Rules & Regulations

This page will break down PPC's rules and regulations for the Annual Image Competition.

PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE COMPETITION GUIDELINES

These rules pertain to images entered as digital files created by any photographic process. All entries must be registered with PPColorado via PrintCompetition.com.

ELIGIBILITY

Entries must be submitted through the official PPC competition platform.
The entrant must have captured and created the original exposure(s) in all photographic categories, except where allowed in the Artist category.
Composite & painted images are NOT allowed in all categories, be sure to check category descriptions carefully.
All processing, manipulation, and rendering must be performed by the entrant or under their direct supervision.
The entrant must hold all necessary model and property releases.
Images created under direct supervision of an instructor or as part of a class assignment are not eligible.
- Note: Images created during a paid workshop/excursion while NOT under the guidance of the instructor(s) will be accepted. This means, for example, the maker was not in class and moved 30 feet but rather the image was created before or after the scheduled event and the maker set the exposure/lighting, scene, or otherwise independently created the image without instruction.
Any image derived from another person’s work without proper rights or permission is ineligible.
Entries featuring the same subject across multiple images must represent distinct concepts and executions.

PRIOR COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY

Images that have previously been entered into any PPC competition and scored 80 or higher may not be re-entered.
PPC recognizes the distinction between PPA’s Merit Image Review (MIR) and the International Photographic Competition (IPC):
- Images that have received a PPA Merit or IE through MIR are eligible as of 2026
- Images that have received a Bronze medal or higher at IPC (Grand Imaging Awards) are NOT eligible
Images that achieved a score of 80 or higher under the previous IPC (2022 or earlier) system are not eligible

IMAGE OWNERSHIP & CONTENT

The entrant must own the rights to all elements within the image.
In photographic categories, all elements must be created by the entrant.
In the Artist category, added elements must be created by the entrant or legally acquired.
AI-generated imagery or generated elements are not permitted in any category.
PPC reserves the right to refuse display of any image deemed inappropriate.

PRESENTATION & FILE REQUIREMENTS

Entries must be submitted as .jpg digital image files.
Mats, borders, and decorative presentation elements are not permitted, with the exception of plain white, black, or 50% grey mats in the artist category to properly display guide images.
Images will be .jpg & 4000 pixels on the long side
Text is allowed only if it supports the concept and does not identify the maker.
The entrant’s name, logo, or identifying information must not appear on the image.

WILDLIFE & ETHICAL PRACTICES

Wildlife images must reflect ethical and responsible photographic practices.
Entrants must comply with all applicable wildlife laws and regulations.
Images depicting harm, harassment, or unethical treatment of wildlife may be disqualified.
The competition committee may request original files for verification.

DRONE & AERIAL COMPLIANCE

All drone or aerial imagery must comply with FAA regulations and applicable laws.
The entrant is responsible for safe and legal operation.
Images captured in violation of regulations may be disqualified.

ENTRY REGULATIONS

Entrants may submit up to 10 images.
New 2026: NO BORDERS OR PRESENTATION will be allowed with the exception of the Artist Category.
No changes may be made after the entry deadline.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
No late entries will be accepted

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT

Entrants must be PPC members in good standing at the close of the competition entry window to be eligible for awards and recognition.
Membership status will be verified at the close of entries. Members are responsible for verifying membership standing to be eligible for awards, the Print Comp and Awards team will not reach out to encourage membership dues are paid.
Entrants are expected to understand and abide by all competition rules, as well as uphold the PPC Code of Ethics and the values of the organization.
Non Members may enter but are not eligible for awards with the exception of "Best Out of State" award. All other awards are reserved for Members in good standing.

JUDGING

Images will be judged using the PPA's Elements of a Merit Image
Judging will focus on the image itself, independent of presentation. Borders will no longer be applied with the exception of the artist category for including guide images.
Tie-Breaking:
- In the event of a tie for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place within a category, final placements will be determined by a majority vote of the judging panel. Judges will review the tied images in a closed session after public judging ends and assign placements based on consensus or majority decision.
- In the event of a tie for Photographer Of The Year, multiple makers will be celebrated as photographer of the year.
Judges are not informed of which category - Master / General - the maker is, all images are judged anonymously.

AWARDS

Awards are given for General & Master categories.
If you do not hold a PPA Master of Photography or Artist, you may enter General Photographer categories as deemed appropriate.
PPA Photographic Masters:
- PPA Master Photographers MUST enter Master Photographic categories.
- PPA Master Artists MUST enter the Master Artist Category
Master Photographer / General Artist Entry
- PPA Master Photographers who do not hold a PPA Master Artist degree may choose to enter the General Artist category for category award consideration.
- However, entries submitted in General Artist will NOT count toward Master Photographer of the Year regardless of the score.
- To be eligible for Master Photographer of the Year, a maker must submit at least six eligible entries in the Master Photographic categories. Only entries submitted in the Master Photographic categories will be used to calculate the maker’s Master Photographer of the Year score.
Awards are based on images that score 80 or higher with the exception of Judges Choice awards.
Category Awards
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards are given in each category based on image scores of at least 80 points
- New in 2026: Only one placement award per maker may be presented in each category. This ensures that, whenever possible, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place are awarded to three different makers.
- The highest scoring eligible image in a category shall receive 1st place. The next highest scoring eligible image in the same category, submitted by a different maker, shall receive 2nd place. The next highest scoring eligible image in the same category, submitted by a third unique maker, shall receive 3rd place.
- If fewer than three unique eligible makers qualify in a category, only the available qualifying placements shall be awarded. A maker may not receive more than one placement trophy within the same category.
Photographer of the Year (POY)
- Photographer of the Year awards (General and Master) are based on the cumulative score of each maker’s top 6 images, regardless of category awards.
- To be eligible for Master Photographer of the Year, a maker must submit at least six eligible entries in the Master Photographic categories. Only entries submitted in the Master Photographic categories will be used to calculate the maker’s Master Photographer of the Year score.
- PPA Master Photographers are not entitled to receive General Photographer of the Year designations.
Awards and recognitions may be adjusted at the discretion of the PPC Competition Committee.

RULE ENFORCEMENT

The Competition Committee, under oversight of the Executive Board, may review and disqualify entries that violate rules.
Decisions will be applied consistently.
The PPC Executive Board retains final authority over interpretation of all competition rules.

IMAGE COMPETITION FAQ

Do I have to be a PPC or PPA member to enter?

No. You do not have to be a PPC or PPA member to enter.

However, you must be a PPC member in good standing at the close of the competition entry window to be eligible for awards and recognition. Non-member entry fees may be higher.

Can I mix categories in my entries?

Yes. You may enter images in any combination of eligible categories, as long as each image is entered in the category that best represents the subject and method of creation.

The Competition Committee reserves the right to reassign entries to a more appropriate category before judging.

Are borders, mats, or decorative presentations allowed?

No. Mats, borders, and decorative presentation elements are not permitted.

The only exception is the Artist category, where plain white, black, or 50% gray mats may be used to display required guide images or source thumbnails.

Can I include my name, logo, or studio mark on the image?

No. Your name, logo, studio name, or any identifying information may not appear on the image.

Text may be used only if it supports the concept of the image and does not identify the maker.

Can I enter the same subject in more than one image?

Yes, but each image must represent a distinct concept and execution.

Images featuring the same subject should not look like minor variations from the same session, pose, setup, or idea.

Are composites allowed?

It depends on the category.

Composite and highly manipulated images are allowed only in categories where the rules specifically permit them.

Composite images are not allowed in categories such as Reportage / Photojournalism, Landscape / Nature, Drone / Aerial, and Wildlife.

Always check the category description before entering.

What happens if there is a tie for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place?

Ties for category placements will be determined by a majority vote of the judging panel. Judges will review the tied images in a closed session after public judging ends and assign placements by consensus or majority decision.

How do I know whether to enter General or Master categories?

If you do not hold a PPA Master of Photography or PPA Master Artist degree, enter the General categories.

PPA Master Photographers must enter Master Photographic categories.

PPA Master Artists must enter the Master Artist category.

If your PPA degree has been published by PPA before the close of PPC competition entry, you must enter the appropriate Master category.

What if I am a PPA Master Photographer but not a PPA Master Artist?

PPA Master Photographers who do not hold a PPA Master Artist degree may choose to enter the General Artist category for category award consideration.

However, General Artist entries will not count toward Master Photographer of the Year. To be eligible for Master Photographer of the Year, a maker must submit at least 6 eligible entries in the Master Photographic categories.

PPA Master Photographers are not eligible to receive General Photographer of the Year designations.

What file size should I use?

Images must be 4000 pixels on the long side and submitted according to PPC’s competition platform requirements.

Can I use AI-generated elements?

No. AI-generated imagery or AI-generated elements are not permitted in any category.

Who makes final decisions about rule interpretation?

The PPC Executive Board retains final authority over interpretation of all competition rules. The Competition Committee, under Executive Board oversight, may review and disqualify entries that violate the rules.

Can I change my image or title after the entry deadline?

No. No changes may be made after the entry deadline.

Prior to the close of submissions, entries may be changed by the maker in printcompetition.com as needed.

Late entries will not be accepted, and entry fees are non-refundable.

How is Photographer of the Year determined?

Photographer of the Year awards are based on the cumulative score of each maker’s top 6 eligible images.

General and Master Photographer of the Year are awarded separately.

If there is a tie for Photographer of the Year, multiple makers will be recognized.

How many images may I enter?

Entrants may submit up to 10 images.

You may enter fewer than 10, but some awards, including Photographer of the Year, are based on a maker’s top 6 eligible images. Entering at least 6 images gives you the best opportunity to qualify for those awards.

Can I re-enter an image from a previous PPC competition?

If the image was previously entered into any PPC competition and scored 80 or higher, it may not be re-entered.

Can I enter an image that has gone through PPA Merit Image Review or IPC?

Images that have received a PPA Merit or Imaging Excellence through MIR are eligible as of 2026.

Images that achieved a score of 80 or higher under the previous IPC system from 2022 or earlier are not eligible.

Images that received a Bronze medal or higher at the current IPC / Grand Imaging Awards are not eligible.

Can I use stock images, purchased elements, or someone else’s work?

In photographic categories, all image elements must be created by the entrant.

In the Artist category, added elements must be created by the entrant or legally acquired. The primary subject must originate from imagery created by the entrant, and all source elements used to create the final image must be included as thumbnails within the submitted file.

Can I enter an image created at a workshop?

Images created under direct supervision of an instructor or as part of a class assignment are not eligible.

Images created during a paid workshop or excursion may be eligible only if the maker created the image independently and was not under instructor guidance at the time.

How are category awards decided?

Category awards are based on eligible images scoring 80 or higher.

Only one placement award per maker may be presented in each category. Whenever possible, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be awarded to three different makers.

If fewer than three unique eligible makers qualify in a category, only the available qualifying placements will be awarded.