Quarterly Print Competition Rules


Click here to download the PDF version of these rules.

  1. Entrants - Only Active, Life and Intern members are eligible.

  2. Categories
    • A. Portrait - Photographs of any person or group of people. Bridal or wedding portraits are not eligible.
    • B. Wedding - All photographs pertaining to brides, weddings or social events.
    • C. Creative/Unclassified - Pictorials, scenic, graphic art, pets or any subject matter with a creative theme should be entered in this category. Images that have been retouched or enhanced using digital methods or images that have been creatively altered using digital filters should also be entered in this category.
    • D. Art Tech/Electronic Imaging (Art EI) - Print entries may include up to three (3) guide images (of any size but not larger than 8x10) showing the original starting images. A wide range of images can be entered in this category and may include restorations, composites or significantly changed images. The guide images are not required, however, finished images showing the highest level of Art and Electronic Imaging expertise will be easy to see when the guide images are used.
    The print chairperson has the right to question the category of any entry. The judges have the option to change the classification and their decision is final.

  3. Entries allowed - The total number of entries permitted is four (4) and no more than three (3) in one category. The following prints are not eligible; CPPA Convention Blue Ribbon winners, Rueben Shaler Award, Hallmark Award, Century Award, Kodak Gallery and Fuji Masterpiece winners. PPA or PPANE entries scoring 80 or above are also not eligible. No two photographs shall be of the same subject.

  4. Mounting and titles - All (non Master) prints must be mounted on maximum 16 x 20 mount board or a minimum 15½ x 19½ inch mount board. The suggested mounting thickness is 1/8" to 3/8". OVERLAY MATS ARE PERMITTED. Frames and Glass are not permitted. Prints may be any shape. No foreign material may be added to the front or back surface of the print other than standard retouching material. All entries must be titled or they will be disqualified.

  5. Masters - The presentation (including image) may be of any proportion or shape, but may not be smaller than 80 square inches or larger than 480 square inches with the longest dimension 24 inches (if an entry is 24 inches long on one dimension, the maximum other dimension is 20"). Prints exceeding the maximum or minimums will be disqualified. The suggested mounting thickness is 1/8" to 3/8". All prints must be titled.

  6. Entries not meeting size requirements - These prints will be judged by the panel but will not be allowed to receive points, corners or ribbons. The makers will be advised for future competitions.

  7. Print case fee - The fee for each print case with up to four (4) prints is $11.00. This can be paid by cash or check the day of the competition.

  8. Point system - All prints scoring 78 or above will receive corners and prints scoring 80 or higher will be judged for ribbons. The highest scoring print will automatically receive "Best in Show", the next highest will receive "First Place" followed by "Second Place" and then "Third Place." When there are multiple prints with the same score that are up for ribbons, they will be reviewed by the judges.

Best in Show - 6 points

1st Place - 4 points

2nd Place - 3 points

3rd Place - 2 points

Corners - 1 point


Photographer of the Year in each category (Non-Master) - Points are accumulated April through January in each category. The photographer with the highest point score in each category will win Photographer of the Year for that category. The photographers in this competition can be PPA Certified but cannot be Masters.

Certified Photographer of the Year (Non-Master) - Points will be accumulated from each category entered and the individual with the highest cumulative points will be awarded Certified Photographer of the Year.

Master Photographer of the Year Points will be accumulated from each category entered and the individual with the highest total cumulative points will be awarded Master Photographer of the Year.


Electronic Image Competition - Beta Testing

CPPA has decided to try electronic print competition. Here are the specifics:

  • The image competition monitor is capable of displaying Adobe 1998 color space. You may choose your own color space but we recommend Adobe 1998.
  • Use the marquee tool to mark your crop. Set the style to 'Fixed Aspect Ratio'. For horizontal images, width=5, height=4. For vertical images, width=4, height=5.
  • Once you've drawn your marquee, choose Image-Crop from the dropdown menus.
  • Then go to Image-Image Size and set the dpi to 300. For horizontal images, set the pixel dimensions to 1313 x 1050. For vertical images, set the pixel dimensions to 1050 x 840. Click ok.
  • Go to File-File Info and fill in the details. The image title should go in Document Title. The photographer's name should go in Author. The category should go in Author Title.
  • Save the file as a JPG.

Your image is now ready to send by email to the print competition chairman. You will receive more details in CPPA's email reminder before the competition.