Digital Image Categories are:

The individual entering an image has the responsibility to determine the category in which the image is to be judged. To help decide which category to choose, please consider the following category definitions:

1. 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.
2. Weddings & Events are self-explanatory. An 'event ' does not have to be a wedding (i.e., it could be a Quinceañera, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, an anniversary, a corporate event, a special celebratory event, etc.) Only images taken during the event are permitted in this category. Images taken on days before or after, such as special bridal or couple sessions, should be placed either in the Portrait, Open Illustrative or Artist categories.
3. Commercial images are associated with advertising or industrial illustration (such as seen in annual reports). Besides judging on the 12 elements of a merit image. A Guide image(s) must be included on the face of the entry, as to show how the intent/direction, or is being used. Judges will also heavily consider how well the image would work with layout and typography in the selling of a product or idea.
4. Photojournalism - Image captured at the peak of action and telling a story. Nothing may be altered. Minor dodging, burning, dust spot removal, cropping, curves adjustment, and conversion to black-and-white are the only treatments allowed. The maker must be prepared to submit the original file at any point for verification.
5. Open Illustrative is a catchall category for everything that is NOT Portrait, Wedding, Event or Commercial. The image may contain people or animals where portraiture is not the primary focus of the image, such as sports photography or animal action. Landscapes, nature and macro photography would also fall into the illustrative category.
6. Artist represents images that fundamentally alter the original image(s} captured by the camera, including images that were never captured by a camera. Entries may be created in various artistic mediums. Entries may include freehand drawing or painting in traditional or digital applications. Entries can include stock photography, photographs or artwork from other artist(s) with written consent to use those sources. Documentation may be requested by the Image Competition Chairperson before, during or after the competition.  Judges rate computer skills, artistic skills and how ideas are represented, as well as the 12 elements of a merit print. NOTE: Guide images must be included on the face of the entry.
   For guide image samples go to https://www.ppa.com/events/photo-competitions/ipc-gallery and select the Artist Category, then select either the Merit or Image Excellence Collection.

• Five (5) or (3) judges will be chosen by the Image Competition Chairperson or person designated by the Image Competition Chairperson.
• Judges must be PPSV professional members or special visitors (PPA/PPC Approved Judges, PPA/PPC Masters, PPA CPP's, or as determined by the Image Competition Chairperson)
• Judging will be based on PPA's 12 Points of a Merit Image and additionally, in the case of the Artist category, computer and artistic skills.
• The following PPA Scoring Categories will be used to rate each entry:

SCORE  GRADE LEVEL
100-95  Exceptional
94-90    Superior
89-85    Excellent
84-80    Deserving of a Merit
79-75    Above Average
74-70    Average
69-65    Below Exhibition Standards

• Tabulation of points will be the responsibility of the Competition Chairperson or by one or more PPSV members as directed by the Competition Chairperson.
• All points will be recorded for future reference.
• On prints scoring an average of 70 or better, an automatic challenge will be issued if a point spread of ten (10) points exists between one or more judge's score and the resulting average score. In the case of more than one outlier score, the judge who scored highest will comment first, followed by the judge who scored low.