MOPPA Image Competition – Rules & Entry Guidelines

Entry Platform & Fees

• All entries must be submitted through printcompetition.com.

• A basic subscription to printcompetition.com is required to enter.

• Each entrant may submit up to 10 digital images.

• Entry fees are due at the time of upload. All fees are non-refundable.

Who May Enter

• The competition is open to all photographers.

• Only MOPPA members are eligible to earn merits and trophies.

• Non-members are eligible to win a one-year MOPPA membership if they receive the highest score among non-members.

Image Creation & Authorship Requirements

• Entrants must have personally captured and created the original exposure(s) using photographic processes.

• All processing, manipulation, and rendering must be completed by the entrant or under their direct supervision.

• All visual elements must be created by the entrant unless explicitly allowed within a specific category.

• Stock imagery and AI-generated content are prohibited unless specifically allowed within a category. When permitted, guide images are required.

• Entrant identifiers (name, logo, watermark) may not appear anywhere in or on the image.

• Images created during workshops, under instructor supervision, or that are not fully self-directed are ineligible.

• Multiple entries of the same subject are permitted only if each image represents a clearly different concept.

• Images previously awarded MOPPA merits may not be re-entered in a future competition.

• Images previously entered into a PPA competition are eligible.

Releases & Legal Responsibility

• Entrants must obtain and retain access to all required releases (model, property, contractual, etc.) when applicable.

• By submitting an entry, entrants agree to hold MOPPA harmless from any claims or liabilities arising from the use of submitted images.

Third-Party Content & Software

• Third-party imagery, AI elements, and/or stock images are only allowed in designated categories and must be disclosed using guide images.

• Third-party actions or presets that enhance image characteristics—without adding visual elements—are permitted unless otherwise restricted by category rules.

File Specifications & Naming

• Longest image dimension: 4000 pixels.

• Embedded color profile: sRGB or Adobe RGB (1998).

• File format: JPEG, quality setting 10.

• File names: Only the title of the entry; no underscores or special characters.

  • Example: Title of Entry

Artificial Intelligence Guidelines

Photographic Open Competition

AI Editing Allowed:

• Removal of objects (blemishes, stray hairs, light stands, birds, etc.)

• Editing and enhancement tools (sharpening, healing tools, red-eye correction, dodge & burn, etc.)

• Matching/correcting color, lighting, contrast

• Image upscaling

AI Editing Not Allowed:

• Adding elements with or without a text prompt

• Generative Fill that adds new content (new elements, expanded backgrounds, clothing changes, etc.)

• Replacing backgrounds with new images

• Content-aware scaling that adds new visual information

Note: Content-aware tools used strictly for fill/cleanup (not adding info) are permitted.

Artistic Open Competition

• All forms of AI editing are permitted.

• Any AI-created or altered elements must be disclosed.

• Guide images must be included to show AI-created elements (e.g., skies, landscapes, objects).

Awards, Recognition & Distribution

• Only MOPPA members are eligible to receive awards (except the Non-Member Award).

• Trophies, ribbons, and/or certificates will not be mailed by MOPPA due to shipping costs; winners may cover mailing costs if desired.

• Awards not claimed within three months will be respectfully discarded.

• Awards are formally presented during MOPPA’s Annual Conference Award Banquet.

• All winning images will be released in PrintCompetition within 3 weeks after the Award Banquet.

Disqualification & Final Authority

• Failure to comply with these rules may result in disqualification.

• Any entry that violates copyright, trademark, or other applicable laws will be disqualified.

• All decisions by the MOPPA Image Competition Committee are final.

Category Rules

Judges’ Authority

The MOPPA Image Competition Committee and judges reserve the right to recategorize any entry if it appears in the wrong category.

1. People Portrait Category

Subcategories: General Portrait, Children (birth–15), High School Seniors (16–19)

Rules:

• Images may depict individuals of any age or groups of people.

• All processing, manipulation, or enhancements must be completed by the entrant.

• Entrant identifiers may not appear on the face of the image.

• Images created under direct supervision are ineligible.

• Duplicate subject entries must represent entirely different concepts.

• Images must adhere to ethical standards, including model releases when applicable.

2. Animal Portrait Category

Subcategories: Animal (controlled settings), Wildlife (natural environments)

Rules:

• Capture animals in controlled or natural environments (pets, domestic, wildlife).

• All processing and manipulation must be completed by the entrant.

• Entrant identifiers may not appear on the face of the image.

• Images created under supervision are ineligible.

• Duplicate subject entries must represent entirely different concepts.

3. Reportage Category

Subcategories: Reportage / Photojournalism, Sports

Rules:

• Capture life, events, or meaningful moments. Timing, storytelling, and emotion are key.

• All processing and manipulation must be completed by the entrant.

• Entrant identifiers may not appear on the face of the image.

• Images created under supervision are ineligible.

• Duplicate subject entries must represent entirely different concepts.

4. Wedding Category

Subcategories: Day of Wedding

Rules:

• Images must portray all aspects of a wedding, including portraits, candids, and details. Wedding-themed images outside the event timeframe belong in People Portrait or Illustrative categories.

• Entrants must capture original exposures themselves.

• All processing, manipulation, or rendering must be completed by the entrant.

• Entrant identifiers may not appear on the face of the image.

• Images created under supervision are ineligible.

• Images derived from another person’s work are prohibited unless written consent is obtained.

• Duplicate subject entries must represent entirely different concepts.

5. Illustrative Category

Subcategories: Illustrative / Commercial, Landscape / Nature, Illustrative / General

Rules:

• Open to creative, commercial, or landscape photography.

• Images may be staged or conceptual; all processing must be completed by the entrant.

• Entrant identifiers may not appear on the face of the image.

• Images created under supervision are ineligible.

• Duplicate subject entries must represent entirely different concepts.

6. Artist Category

Subcategories: Artist Open, Restoration

Rules:

• Entries may be created in various artistic mediums; photographs are allowed but not required. Freehand drawing, painting, or digital art is allowed. Stock images may only be used with written consent.

• All processing, manipulation, artwork, or rendering must be completed by the entrant.

• Entrant identifiers may not appear on the face of the image.

• Images created under supervision are ineligible.

• Duplicate subject entries must represent entirely different concepts.

• For restorations, include guide images showing the restoration process.

7. SOOC / RAW Category

Rules:

• Images must be captured in-camera without post-processing; only RAW files may be submitted.

• Images must be captured by the entrant alone.

• No supervised or class-assignment images allowed.

• Entrant identifiers may not appear on the face of the image.

• Entries violating copyright, trademark, or law will be disqualified.

• RAW entries created using cell phones or drones are not allowed.

• Only native camera RAW file formats are accepted; second-generation files (jpg, psd, etc.) are ineligible.

• In-camera presets may be applied. No additional presentation files allowed.

• Duplicate subject entries must represent entirely different concepts.

General Notes for All Categories

• Judges may recategorize entries to ensure fair evaluation.

• Merit and trophy eligibility is based on scoring 80+ points.

• Awards not claimed within three months will be respectfully discarded.

• Entrants must read and comply with all competition rules.

Please be sure to read the rules for all categories and submissions carefully before submitting.
See the Awards Section for details on merit, trophies, and recognition opportunities.