Club Competitions
Monthly competitions are a core part of the PPC. Members can submit images, receive feedback from judges, and track their growth throughout the club year.
Competitions at a Glance
10 contests per year
Held May through March, with no contest in December.
Open + themed
Half the contests are open; half follow specific themes.
Print & digital
Most contests are digital; two each year are print format.
All skill levels
Four competition levels allow fair comparison among members.
Purpose of Competitions
Competitions are designed to help members improve their photography skills through constructive feedback, exposure to a variety of styles, and friendly comparison with other photographers.
In addition, competitions provide an educational component. They are judged by independent judges who also provide a verbal critique of each image.
The images and critiques are then included in a slideshow that is part of every monthly meeting.
How the Competition Year Works
The PPC competition year runs from May through April. Monthly contests are held from May through March, with April reserved for special contests.
Each monthly competition includes separate judging for digital and print entries when applicable.
Five contests are open to any subject. The other five follow specific themes designed to challenge creativity and technique.
Special contests are separate from the annual standings and provide additional opportunities for participation.
Why Participate?
Participation is optional, but strongly encouraged. Competitions provide valuable feedback, help refine technical and artistic skills, and allow members to track improvement over time.
Competition Levels
Entry
For newer photographers or those just starting competitions.
Intermediate
For members building consistency and technical skill.
Advanced
For experienced photographers with strong results.
Master
For highly accomplished members with consistent high-quality work.
New Members
New members may elect to participate in the Entry or Intermediate levels, whichever best matches their experience. Selecting an appropriate level helps ensure meaningful feedback and fair comparison.
Advancement to the other two levels (Advanced and Master) depends on how well one does in the prior year.
Competition Resources
Rules & Process
Detailed competition requirements and judging criteria.
Competition Themes
Upcoming topics and deadlines.
How To Enter
Step-by-step submission instructions.
What Judges Look For
Guidance to improve your scores.