A few weeks ago, PPW asked members to submit images to test our new print competition scoring system. The old system stopped working and we needed to either purchase new equipment or do something different. We've worked hard to find the best system possible with the most resources for our members. That system turned out to be available through www.printcompetition.com.
The folks at print competition.com have put together an great internet based system that scores prints, keep records and share the competition experience. But the best part is our members have access to hundreds, if not thousands, of competitions and critiques!
As a PPW member, the basic service is free. PPW members will be able to register with PPW for our print competitions, pay your case fee, print back labels for physical prints, print an entry form, receive an emailed score notice, have a permanent history of final score and limited access to past print judging’s. For PPW competitions you will only need to join at the FREE level in order to enter your images for competition.
For submitting a print to printcompetition.com normally costs $10/per print. This cost is waved for PPW because Premium Memberships to their web service covers it. But you are not required to be a Premium Member to participate in our print competitions. By you joining their Premium Membership for a very reasonable price you are in return supporting PPW. They have two membership categories: the Premium Membership and a Per Event fee for non members. The Premium Membership is a modest $40 per year or $10 per quarter. This gives you access to their complete archive of over 16,000 images and 2500 audio clips of judges’ comments. Please visit the website for a complete explanation of their fees.
On September 13th, we had our first test (Mock Competition) through in Renton with great results! However, since this was our very first test, we could not share anything other than scores with you all. On October 20th, we had a second test, also with great results, at which we made audio recordings of the judges’ comments. There is still a learning curve, but we now have a video of all the submitted images with comments on the PPW website.
To view the video go to www.ppw.org, log in with your user name and password, go to the Member Area (three horizontal lines to the right of Contact on the navigation bar) then down to the Member Forum. Look for the subject Print Critique Videos - Oct 20, 2015. There are two videos (1 for Mac and 1 for PC) in the topic for Print Critique Videos. The videos are only available in the Member Forum area of PPW’s website.
In an effort to improve service to our membership, the PPW board has instituted a new program. We are always looking for ways to support your efforts at providing the highest standards of image creation. Since competition supports those high standards, the board agreed to a pilot program for 2016. While the exact details are still in the works, we will have 3 print Training Competitions with critiques throughout our state. These Training Competitions will give everyone an opportunity to create and improve their competition images from event to event before the big Print Competition at the PPW convention or International Print Competition at PPA.
If you have further questions about print competition.com or our past or future Training Competition, contact John Perea.
