International Print Competition Honors World's Best Photographic Images and Photographers
Winners to be published in commemorative collection and displayed at industry shows.
Atlanta, GA (Vocus) August 12, 2009
Professional Photographers of America (PPA) (www. ppa. com) announced today that the images for its 2009 General Exhibit and Loan Collection have been chosen. From a field of over 4,300 entries, a team of jurors selected almost 1,700 images for the General Exhibit. From that group, just over 500 images were chosen for the prestigious Loan Collection, an annual compilation of what is considered to be the highest quality work from around the world.
A panel of over 40 eminent jurors carefully trained to evaluate images based on stringent guidelines for technique, composition and creativity spent four days combing through the images, which are judged against the International Print Competition's 12 elements, not against one another. This standard of excellence is a point of pride with PPA members, not only as a form of recognition, but also as an opportunity to have their work evaluated, improve their craftsmanship and strengthen their business.
"A professional photographer who approaches every client engagement as if it's an entry for the International Print Competition will consistently produce better images, and that will translate into more clients," says Tomas Munoz (www. munozphotography. com), 18-time Loan Collection contributor and the youngest photographer ever to receive PPA's Imaging Excellence Award.
"Even with the recent economic downturn, our business has never been healthier. I attribute much of that to our attitude that every image should be a Loan Collection competitor," Munoz says. "My clients may not be able to tell you the technicalities of why an image merits, but if you show them a Loan Collection-quality wedding album next to one displaying poor technique, they'll certainly be able to tell you which is which."
Loan Collection images are published each year in the Loan Collection commemorative book. A second book, "Showcase," published by Marathon Press, features 200 images selected from the General Exhibit. Both collections will be on display in January at PPA's Imaging USA, one of the photographic industry's largest annual tradeshows and educational events, held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. The gallery will be open to the public and admission is free. Loan Collection images are also on display throughout the year at PPA headquarters in Atlanta, and various events worldwide.
"Viewing the exhibit is a moving experience. It gives you such a sense of appreciation for the artistry and skill that go into the creation of an exhibit-quality image," says Jim Dingwell, International Print Competition coordinator. "With the advances in digital cameras, just about anyone can take pictures, but when you see the heirloom quality of the exhibit images, you can visually understand the difference. These professional photographers are truly experts at their craft--the best of the best."
To see a list of General Exhibit and Loan Collection winners, visit www. ppa. com. For more information about Imaging USA, where the International Print Competition General Exhibit and Loan Collection will be displayed, visit www. imagingusa. org.
About Professional Photographers of America (http://www. ppa. com/)
Professional Photographers of America (PPA), the world's largest nonprofit association for professional photographers, exists to assist its 22,000 members in achieving their professional, artistic and fraternal goals; to promote public awareness of the profession; and to advance the making of images in all of its disciplines as an art, a science and a visual recorder of history. (www. ppa. com)
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