Photography Rules

Students must adhere to the general rules
as well as the following Photography Rules.

Description

A photography entry must be an original black-and-white or color image, or a group of images, produced by a photographic process. The entry must relate to the theme.

 

The entry may incorporate such techniques as montage, multiple exposure, negative sandwiches, and photograms. Images may be manipulated conventionally or digitally. Images should demonstrate the student’s proper use of photographic techniques such as depth of field and exposure. The images may be created using various lenses, filters, and light sources. Photographs with added graphics over the image, including lettering, are not acceptable.

 

Whether an entry uses a variety of techniques or a simple approach, it will be judged primarily on how well the student uses his or her artistic vision to portray the theme. A well-developed concept is more important than technique.

 

Originality

Each entry must be the original work of one student only. An adult may not alter the creative integrity of a student’s work. Because the program is designed to encourage and recognize each student’s individual creativity, help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. This includes the use of copyrighted cartoon characters or other such material.

 

Plagiarism is defined as taking and using another person’s ideas or writings or inventions as one’s own. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified and returned to the students.

 

Entry Form

All participants are required to fill out in its entirety and sign the Official Entry Form. Students who have not completely filled out the form will not be eligible to participate in the program. In situations where the child cannot fill out the entry form or write legibly, a parent may sign his or her child’s name.

 

Students have the option of placing the titles of their works on the Official Entry Form and must answer a few questions about how they created their works (see Required Information in the righthand column).

 

Return of Artwork

Please contact your state PTA for the artwork return policy. If your entry receives a national-level award, your original artwork will be used to prepare the Reflections Program online gallery. Following the completion of the website, National PTA will make every effort to return your artwork by early 2008.

 

Judging

All national entries are judged on artistic merit, creativity, and interpretation of the theme.

 

Presentation

·   A single print or collage may not exceed 11 inches by
14 inches, including a mat.

·   Print the entries on paper or other two-dimensional material.

·   Mount all prints on a cardboard mat, poster board, or some other sturdy material.

·   Protecting the work with shrink-wrap or a transparent plastic cover is optional but highly recommended.

·   Framed entries, original film (negatives or transparencies), and multidimensional pieces are not accepted.

·   Place the Official Entry Form in a sheet protector and tape it (with masking tape) to the back of the photograph on top of the shrink-wrap.

 

Required Information

On the Official Entry Form, give the dimensions of the piece and describe the process used in preparing the piece.

 

Optional Artist Statement

On the Official Entry Form, describe what inspired you to create this work.