Album Competition

1. AWARDS

By entering The SWPP Album Competition you are eligible to win an Overall Award and in the case of all entries scoring over 80, a Merit Award.
The Overall Awards are the highest of honours and brings with them a substantial prize. There will be one Overall winner in each of the two categories. All entries that score over 80 points will receive a merit award ribbon

2. FORMAT

Width:	1920 pixels maximum
Height:	1080 pixels maximum
(Note: This is in order to accommodate high-definition display.)
Resolution:	72 dpi
Mode:	RGB colour mode (even Black & White images)
Format:	JPEG File Format

Each album must be submitted on a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM as JPEG files. The maximum number of image files per album is 50. There is no minimum number of images, but each entry should tell a complete story. JPEG files should be saved at the following dimensions:
Image files may be of individual album pages, double-page spreads, or details of individual pages. All image files must be numbered sequentially, indicating the order in which they should appear (eg. 001.jpg, 002.jpg, 003.jpg). All files must be saved on the CD or DVD inside a folder bearing the entrant’s name and album entry number (if more than one album is submitted).

3. PREPARING IMAGE FILES

Image files may be prepared in either of two ways: The album may be photographed with a digital camera and the files saved to the specifications listed above; or files may be generated directly from the album page-layout files. For example, if you use Photoshop to design and lay out your album, you could simply save the Photoshop page files as JPEG files to the above size and resolution specifications.

4. PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR ALBUM

If you are photographing your album using a digital camera, consider these tips:
1) Use a seamless or other photographic background (such as a canvas or hand-painted muslin) to provide a neutral and consistent background for your album.
2) Use a tripod and align the camera back so you have an even horizontal base for your images.
3) If you are not used to shooting copy art, shoot a few tests to fine-tune your exposures and your lighting technique. It is essential that you reveal as much information (shadows, midtones and highlights) in your album images as possible and that the exposures be consistent throughout. Furthermore, it is important that exposure be consistent across the frame, from corner to corner, which means your lighting must be even from corner to corner with no more than a fractional f-stop deviation. Using a handheld incident meter is advised.
4) You may shoot left- and right-hand pages together. You may, however, want to make a full-frame vertical image of special photos or details throughout the album. These add visual interest to your entry.
5) Although you may shoot the album cover as an introductory slide, do not include the photographer’s name or Studio logo in the image.
6) Any identifying marks, such as gold foil signatures or studio stamps, will disqualify the album.

5. ALBUM JUDGING

Album entries will be loaded into a slideshow software program and shown on an LCD projector to the judges. No music or additional graphics may accompany the album presentation.
A panel of qualified professionals will judge each album separately, and all decisions are final. Judges look for the following qualities in the albums:

Storytelling qualities
Impact
Style
Technique
Lighting
Posing
Expressions
Print quality
Composition
Saleability
Design creativity

6. IMPORTANT NOTICES

Album photographs must be from an actual event or sitting.
Entries are to be completed by an individual photographer or, in the case of the Wedding Category—Multiple Photographers, several photographers submitted under the studio name.
Applicants agree that any entry, or part thereof, may be used by the SWPP & “Professional Imagemaker” magazine in any part of their publications, printed materials or electronic media, such as, but not limited to, their websites.
The SWPP has the right to disqualify any entry if it does not meet our basic requirements.
The SWPP is not liable for any damage to the CD/DVD entries incurred during shipping or handling.
Rules may be changed or modified without notice.

7. ALBUM CATEGORY DIVISIONS

Each album may only be submitted in one category. Please mark your selection of category carefully; it will be judged in the category in which it was submitted.
Wedding (single photographer, multiple photographers or studio submission)
Event or Non-Event, Informal (Specific Events, Family albums, friends—not tied to a specific event but a collection of storytelling images)

SCORE	KEY	DEFINITION
70-75	Below Average	Requires improvement in technique
76-79	Average	Average professional skill and technique
Scores of 80 or above will receive A Merit Award).
80-84	Above Average	Good standard of professional skill, creativity and technique
85-89	Excellent	Very good use of imagination, skill and technique
90-94	Outstanding	Exhibiting exceptional skills in all areas
95-99	Outstanding	Approaching the highest standard in excellence in imagination, creativity and technique
100	Exemplary	Best possible use of all skills and creativity; new, fresh, unique

8. SWPP SCORING SYSTEM FOR ALBUM COMPETITION

New for 2009: DVD SLIDESHOWS

DVD SLIDESHOW SUBMISSION

DVDs highlighting the work of a photographer or studio may be submitted for competition for 2009. Registration procedures will be the same as for the other album categories. However, DVDs must be mailed to SWPP's offices in Rhyl. They cannot be uploaded.

RESTRICTIONS

This category is not for self-promotional DVDs. Any identifying information such as studio logos, signatures, names or images of the photographers will disqualify the DVD. Typical DVDs would include wedding, portrait, event or informal albums.

FORMAT

DVDs must be submitted as DVD-Video discs, and must be playable on a PC and Mac Computer in Region 1 DVD European format.

LENGTH

The maximum length is six minutes running time.

DVD FEATURES:

There is no restriction as to the type of effects that may be included on the Slideshow DVDs. For example, music, animation, graphic effects are all permissible, as well as any other effects not mentioned here.

Submission fee £15 members - non members - £30

Payment form: 'click here'

The SWPP 2008 Convention was an outstanding success,
we have 8 days to get ready for the 2009 convention - which starts on January 14, 2009

Photo Quote: The negative is comparable to the composer's score and the print to its performance. Each performance differs in subtle ways. - Ansel Adams