.5. Only single-captured images will be accepted. Composite and multiple exposure images will not be accepted.

7.2.7.6. The original captured image (in RAW or jpg) must be available if requested by the committee.

7.3. Wedding Division

7.3.1. The Wedding Division has two categories of entries.

7.3.2. Wedding

7.3.2.1. Images from a bridal portrait session or wedding event, including traditional portraits, candids, or details.

7.3.2.2. Bridal portraits must be created in direct connection with a wedding assignment.

7.3.2.3. Portraits styled as bridal portraits that were not created as part of a wedding assignment may be entered in Photographic Open: Portrait - People.

7.3.3. Wedding Album

7.3.3.1. All photographs must be of the same wedding assignment.

7.3.3.2. May contain images from an engagement or bridal portrait session.

7.3.3.3 Album covers and all album pages must adhere to image submission specifications. (Long side 4000 pixels, color profile of either sRGB or Adobe RGB1998, etc.).

7.3.3.4. No multiple volume albums are allowed.

7.3.3.5. Each spread may contain as many images as you desire. An entry shall contain a minimum of 5 spreads up to 36 spreads.

7.3.3.6. Multi-Maker Album: If an album entry is from multiple makers (maximum of 2 makers), it will be judged as one entry but shall be counted as the album entry of each photographer with images in the album.

7.3.3.6.1. Each participating photographer must have a minimum of 20 images represented in the album.

7.3.3.6.2. The album entrants must have created all the images within the album. No other photographer’s images are allowed.

7.4. Artist Division

7.4.1. This division is for composites, paintings, restorations, and other elements that extend beyond traditional retouching and changing the entire scope of the finished product.

7.4.2. In addition to consideration of the 12 elements, the Artist Division evaluates the skill level of the artwork done to the image as well as creativity demonstrated by the maker.

7.4.3. Entries may be reproduced from existing photographs, portraits, graphics, AI-generated elements, or any other artwork, provided the entrant is prepared to provide appropriate written documentation indicating permission for usage where applicable.

7.4.4. The entrant does not need to have captured the photographic elements. Entrants may use an image or images in their entry that were not photographed by them. The scoring in this category is for digital, artistic and technical proficiency in bringing together the final image.

7.4.5. All processing, manipulation, artwork, or rendering must be done by the entrant.

7.4.6. No entry will be eligible that has been made under the supervision of an instructor or as a class assignment.

7.4.7. Entries in the artist division can include any subject.

7.4.8. Guide images are required for each entry and must be included on the face of the presentation either below or along the side of the artwork.

7.4.9. There are two categories in this division.

7.4.10. Artist – Restoration

7.4.10.1. This category is for restoration of damaged or aged images.

7.4.10.2. The original images may be old, faded, folded, torn, water damaged, etc. Submitted artwork may include repair of the damage, colorization, or other enhancements and may use photographic editing or painting techniques.

7.4.11. Artist – Creative Open

7.4.11.1. This category is for composites, paintings, and other elements that extend beyond traditional retouching, changing the entire scope of the finished product.

8. End of Year Awards

8.1. Division Awards – Non-‘In-Camera Artistry’ Divisions

8.1.1. At the end of the year, the eight highest monthly scores of each Full or Life member in each of the divisions, except the ‘In-Camera Artistry’ division, will be tallied to determine this award.

8.1.2. The scores of 400 or more are only considered for the tally.

8.1.3. These awards are based on the total points earned from January through November each year.

8.1.4. The EIGHT highest monthly scores will be added together for the participants’ total to compete for these awards.

8.1.5. This is a singular award.

8.1.6. Any entrant who earns this award in a specific division for two consecutive years will not be eligible for this award in that division in the third successive year. Entrants may continue to compete and will be eligible for all other awards in that division in the third year following two successive wins.

8.1.7. Following are the titles of the awards for respective divisions.

8.1.7.1. Photographic Open Division: Photographer of the Year

8.1.7.2. Wedding Division: Wedding Photographer of the Year

8.1.7.3. Artist Division: Artist of the Year

8.2. Division Awards – ‘In-Camera Artistry’ Division

8.2.1. The FOUR highest scores of each Full or Life member in the ‘In- Camera Artistry’ Division will be tallied to determine the first and second place winners.

8.2.2. The scores of 400 or more are only considered for the tally.

8.2.3. The participant must have a minimum of 4 entries in this division to be eligible for the award.

8.2.4. There is a first and second place award in this division.

8.3. Category Awards – Non-‘In-Camera Artistry’

8.3.1. The FOUR highest scores of each Full or Life member in each category in each Division, except ‘In-Camera Artistry’ division, will be tallied to determine the category winners.

8.3.2. The scores of 400 or more are only considered for the tally.

8.3.3. The participant can enter all the categories over a given year but must have a minimum of 4 entries in a given category to be eligible for the award.

8.3.4. There is a first and second place award in each category.

8.3.5. Albums with multi-makers will have the total monthly points given to each of the makers.

8.4. Special Awards

8.4.1. Special awards are singular awards.

8.4.2. Top Scoring CPP

8.4.2.1. The “Top Scoring CPP” award is for members who are Certified Professional Photographers.

8.4.2.2. Full or Life members who compete for this award must enter at least FOUR images FOLLOWING certification. Images entered prior to formal certification will not be eligible.

8.4.2.3. Images entered in In-Camera Artistry, Photographic Open and Wedding Divisions are considered for this award.

8.4.2.4. The FOUR highest eligible scores of each Full or Life member will be tallied to determine the award winner.

8.4.2.5. The scores of 400 or more are only considered for the tally.

8.4.2.6. It is the member’s responsibility to update their profile upon earning their CPP designation and notify the Skills Director when entering their first qualifying image.

8.4.3. Top Scoring First Year

8.4.3.1. The “Top Score First Year” award is for Full or Life members entering Dallas PPA image competition for the first time. This award is limited to an individual who has not at any time previously entered an Image competition or Image Review (at any level).

8.4.3.2. It is up to the individual to indicate that they are competing in their first year by answering the question “Is this your first year entering DPPA image competition?” This question should be answered with every entry during the entrant’s first year of competing at DPPA.

8.4.3.3. An individual may enter each month in any of the categories. The individual entrant must be the sole maker of an album (No multi-maker albums for this award.)

8.4.3.4. The “Top Scoring First Year” award is based upon the points earned from January through November of each year. The FOUR highest monthly scores will be added together for the participants’ total to compete for the award across all divisions.

8.4.3.5. The scores of 400 or more are only considered for the tally.

8.4.4. Top Score Black and White

8.4.4.1. This award may be given to Full or Life members.

8.4.4.2. The ‘Top Score Black and White’ award winner is determined by a highest scoring Black and White image entered throughout the year across all divisions.

8.4.4.3. The scores of 400 or more are only considered for this award.

8.4.5. Judge’s Choice

8.4.5.1. This award may be given to a Full or Life Members

8.4.5.2. This award is determined by jurors voting.

8.4.5.3. All eligible monthly judge’s choice images are sent for voting at the end of the year.

 

 

List of ‘End of The Year’ Awards

Award Type	Award	Based on # of Images	Singular?
Division	Photographer of the Year	8	Singular
Division	Wedding Photographer of the Year	8	Singular
Division	Artist of the Year	8	Singular
Division	In-Camera Artistry	4	1st and 2nd
Category	Illustrative – Landscape/Nature	4	1st and 2nd
Category	Illustrative - Commercial	4	1st and 2nd
Category	Portrait – People	4	1st and 2nd
Category	Portrait – Animal	4	1st and 2nd
Category	General Album	4	1st and 2nd
Category	Reportage	4	1st and 2nd
Category	Wedding	4	1st and 2nd
Category	Wedding Album	4	1st and 2nd
Category	Artist - Restoration	4	1st and 2nd
Category	Artist - Creative Open	4	1st and 2nd
Special	Top Scoring CPP	4	Singular
Special	Top Scoring First Year	4	Singular
Special	Top Score Black and White	1	Singular
Special	Judges Choice	1	Singular

 

 

8.5. Image Competition Medals

8.5.1. There are 10 monthly competitions between January and November, and for each score of 400 or more, a point is accumulated towards a medal in the corresponding division.

8.5.2. Medals will be awarded separately for In-Camera Artistry, Photographic Open, Wedding and Artist divisions.

8.5.3. The points accrued in a division count towards a medal in that division.

8.5.4. List of Medals awarded in each of the divisions.

8.5.4.1. 8 scores of 400+ = Diamond

8.5.4.2. 7 scores of 400+ = Platinum

8.5.4.3. 6 scores of 400+ = Gold

8.5.4.4. 5 scores of 400+ = Silver

8.5.4.5. 4 scores of 400+ = Bronze