I entered IPC again this year. IPC is the International print competition of PPA (Professional Photographers of America) and some parallel it to the Olympics, like individual sports like track, swimming etc., where the main goal is to do your best and learn and compete mainly against yourself even though there are awards and medals. This IPC year -- Four of my images earned merits in photographic open and three of my four images earned merits in Artistry.

I will also earn my second Masters this year. Each degree takes 25 merits. I earned four exhibition merits and I only needed one more merit to earn my Master of Photography (M.Photog.) which is awarded for superior photographic skills demonstrated through the Photographic Open category of PPA’s International Photographic Competition, advanced education, and service to the industry.

I already have my PPA Photographic Craftsman (Cr.Photog.) which is one of the highest recognitions for speaking, writing and/or mentoring in photography.  This degree shows that you have gone beyond the creation of images and dedicated your time to move the industry forward and encourage education. It positions the photographer as an authority in the industry.

I need three more merits (so hopefully next year!) in order to earn my Master Artist (M.Artist). A degree awarded to photographers for superior photographic skills demonstrated through the Artist Exhibition category of PPA’s International Photographic Competition (with images evaluated for computer-applied techniques and proficiency), advanced education and service to the industry.

 

My four Artistry images are below, with their guide images. In Artistry, you have to show all of the elements, in guide images on the mat.

"The purpose of this {Artistry} competition is to allow the entrant to demonstrate their art skills and expertise in pursuit of the PPA Master Artist degree (previously known as Master of Electronic Imaging degree). Entries will be judged for digital, artistic and technical proficiency. Entries can be created using digital or traditional art (such as painting and airbrush) or a combination of both. Through this competition, PPA members are also eligible to achieve PPA  Artist Exhibition Merits toward the PPA Master Artist degree."

This image below scored a 78, above average, but did not merit. I thought that it would get a chuckle out of the judges and therefore would have impact, but alas, it did not merit. It was the first time in my life I walked around LOOKING for BIRD POOP to photograph. I am looking forward to hearing what the judges thought (later on when they send their video critiques). Last year, I was double bronze, meaning 4/4 images merited in open 4/4 merited in Artistry. This year bronze in open and 3/4 in Artistry. 

The 12 Elements Of A Merit Image
"So just what does it take to have an image chosen for the International Photographic Exhibit at Imaging USA? When defining a “merit image”, PPA’s International Photographic Competitions Committee (IPCC) applies 12 distinct criteria. PPA-approved judges are trained to be aware of these 12 elements when judging images to the PPA merit level. These 12 elements bring together both the historical and modern practice of our profession."
https://www.ppa.com/events/photo-competitions/ipc-international-photographic-competition-overview/the-12-elements-of-a-merit-image

Kudos to Tom PPA IPC

Kudos to Tom!

Tom entered PPA's (Professional Photographers of America) IPC (International Print Competition) for the first time. IPC has been equated to the Olympics of photography competitions.

Two of his four images in Photographic Open earned two above average with scores of 78 and two of his images (see images below) merited (which means 80 or above). Pretty good for his first time entering! you can click here to see see the explanation of merits. merits count towards one's Masters (there are a few types of Master, see here if interested in "what are the PPA Degrees?)

One learns a lot by entering IPC. In reality, you are entering to learn, to do your best, to compete against yourself and get better next time. While there is a lot of emphasis on earning a merit and other awards, but like many individual sports, you are really competing against yourself (aka "your best time"). Just getting one's act together to enter images is an accomplishment. Not many

The 12 Elements Of A Merit Image
"So just what does it take to have an image chosen for the International Photographic Exhibit at Imaging USA? When defining a “merit image”, PPA’s International Photographic Competitions Committee (IPCC) applies 12 distinct criteria. PPA-approved judges are trained to be aware of these 12 elements when judging images to the PPA merit level. These 12 elements bring together both the historical and modern practice of our profession."
https://www.ppa.com/events/photo-competitions/ipc-international-photographic-competition-overview/the-12-elements-of-a-merit-image

Kudos to Tom

Kudos to Tom!

Tom has been volunteering to photograph events like Teen Night Out, Quinceañeras, Foster Family Night Out, LifeTime For a Weekend, etc. etc. for many many years. He loves being able to give back -- and is happy that he can share his gift of photography.

This week he was recognized and given a plaque of appreciation! he was totally surprised and did not even realize that they were calling his name up to the stage. I had to run up and grab his photo, I missed the one while he was on the stage because he was moving too fast, but grabbed these as he came off the stage.

The event was, as they always are, full of emotion and amazement! I loved the attention to details and the symbolism, for example, for this event they served the food 'family style'. Scroll down to see the messages at the candy table too.

Olympus is running their Trade In, Trade Up promotion.

Olympus is running their Trade In, Trade Up promotion.
Trade in any working changeable lens camera or lens and receive a bonus added to your Trade In. Nothing to trade? Call me, I can help, 781-462-2383

OM-D E-M1X body $2,999.99 less $500 Trade Bonus $2,499.99
OM-D E-M1 II body $1,499.99 less $300 Trade Bonus $1,199.99
7-14mm f/2.8 PRO $1,199.99 less $200 Trade Bonus $999.99
8mm f/1.8 Fisheye PRO $899.99 less $200 Trade Bonus $699.99
12-40mm f/2.8 PRO $899.99 less $200 Trade Bonus $699.99
12-100mm f/4 PRO $1,199.99 less $200 Trade Bonus $999.99
17mm f/1.2 PRO $1,199.99 less $200 Trade Bonus $999.99
25mm f/1.2 PRO $1,199.99 less $200 Trade Bonus $999.99
40-150mm f/2.8 PRO $1,499.99 less $200 Trade Bonus $1,299.99
45mm f/1.2 PRO $1,199.99 less $200 Trade Bonus $999.99
300mm f/4 PRO $2,499.99 less $200 Trade Bonus $2,299.99

In order to take advantage of these specials please call me, Alan Samiljan, at 781-462-2383 to place your order and reference this email. As always, UPS Ground shipping for orders over $50 is FREE in the Lower 48. My regular hours are 8:30-5:00pm eastern, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday.
Photographically yours,
Alan

Alan Samiljan
100 Main St.
Melrose, MA 02176
(781) 462-2383 
asamiljan@huntsphoto.com
My hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 8:30-5:00pm eastern
asamiljan@huntsphoto.com

Out of Chicago Spring Photography Conference

EXCITING NEWS! This year Tom and I will be teaching alongside several of awesome photographers at the Out of Chicago Spring Photography Conference. It’s taking place in Grayslake, Illinois from April 27-28, 2019 and I would love for you to join me.

Use the discount code SPRING when you register to get $50 off. Spaces are filling fast.

For more information, visit www.outofchicago.com/spring

Check out the OUT OF CHICAGO Spring Photography Conference April 27 – 28, 2019 

www.outofchicago.com/spring

Over two dozen photographers will share their knowledge in landscape, travel, portraiture, flower, architecture photography and more. From inspiring presentations to hands-on interactive sessions, get out and play with your creative passion.

Out of Chicago’s Spring Photography Conference is a two-day, hands-on photography conference, where you can immerse yourself and explore all genres of photography over one weekend. Plus, connect with a community of people that are as passionate about photography as you.

Highlights include:
• 30+ daily classes and interactive sessions ranging from landscape, travel, portraiture, flower, architecture photography and more.
• 24+ photographers with different techniques and perspectives for you to learn all under one roof.
• Shootout stations will be set up for you to practice all the things you learn over the weekend.
• Vendor exhibition with new products and more.

TOPS in CT Best Cityscape and Best Portrait

The Tops in Connecticut show and CAP dinner are scheduled for April 6, 2019. Deadline for receipt of reservations is March 28, 2019. The show will contain 101 images selected at the judging last December along with commentary written by some of Connecticut's most experienced photographers. Come and see the excellent and varied work by many talented Connecticut Photographers.

• Date: Saturday, April 6, 2019
• Time: Show begins at 5 p.m. followed by a short business meeting and presentation of the awards followed by a buffet dinner
• Location: Whitney Center, 200 Leeder Road, Hamden, CT
• Cost: $25 per person

Click for a flyer and dinner reservation form. 

TOPS in Connecticut is a bi-annual competition run by the Connecticut Association of Photographers. They had 740 images entered into the competition (by 125 Connecticut photographers) and they accepted 101 images for the show. 

Tom and I got three images into the show and we earned Best Cityscape and Best Portrait.

Lisa's image "Spark Face" was accepted into the Portrait Exhibit at The Darkroom Gallery ( Essex Jct., VT)

Lisa's image "Spark Face" was accepted into the Portrait Exhibit 

at The Darkroom Gallery ( Essex Jct., VT)

Selections for The Portrait by juror Amy Holmes George are now posted on our website. See them here: http://www.darkroomgallery.com/ex107

The Portrait

EXHIBIT OPENS ON April 4th, 2019

Artists' Reception scheduled for April 13th, 2019

Juror: Amy Holmes George

Gallery Info The Darkroom Gallery

12 Main St. Essex Jct., VT 05452-3132

Hours: Monday-Saturday 11:00-4:00 and by appt.  802-777-FOTO(3686)

The Darkroom Gallery is dedicated to recognizing photographers and exposing their work to the public. 

A portrait! What could be more simple and more complex, more obvious and more profound.

The above quotation comes not from a photographer, but from 19th century French poet (and art critic) Charles Baudelaire. It's still an accurate observation, maybe even more incisive with the many changes in image-making that have taken place since 1859.  In the age of the selfie and ubiquitous photos of people both famous and unknown it's sometimes hard to imagine a new way of presenting a human likeness, and yet photographers are doing it.  It's said that the portrait differs from the candid (or street) photo in that the subject of the portrait knows that she or he is being photographed, and even that caveat is no longer a hard and fast rule.

For this exhibition, we asked contributors to interpret the portrait in any way they chose. It could be a self-portrait, a formal portrait, a from-the-hip shot of someone whose attention was caught, or even a random body part. Manipulation of the image was permitted as long as the primary subject was from a photographic source in any medium.  Thinking, or seeing, outside the box was very much encouraged, and many of the contributors stretched the concept of the portrait to the extreme. The result is an eclectic exhibit of creative approaches to photographing people (and one rooster).

Exhibit Opens: 4 April 19
Artists' Reception: 13 April 19 17:00
Exhibit Closes: 12 May 19

Juror's Statement:
"First, I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all the artists for sharing their personal vision in photography with me! You made my task as juror both challenging and rewarding. I was genuinely excited to discover so much diversity in approach and technique, along with rich, creative interpretations on such a traditional and timeless theme. It seems that photography, a medium of limitless possibilities, has enabled artists to refresh and also reinvent the familiar, long-standing conventions of portraiture. From quiet to compelling, simple to complex, curious to captivating—the works selected for this exhibition range widely in visual as well as conceptual exploration, conjuring stories that exist beyond the frame, surprising me over and over again with something unexpected."
- Amy Holmes George, March 2019