IMAGE CATEGORIES
For the current categories please visit the Official Rules page.
PORTRAIT
Child
Portrait containing a child or children from birth to age 15.
Male
Portrait where the main subject is an adult male. (18 +)
Female
Portrait where the main subject is an adult female. (18+)
Group
Portrait of multiple subjects that may include families, couples, or other groupings.
Pets
Portrait where a domestic animal is the main subject. The photographer has control of lighting (studio and natural), and environment. The photographer works with an assistant or owner in a controlled environment.
High School Seniors
Portrait where the main subject is between the ages of 16 and 18. This category includes standard portraits, stylized portraits, and sports/dance collages.
ILLUSTRATIVE
Images from wide a range of subject matter. Nature, landscape, wildlife, abstract, and conceptual art are considered illustrative.
Abstract
This category is for images that express ideas and emotions with photographed image elements without the intention of creating a traditional or realistic image. They may be achieved in camera or post-production.
Nature
This category includes Wild animals in an uncontrolled lighting environment, zoo animals, botany, flowers, seascapes, cityscapes, urban landscapes, and sunsets with or without people.
Photojournalism
Includes sports or news images, and any other journalistic-style imagery. Images that illustrate realistic events, daily life, human interest, social issues, current events, and high-impact that evoke an emotional response.
IMPORTANT NOTE about PHOTOJOURNALISM: ONLY basic color and brightness adjustments, cropping, dodging, and burning are allowed. Only single-capture images will be accepted. Composite and multiple-exposure images will not be accepted. For multiple images telling a story, please submit to the album category. The original image capture (in RAW or JPG) must be available if requested by the committee.
Illustrative Open
This category is specifically for illustrative images that do not fit in another category. Including painted images or composites that do not belong in the master artist category, still-life, conceptual, and storytelling images.
SOCIAL/EVENTS/WEDDING
Wedding Candid
Images portraying a subject or subjects from a wedding including details.
Wedding Formals
Images that depict formal or posed portraits taken at a wedding including bridal, groom, couple, family, and wedding party.
Events
Images can portray a subject or subjects from all aspects of a social event other than a wedding including traditional portraits, candid, or details.
ALBUMS
A collection of digital images across multiple pages that tell a story.
Open Album
An album collection of images that may include a portrait story, storybook album, illustrative, or commercial album.
Event Album
Album of images from a wedding or other social event. Sports banquets, birthday or anniversary parties, corporate events.
MASTER ARTIST
All images entered into a Master Artist Category must include Guide Images.
In addition to the 12 Elements, entries to Master Artist are judged primarily based on the execution of technique and degree of difficulty.
Guide images for all elements used in the creation of the image should be added to the canvas. Guide images are strongly recommended for any significant hand-drawn or customized elements made by the maker as well as elements from other sources such as photographs or stock art.
Image Restoration
This category is for the restoration of damaged images. Creative liberties may or may not be taken. The original working image is required to be included as a guide image.
Digital Creation
A conceptual image altered or manipulated from its original condition. Creations can be a subtle application using post-processing techniques, 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.
Image Credit: Elena Ganusova, M.Artist, M.Photog.Cr, TSD, TCD, TAD
COMMERCIAL
This category includes images created for a commercial client to advertise a product and promote a brand or company.
Architectural
This category includes building exteriors or interiors, highlighted architectural features, and real-estate photography.
Product/Food
This category is for stylized food photography or product photography.
Commercial Open
This category is for any commercial image that does not fit in the other categories including editorial work, industrial work, and promotional work.