As part of the PPA Charities Photo-Education-A-Thon held yesterday I put together a periscope on how I use PPA Imaging Competition to enhance my business marketing as well as improving my photography skills. I believe that participating in Imaging Competition has helped shape and form my skills and the photographer I’ve become… Here’s the video. BTW it was for PPA Charities which is a big supporter of Operation Smile and other charities photographers are interested in. So if you have gotten an idea or two you can use how about clicking on the link and making a small donation?
Learn how I use Imaging Competition to help promote my business.
Here are some links to show how I’ve shared some of my competition results and my feelings in more depth via the blog…
Received a nice piece of mail the other day celebrating the images from my Artist case at Professional Photographers of America (PPA). It was the certificate indicating that I was named a Silver Medalist in the International Imaging Competition.
The Silver Medalist certificate from the Artist Competition
There’s a new triangle on my ribbons. Once you have earned a degree from PPA you are charged to wear the ribbons and degree designations to all PPA and PPA Affiliated events. As former President Ralph Romaguera once said. “When you see people wearing these ribbons and medals don’t be intimidated, they indicate permission to ask questions and talk about photography!”
Earning the Silver Medal also made me an Elite Photographer for the following year because I have earned and Imaging Degree along with a Photographic Craftsman Degree and earned the Certified Professional Photographer designation. The Elite Photographer Award is only given to a few photographers in any year. I find myself extremely fortunate and thankful…
Thanks to Karl Mullings, a photographer in Flagstaff, Arizona, for this reminder of a quote from one of his and my mentors, Donald Jack.
It came up in a forum post about how a photographer wouldn’t participate in Imaging Competition run by Professional Photographers of America. This almost 30 year photographer claims that their reward comes from hugs and referrals to other clients and there is no need to receive any other acclaim.
I now take you to the quote from Donald…
“If you have nothing to compare something to, then what you have in front of you is the very best that it can be.” ~Donald Jack
I applaud every photographer in their efforts to become better in whatever way they can. I suggest that using the PPA system of Competition accelerates that growth. When a photographer competes against themselves and push themselves through PPA’s competition system with peers they see an incredible leap in the depth and dimension of their imagery…. I’ve seen it time and time again.
Why does that matter? “Clients are happy with the photographs I supply them.”
Better photography. It translates to more and larger sales and being able to raise prices along with opportunities to create press releases and social marketing pieces that give more credence to someone looking to choose a photographer, not to mention staying front of mind in your community.
What are you waiting for? Give it a shot and see how fast your image making skills grow.
I believe I am the photographer I am today because of imaging competition.
It has pushed me to make better photos.
It has pushed me to increase my skills.
It has given me material to be visible in my community because of success and awards and degrees that turned into press releases.
Most of all… it has given me confidence!
I highly recommend getting into imaging competition if you are not already there. You can watch how it works and learn what the judges are looking for by watching the live streaming coming your way in early August. In addition watch for Booray Perry, Cr.Photog., CPP for a peek behind the scenes and interviews. The streaming is available for members of Professional Photographers of America (PPA) as one of many benefits…
The rest of the details are available on the PPA web site. Dates, times, instructions, etc… here.
I’ll be one of the jurors and look forward to seeing all of the images members have put forth this year for feedback. Remember this ‘competition’ is with yourself. Images are judged against a standard (see the Twelve Elements below) and not against each other… Until it’s time for the Grand Imaging Awards and the International Photo Cup.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
The Twelve Elements
1.) Impact is the sense one gets upon viewing an image for the first time. Compelling images evoke laughter, sadness, anger, pride, wonder or another intense emotion. There can be impact in any of these twelve elements.
2.) Technical excellence is the print quality of the image itself as it is presented for viewing. Retouching, manipulation, sharpness, exposure, printing, mounting, and correct color are some items that speak to the qualities of the physical print.
3.) Creativity is the original, fresh, and external expression of the imagination of the maker by using the medium to convey an idea, message or thought.
4.) Style is defined in a number of ways as it applies to a creative image. It might be defined by a specific genre or simply be recognizable as the characteristics of how a specific artist applies light to a subject. It can impact an image in a positive manner when the subject matter and the style are appropriate for each other, or it can have a negative effect when they are at odds.
5.) Composition is important to the design of an image, bringing all of the visual elements together in concert to express the purpose of the image. Proper composition holds the viewer in the image and prompts the viewer to look where the creator intends. Effective composition can be pleasing or disturbing, depending on the intent of the image maker.
6.) Presentation affects an image by giving it a finished look. The mats and borders used, either physical or digital, should support and enhance the image, not distract from it.
7.) Color Balance supplies harmony to an image. An image in which the tones work together, effectively supporting the image, can enhance its emotional appeal. Color balance is not always harmonious and can be used to evoke diverse feelings for effect.
8.) Center of Interest is the point or points on the image where the maker wants the viewer to stop as they view the image. There can be primary and secondary centers of interest. Occasionally there will be no specific center of interest, when the entire scene collectively serves as the center of interest.
9.) Lighting —the use and control of light—refers to how dimension, shape and roundness are defined in an image. Whether the light applied to an image is man-made or natural, proper use of it should enhance an image.
10.) Subject Matter should always be appropriate to the story being told in an image.
11.) Technique is the approach used to create the image. Printing, lighting, posing, capture, presentation media, and more are part of the technique applied to an image.
12.) Story Telling refers to the image’s ability to evoke imagination. One beautiful thing about art is that each viewer might collect his own message or read her own story in an image.
If you are a PPA member you’ll be able to stream the International Photographic Competition (IPC).
Even if you don’t have images in the competition there’s a wealth of information and ideas that get shared during challenges.
A challenge is put forward whenever one of the jurors doesn’t agree with the result of an image being accepted as a Merit or non Merit. The challenger states his/her reasons. The other jurors respond with their thoughts and the challenger has an opportunity to rebut then the image is scored again. Sometimes it seems as if the judging is moving quickly. But, please remember there are 7 sets of eyes, 6 jurors and the Jury Chair, and any one of those may challenge the result. Sometimes if an image goes by and a juror feels it was missed the image can be called back for further review. We are all charged with doing the absolute best for our makers while still protecting the value of the Merit which is the basis for earning the imaging degrees of Master of Photography and Master Artist.
By the way PPA members are invited and encourages to watch the process live. The event is held just outside Atlanta.
Here’s one of my images that was accepted into PPA’s Loan Collection last year. Here’s a link to all eight images that either were awarded a Merit or Loan Collection status.
Which is why I continue to participate in the Imaging Competition through Professional Photographers of America (PPA) after 16 years.
Probably the word Competition should be removed as it implies that you are competing against others as at a sporting event. Not so. You are competing against a standard and your personal past performance. This is an incredible learning opportunity
Entries are open for the International Photographic Competition (IPC).
You can get more details and see a slide show of the 2014 PPA Loan Collection here
If you are a PPA member and not participating in Photographic Competition I believe you are missing out on one of the best benefits of your membership. The feedback you get from putting your images in front of trained fellow photographers is very important. I would have to say that Imaging Competition has been one of the driving forces in making me a better photographer, growing my skills exponentially.
Take advantage of this opportunity. If you get the chance PPA members can view the judging live in Lawrenceville, just outside Atlanta, GA. Another option is to view the judging via the Live Streaming. If you have images in the competition don’t forget to order the critiques for your images. You get a video review with one juror giving you feedback on what was good about your image but even more important how it might be improved.
So get your images together and compete with yourself to be the best photographer and image maker you can be.
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