International Photographic Competition Goes Online for 2020

PPA’s International Photographic Competition  hosted annually by Professional Photographers of America isn’t really a competition at all. It’s an opportunity for photographers to have their images evaluated by trained jurors and to receive constructive feedback from them. With a long history of identifying excellence, IPC challenges photographers to grow their artistic and technical skills by creatively capturing and then presenting their best images for review.

This year, in response to concerns surrounding COVID-19, PPA has developed a touchless platform to allow judging to take place entirely online. As in years past, members and nonmembers will be able to watch the judging action via online livestreaming Oct. 18-23. 

During the October judging, IPC jurors will select merited images based on the 12 Elements of a Merit Image from the safety of their homes and studios. Images that merit are then judged for the opportunity to become part of PPA’s prestigious Loan Collection—the best of the best in photography.

Last year’s event saw the introduction of a new category—wedding photography—as part of PPA’s new master of wedding photography degree. This category was designed to account for realities and practicalities photographers face as they capture real-world nuptials, which could include venues that don’t accommodate desired lines of sight, inopportune weather, and other less-than-ideal conditions.

IPC livestreaming is open to everyone, allowing entrants to watch their images be judged and non-entrants to gain an understanding of the 12 Elements of a Merit Image.