The Virginia News Photographers Association sponsors an annual still image and multi-media contest for active, paid members of the organization. All entrants must be VNPA members in good standing at the time of contest judging.

The contest entry fee of $25 and the yearly VNPA membership dues of $20.00 must be submitted to: P. Kevin Morley c/o Richmond Times-Dispatch Photo Dept. Richmond, VA 23219.

Your images, payments, and entry form must arrive by the Entry Deadline of February, 25, 2010.

NEW ADDITIONS TO 2010!

1. PLEASE save a .jpg version of your contact sheet (color, or B&W is appropriate) into your story folder!

2. The maximum number of single entries has been reduced from 20 to 15.

3. The number of multi-media entries has been reduced from six (6) to four (4).

BEFORE YOU ENTER THE CONTEST

To enter the contest, you must send an e-mail request to kmorley@timesdispatch.com or bmartin@freelancestar.com. Your entry number, and the FTP address and password, will be emailed to you. (The FTP address, password and entry number are for use only by VNPA members.)

When sending images to the FTP site, entrants MUST send a completed entry form and a text document that lists each image entered. This three-digit number will replace the need to enter your name and affiliation in the File Info fields. It will be a part of every file name and will also simplify the file naming system.

JUDGING:

There will be three judges. The judging will be open to VNPA members, their guests, students and members of the VPA and their guests. Open judging will take place at the University of Richmond, Weinstein Hall, Brown-Alley Room, on Saturday, March 20, 2010 starting at 9:00 a.m. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places will be awarded in each category. Honorable mentions will be awarded at the judges’ discretion.

The following points are awarded for the following places:

First: 8 points

Second 4 points

Third 2 points

H.M. 1 points

Portfolio: Points are doubled

Judging will adjourn meal breaks and will continue until all entries have been judged. Immediately following the single category judging, the portfolio and best-in-show judging will take place.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR IMAGES

Entries must be submitted via the VNPA FTP site or on a compact disc. If you prefer to enter a compact disc or a DVD disc, please mail the items to: P. Kevin Morley c/o Richmond Times-Dispatch Photo Dept. Richmond, VA 23219 The VNPA Contest Chairmen reserve the right to disqualify any entry that fails to comply with the entry rules.

GENERAL RULES

If you have any questions, please contact Contest Co-chairmen Kevin Morley or Robert Martin: kmorley@timesdispatch.com or 804-649-6486, cell: 804-363-5674.) bmartin@freelancestar.com 540-374-5000 x5688, cell: 540-846-4374

Please read the rules. Failure to read and follow the rules can result in entries being disquali-fied.

A completed entry form is required for entry into the contest. The completed entry form can arrive as an email attachment to Kevin/Bob or as a text file with your images to the FTP site or with a CD/DVD of your contest entries. Failure to supply a completed entry form will disqualify your entries in the contest.

All entries must be entered in the digital format and must have been photographed between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2009. The only exceptions are for images taken in 2008 and are a part of picture stories that were completed in the calendar year 2009. The photos need not have been published for eligibility. However, they must have been made while employed as a regular staffer or while working as a freelancer for a Virginia news organization. Images made while employed by a non-Virginia publication are not eligible.

Photo Mechanic software will be used to present the images during the contest. (Photo Mechanic also provides a simple way to enter all the name, category and caption information required for the contest. A trial version of PhotoMechanic is available at: www.camerabits.com/pages/demoreg.cgi.

Number of Entries Allowed Per Photographer

Each photographer will be limited to 15 entries dispersed among the 12 categories. A single picture story is considered one entry, and each story is limited to 12 images. A single photograph may not be entered on its own in more than one category. However, up to two (2) single photos from a picture story may be entered in the single categories.

Photos will remain in the categories in which the photographer has entered them. Contest chairmen and judges will not move entries from one category to another. A picture entered in the wrong category will not be reclassi- fied and the judges reserve the right to disqualify it. Electronic alteration of photos (beyond the usual removal of dust spots and scratches through cloning, and dodging and burning) is allowed ONLY in the illustration categories. Toned or digitally-colored entries are ONLY allowed in the illustration category. (unless the story or essay consists of a group of illustrations. Combined images (2 photos on one “slide” is considered as two images.)

Still Photography Rules: Preparing your Images

Digital Image Specifications

Color Profile: The VNPA will use the same color profiles as set up by the White House News Photographers Association image on its website.

• Save each image as an RGB file. Do not use CMYK. Do not use Grayscale.

• If you enter a black and white image, convert it to an RGB file.

• The final image resolution should be 250 DPI, with a maximum dimension of 10” on its longer side.

• Save each image as a JPEG file, with a Photoshop JPEG quality level of at least ‘6’ or ‘good’ (Other programs list this compression level at 75%.)

Picture Category Codes

Enter the three-letter category code using lower-case letters. This MUST be done for every picture. Use the following codes:

• Feature: fea
• General News: gnn
• Editorial/Food/Fashion Illustration: ill
• Lifestyle: lif
• Pictorial: pic
• Portrait/Personality: por
• Sports Action: spa
• Sports Feature: spf
• Spot News: spn
• News Picture Story: nps
• Feature Picture Story: fps
• Sports Picture Story: sps
• Sound Slide Show or Multimedia: sss

Single Image entry category descriptions:

FEA – Feature: A photograph of a ‘found situation’ that features strong human interest elements, or a fresh view of an everyday situation. This does not include images that appear “feature-like” from general news events.

GNN – General News: Recognizing that much of the daily news coverage is planned in advance, we seek to reward outstanding achievement based on creativity and timing at organized events such as general meetings, promotional events and staged coverage opportunities.

ILL – Editorial/Food/Fashion Photographic Illustration: An image made to illustrate an editorial issue or concept, including food and fashion.

LIF – Lifestyle: An image that conveys the manner in which the subject relates to the world. Includes home, family, economic, and working condition issues.

PIC – Pictorial: An image with strong visual elements and graphic appeal.

POR – Portrait / Personality: A single photograph that captures a unique aspect of a person’s character and personality.

SPA – Sports Action: An image that captures the action at a sporting event.

SPF – Sports Feature: The image should be separate from game action. This may include reaction and sports/news assignments.

SPN – Spot News: A single image from an unplanned news event.

Picture Story entry descriptions

1. There is a maximum of 12 images per story/essay.
2. Picture stories require a “contact sheet” image as performed in PhotoShop. (See example info below.)
3. PLEASE save a .jpg version of your contact sheet (color, or B&W is appropriate) into your story folder! (It should be one image.)

SPS – Sports Picture Story: Any sports oriented subject portrayed in a multiple-picture photographic story structure. All of the pictures should be related to convey a singular story line, point of view or reporting.

FPS – Feature Picture Story: A feature-related picture story. All of the pictures should be related to convey a singular story line, point of view or reporting theme.

NPS – News Picture Story: A news-related picture story. All of the pictures should be related to convey a singular story line, point of view or reporting theme.

Contact Sheet images must be arranged left-right, then top-bottom. Your maximum of twelve images will appear on a single sheet - vertical/portrait position – that is sized to fit an 8 1/2” x 11” piece of paper. Be careful of how you number your images, as the contact sheet will show the judges the arrangement of your images. This is the entrant’s responsibility!

Title your contact sheet by category and a single-word name. (Ex: NPS – BIGNEWS.) Contest chairpersons will make prints of your “contact sheet” to share with the judges. Contest chairpersons and judges will not rearrange the images in an entrant’s contact sheet after it has been submitted. To create a contact sheet in Photoshop, go to File > Automate > Contact Sheet II. You will see thewindow at right. DO NOT check the “use filename as caption” box at the bottom of the page.

Please check the arrangement (left to right, top-bottom) of your photos!

Portfolio Rules

All Portfolios will be judged on their impact as a unit, demonstrating diversity in your work, journalistic value and photographic excellence. (Portfolios will not be broken down into individual categories for single picture judging. To enter a photo or picture story from your portfolio entry into a single picture or picture story category, you must provide a separate entry on a separate CD/DVD.) Please enter your portfolio on a single disc! Portfolio entries may contain no more than 40 images in total amongst picture stories and single images The portfolio entry must include at least two picture stories.

You must include at least one single entry in the following “single entry” categories: General or Spot News, Feature, Portrait/Personality, Sports Action or  Sports Feature.

Caption Information

Since caption information may be openly viewed during judging, you cannot include your name or your publication’s name in the caption viewing area. Do not include your name, publication name anywhere in the File Info area of your image(s). Use your three (3) digit code instead. Failure to comply with this rule can result in an image being removed from the judging. All caption and other pertinent information will be inputted into the ”File info” area of Adobe Photoshop. (Or, if using other captioning software, it must be compatible with Photoshop’s “File info”). All other information will be entered in “File info.” (NOTE: Please leave blank spaces in any File info sections or fields not described below). (Since Photo Mechanic will be used to present the images during the contest, you can use the program to enter all the category and caption information required for the contest. Use the “object name” and “caption” fields ONLY.)

CAPTION: The caption must be entered in the “Description” field in File Info. (Captions in Pre-7.0 versions of PhotoShop are written in the “Caption” field). Captions are REQUIRED for every picture, including each picture of a picture story. (For stories, do not “cut and paste” the same caption on each image! The judges may use your caption information to determine the quality of your entry.)

Be brief and concise. We suggest a limit of 30 – 35 words. Judges may consider caption information as part of their decision in choosing a photo for an award. If necessary, have a copy editor check your caption for readability. (Note: If you are using images from your personal or newspaper archive, please make corrections to your File Info area prior to submitting your entries. In other words, update the caption information.)

Note for PICTURE STORIES:

For the FIRST picture in a picture story, enter a brief introductory caption that summarizes the entire picture story. This summary caption should precede the caption for the first individual picture; the remaining pictures in the picture story should only include the caption for each image. This caption field may contain more than 30 words if needed. Please be succinct.

DOCUMENT TITLE: This is the name of the image as a saved jpg. Example: fea_009_2jenny.jpg

DESCRIPTION: This is where the caption is entered. Write a name for your image: Ex: JENNY RUNS (all caps, then your caption in 30 words or less. (Caption-less photos will be disqualified by the judges.)

In ORIGIN field: Date Created: Enter the date on which the photo was made.

Example of how to name a single entry:

Times-Dispatch photographer Forrest O. Gump (entrant number 009) enters his second entry in the feature category. He titles it “JENNY RUNS” (all caps).

The image should be saved as: fea (the category name) ”_” (an underscore) 009 Forrest’s 3-digit entry number “_” Another underscore 2jenny Then “slug” or ‘name’ the entry. (If more than one entry in a particular category, precede the image’s title name with a number.

Ex: fea_009_2jenny.jpg.

For example: If Gump entered a fourth feature titled “rain,” it would be saved as: fea_009_4rain.jpg)

Naming Images in a Picture Story:

This is how Forrest Gump would name the first photo in his second feature picture story titled “jennyrun.”: fps_009_01_2jennyrun.jpg Forrest’s second photo in the same picture story: fps_009_02_2jennyrun.jpg The entire story should then be saved in a folder named like this: fps_jennyrun

Multimedia Entries: (Do not include Multi Media entries in your Portfolio entry!)

This entry highlights the use of audio and still photography in the presentation of web-based stories in the simple audio slideshow. Judges will pay special attention to the use of available technology to compliment and enhance the art of visual storytelling. These entries can be IN ADDITION to your still entries. Entries will be limited to no more than four (4) per entrant. These entries can be in addition to your still images. Please submit your entries on a single CD or DVD disc as this will help the judges in contest organization.

There are two categories to enter:

1. Audio slide shows – still images and audio.

2. Video productions.

. . . and the categories are:

• News (General, spot, campaign or sports action.) and
• Feature (People, concepts, sport features,)

All entries will be organized and burned to CD or DVDs. Only one entrant per disc! Multimedia judging will occur offsite of the contest and the results available during the judging of the still image categories and the Portfolio category. A first, second and third place winner will be announced. Judges have the choice to include HonorableMentions. The standard method of computing winning points will be extended to this entry category. (We will instruct the judges to ignore who is entering and focus on the content of the multimedia entry.) Stories on the internet must have an active link for the judges and membership to view!

Label your entries as:

1. Audio slide shows:SSS
2. Video productions:VPS

With a category and short title. For example, Forrest’s Feature story slide show entry about Jenny is: SSS_009_2jenny (To compress your folders: Mac: hold down control while you click on your folder to compress, and choose “create archive of…” PC: Right click on your folder, choose “SEND TO” and “Compressed Zipped Folder.”

Entry Preparation Tips and Checklist

Did you create a folder for each single-image category, and each Picture Story?

Are your single entries on a single disc? Do not combine entrants on a single disc.

Is your Portfolio on a separate disc?

Label your CD or DVD disc with your name, affiliation and contest code number.

Have you used your 3-digit Contest ID code as part of each image’s file name?

Have you checked your folders and filenames to make sure your entries are all sorted and tagged correctly?

DO NOT send uncompressed/ unarchived/unzipped folders by FTP. If you cannot successfully compress your folder for transmission to the contest’s FTP site, then submit your entry in a CD-ROM format to Kevin Morley.

Did you enter a story category?

Did you save a .jpg version of your contact sheet (color, or B&W if appropriate) into your story folder?

Have someone check your entries for any errors in the rules.

Have someone check your file info for errors. Make sure your captions are in the proper tense, succinct and cogent. (Tip: Read your caption aloud to yourself or someone else to determine if it is an appropriate length and understandable.)

Do not submit newspaper-archived images or images for other contests unless you adjust the images and the file info fields to meet the contest requirements for the VNPA.

Please submit your completed registration form with your entries. (Available on the following page.)

Please include a typewritten (not handwritten) list of the names (alphabetically) of your SINGLE entries.

JPEG (.jpg) images only will be accepted. PSD, TIFF, PDF or any other image type will NOT be accepted.

All entries must meet the requirements of the contest. Any errors in image preparation (including file info) may result in the image(s) being disqualified by the contest chairmen.

Finally, have someone thoroughly check your entries for any errors in the rules. Images with errors may be deleted from the contest. The contest organizers have spent an enormous amount of time each year correcting entrants mistakes.

If you have any questions, please contact Contest Co-chairmen Kevin Morley or Robert Martin: kmorley@timesdispatch.com or 804-649-6486, cell: 804-363-5674.) bmartin@freelancestar.com 540-374-5000 x5688, cell: 540-846-4374

Good luck!