Below you will find the Official Rules for entering TAPPA's semi-annual formal print competition. TAPPA rules are written to conform to the guidelines set forth by the Florida Professional Photographers annual print competition rules. Should you have any questions, you can contact the Salon Chairman, John Miller at jmill8@tampabay.rr.com. Entry forms and Labels are available here in PDF format, or in our newsletter, The TAPPA Tribune.

Get the Salon Rules in PDF format by clicking here.
Get the Print of the Month rules in PDF format from here
 
#1) ELIGIBILITY:
Any ACTIVE, ASSOCIATE, ASPIRING, or STUDENT TAPPA member whose dues are current.
#2) ENTRY FEES:
The entry fee for print competition is $5 if you are attending the competition, or $15 if you are not attending. NOTE: There is no entry fee for the Monthly print competition.
#3) ENTRIES ALLOWED:
You are allowed to enter from one to six (1-6) entries of either Prints, 4x5 Transparencies,
or Albums. Images that have already merited in any TAPPA Salon are ineligible. Images that have competed yet not merited in any TAPPA Salon will be allowed.
#4) IDENTIFICATION OF ENTRIES:
The name of the maker, the entry number from the entry form, and the classification must appear in the top center of the back of each entry. (See forms to fill out and attach to each entry). Titles are optional and if no title is provided, a number will be assigned by the competition committee for identification purposes. The name of the maker is not allowed on the front of any entry. A title may appear in the image if the title is an integral part of that image.
#5) PRINT CASES AND DEADLINES:
TAPPA suggests that all entries be delivered in standard 16x20 fiber or metal cases. If you choose to deliver your entries in a plastic bag, TAPPA will assume no liability for damage done to the print during competition. Only one (1) individual's entries are allowed per case. All cases must be received by the salon committee on or before 6:30 PM on the day of judging.
#6) CLASSIFICATION OF ENTRIES:
Entries must be designated by the entrant in one of the five (5) categories listed on the entry form. If the chairman feels the entry is placed in an incorrect category, he/she may change the entry's category. Color and Black & White images will be judged together in all categories.

#7) CATEGORIES:
PORTRAIT: This category includes portraits of men, women, children, couples (2 people), groups (3 or more), and environmental portraits.

STORYBOOK: This category is for albums that document an event, such as a Wedding, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, Anniversary, etc. It is also for albums that document an individual(s) and is geared to tell a story.

SOCIAL FUNCTION: This category includes bridal portraits, wedding portraits, wedding candids and Bar/Bat Mitzvah portraits on location.

COMMERCIAL: This category includes illustrative, industrial, architectural, and product photography. Live models may be used for these entries.

UNCLASSIFIED: This category includes abstracts, pictorials (non-portrait), figure studies, animals, and photojournalism.

ELECTRONIC IMAGING: This category includes digital retouching, digital colorization, digital restoration, or digital illustrative images where the entrant’s intent is to display their digital expertise. All the digital work must have been done by the entrant of the work. These images may be submitted as either 16x20 or 20x24. On all entries for digital restoration or digital retouching, a “before” image is required. This image may be either mounted separately on an 8x10 and attached to a 16x20, or be part of the 20x24 print
#8) MOUNTING:
For all categories (except E.I.), images may be any size up to 16x20 inches, however, all prints must be permanently mounted on a 16x20 inch mat or foam board. All images in the E.I. category may be submitted as either 16x20 or 20x24 and must be mounted. The combined thickness of the print and mount shall be a minimum of 1/8 inch and a maximum of 1/4 inch. No “stand-out” mounts will be allowed. Any entries that have foreign material on the front of the print that the chairman feels will damage other entries will be disqualified. Tear sheets are encouraged, but not required in the commercial category. Tear sheets must be enclosed in an envelope and attached to the bottom center on the back of the entry.
#9) TRANSPARENCIES:
Transparencies are acceptable in the commercial and unclassified categories only. 4x5 transparencies must be masked and mounted on a 12x12 inch black mat with the viewing area (minimum of 1 1/2" x 2") cut from the mat. If you are entering Transparencies, you must provide a small light table for viewing your images.

#10) SCORING PROCEDURE AND JUDGING:
The Florida Professional Photographers point system will be used:
100-95 Exceptional
94-90 Superior
89-85 Excellent
84-80 Very Good
79-76 Good
75-74 Average
73-70 Fair
69-0 Unacceptable

All entries receiving initial scores of 78 to 81 are automatically challenged and reviewed. On the re-judging, the change of a score is by majority vote of the judges. The final score will be the official score on these and any other challenged entries.

A three person panel of judges, consisting of a majority of Masters of Photography or holders of the Florida Degree of Photographic Excellence or those with a minimum of 8 print merits toward either degree will judge the photographic entries. Lighting specifications will be to PPA standards.
#11) COMPETITION CHAIRMAN:
The Chairman will have the authority to decide any questions not specifically covered by these rules. The decision will be final. All entries not following these rules will be automatically disqualified.
#12) AWARDS:
Ribbons will awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place in each category provided they score an 80 or above. Merit ribbons will be awarded to all prints scoring an 80 or above. A Best of Show ribbon will be awarded to the print judged best by the panel of judges.