Entering competition will help push you to become a better photographer. You will become aware of the 12 elements of a merit image (to learn more click the link below) and start incorporating them into your photography. You’ll challenge yourself to achieve higher scores and in the process, become better at your craft!

It may sound a little scary at first, but entering competition will help you to raise your photography to the next level.

Starting at the State level is a great way to get your feet wet and learn the basics so that you feel more confident about entering PPAs Merit Image Review.

Why should you enter Photographic Competition? 

• Learn to look at your work subjectively
• Engage with the passionate and supportive photographic competition community
• Help you become a better photographer and improve your craft
• Earn merits, recognition and admiration from your peers

12 ELEMENTS OF A MERIT IMAGE

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 manmade or natural, proper use of it should enhance an image.
• 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.
• Print Presentation affects an image by giving it a finished look. The mats and borders used should support and enhance the image, not distract from it.
• 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.
• Subject Matter should always be appropriate to the story being told in an image.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR IMAGE COMPETITION

• Transform / flip your image to see which way looks better.
• Use colors in image for .
• Quadrant of four – most interesting spot.
• Let other people that compete look at your work.
• Choose different images, not like the same old stuff.
• Zoom into image & go over thoroughly.
• Print on F surface or pearl paper. When you laminate the image, the colors aren’t sharp.
• Name your image – short & not one that’s hard to say or understand.
• Leave your image a day & go back later for a fresh look. It gets stale when you have worked on it for too long.
• Sharpen, but don’t over-sharpen your image.
• Filters get overused.
• Noise in an image gets it marked down.
• Check out the Zoom Library in the Members Only Section for Image Competition Workshops

IMAGE COMPETITION RULES

GEORGIA PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION 2025 RULES



The purpose of this competition is to allow photographers to enter digital files and digital albums to be judged against a standard of excellence using the 12 Elements of a Merit Image. We have Special Theme category that will change each year. Through this competition, GPPA members are eligible to achieve GPPA exhibition merits for your GPPA Master of Photography Degree. Must be a member of GPPA to be eligible for GPPA Awards. Non-members may compete, but are not eligible for Awards other than the Out of State Award.

These rules pertain to images entered as digital files captured either by film and transferred electronically or created with a digital camera or scanner:

1. All entries must be registered at www.printcompetition.com. For first time entrants, click on the new artist registration tab and fill out the info required. Pick GPPA and Register. Please read the entry form carefully and answer all required questions. 

2. Entrants may only submit digital files for judging this year

3. Entrants are required to upload a digital file for each image entered. 

4. No changes to your entry are permitted once the entry deadline has passed. No refunds will be issued after the entry

ELIGIBILITY



This contest is open to all photographers. You Do Not need to be a member of GPPA to participate.

1. Entrant must have captured and created the original exposure.

2. All processing, manipulation, and printing or rendering, were done by the entrant or under their direct supervision.

3. The entrant has obtained and has access to all necessary releases (model or property) and agrees to hold GPPA harmless against all claims and liabilities arising out of GPPA's display, publication and promotion, or other use of each image submitted to GPPA.

4. The entrant’s name SHALL NOT appear anywhere in or on the face of the entry.

5. There is no limit to how many entries may be submitted per entrant.

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

7. Entries of the same subject must be of different concepts.

8. Entry media includes digital files and digital albums.

9. Once an image has been awarded an exhibition merit (80+) in any category of GPPA’s Georgia Photographic Competition, it may not be entered again in any other category, at any time, by any entrant. No image that receives a merit may be entered more than once under any condition, including any image from a merited album.

10. Entry digital size is 4000 pixels on the longest side

PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION CATEGORIES

You must designate one of the below categories for each entry:

• PORTRAIT: Images can portray a subject or subjects and should reflect the personality of the subject(s).
• WEDDING: Images created at or in connection with a wedding
• ILLUSTRATIVE: Capturing the beauty of fine art, digital paintings, commercial objects, nature, wildlife, photojournalism, sports, industry and architectural areas is considered illustrative. Portraits and weddings are not appropriate for this category.
• ARTIST COMPETITION: A conceptual image altered or manipulated from its original condition. Creations can be a subtle application using post processing techniques, painting or a dramatic combination of details to suggest a larger story. The artist is responsible for the idea behind the image and the work done to create the finished art piece. Images can be either Creative or Artist Restoration. Entries in the Artist category shall include any subject and must have guide images attached if used. Guide images, must be included on the submitted digital canvas or mounted/included on the face of the print.
• SPECIAL CATEGORY: Southern Hospitality - Show us your best work featuring your interpretation of Southern Hospitality. This is an anything goes category so be creative!
• ALBUM: Albums can be of events, such as weddings, bar mitzvahs, or non-event portrait and storytelling albums

PRICING AND DEADLINES FOR 2025

1. Competition entries open on June 1, 2025, via printcompetition.com
2. Last day to enter is July 23, 2025
3. Judging will take place on July 25, 2025
4. Entry cost is $15 per entry for GPPA member $20 for Non-members
5. Critiques are $10 per image