Album Competition
Closing date December 1st.
Each CD must have an application form attached to the back.
Categories:
Wedding – Multiple Photographers/Studio: This includes all aspects of wedding photography and must be from commissioned weddings only. Multiple photographers must be from the same studio and all photographers involved should be named on the submission.
Wedding – Single Photographer: This includes all aspects of wedding photography and must be from commissioned weddings only.
NB. Entrants must include the chosen category on their application form.
Fees:
An application form and the appropriate entry fee must accompany each CD submission.
The fees for members are: each album £15.
For non-members: each album £30.
Payment for returning entries must be included with your submissions.
Return Postage & Handling Overseas and UK
If you require your entries to be returned to you please inform us BEFORE the competition date, entries not returned within one month will be destroyed. Please weigh your entries at your local Post Office and include a cheque/credit card details to cover the cost of returning them to you. Your entries will be returned to you in their original packing.
CD 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).
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.
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.
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
Entry Rules 2010
Album photographs must be from an actual wedding.
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.
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.
SWPP Scoring System
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
DVD Slideshows
DVD Slideshow submission
DVDs highlighting the work of a photographer or studio may be submitted for competition for 2010. 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.
Venue, Dates, Times & Categories
Hammersmith Novotel Exhibition and Convention Centre
Wednesday 13-01-10 10.00am – 12.00pm, 1.00pm – 6.30pm
Thursday 14-01-10 10.00am – 12.00pm, 1.00pm – 6.30pm
Sunday 17-01-10: Awards Dinner
NB Times are subject to change, depending on the number of entries and the speed of the judging process.
