Image Competition Categories

Image competition entries are judged according to the category identified when the image is submitted.

A. Studio Portrait - Photographic image of a subject in a studio environment.
The portrait may be of individuals, groups, or animal(s), where the primary focus is on the subject(s) portrayed. Minor enhancements, such as use of filters, overlays, painting, etc., are acceptable as long as they don't fundamentally alter the image's focus on the person, group or animal.
 
B. Environmental Portrait - Photographic image of a subject other than in a studio.
The portrait may be of individuals, groups, or animal(s), where the primary focus is on the subject(s) portrayed. Minor enhancements, such as use of filters, overlays, painting, etc., are acceptable as long as they don't fundamentally alter the image's focus on the person, group or animal.
 
C. Social / Special Event (Wedding) - Photographic image pertaining to Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Quinceañera, reunions, parties, or other social events are suggested use for this category.
Images can portray a subject or subjects from all aspects of the event including traditional portraits, candids or detail work.
 
D. Unclassified / Illustrative - Creative, scenic, landscape, photographic art, photojournalism, etc. are suggested for this category.
Capturing the beauty of nature, wildlife, industry, and architectural areas are considered illustrative. This category shares joy and adventures while expressing a sense of place. Wild animals in an uncontrolled lighting environment, zoo animals,  flowers, seascapes, cityscapes, urban landscapes, and sunsets with or without people can be placed here, in addition to images created for a commercial client to advertise a product and promote a brand or company. This can be the interior or exterior of a structure or within an industrial environment. Illustrative can also be conceptual images that tell a story.
 
E. Master Artist - This category is for images that are fundamentally altered from the original image(s) captured by the camera, including composite images and images that were never captured by a camera. 

This would include composites, very heavy use of filters or painting, computer generated artwork, etc. 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.

• The maker must do all processing, manipulation, artwork, or rendering.
• Entries may be reproduced from existing photographs, portraits, graphics, or any other artwork so long as the maker is prepared to provide appropriate written documentation indicating permission for usage.
• Entries in the Artist category shall include any subject and must have guide images.
  Guide images, a small but recognizable gallery of the component images included in a composite, must be included on the submitted digital canvas.

N. Non-Member Open - This category is for images entered by makers who are not PPSCV affiliate members. This category is open, and can include images from any of the categories above.
Not all competitions will have a non-member category. Non-member entries are not eligible for awards or prizes.