Rules - Photography
2011-2012 PTA Reflections Program
PHOTOGRAPHY
Theme: “Diversity Means…”
Students must adhere to the general participation rules as well as the following Photography Rules.
Description
A photography entry must be an original black-and-white or color image, or a group of images, produced by a photographic process. The entry must relate to the current Reflections Program theme.
The entry may incorporate such techniques as montage, multiple exposure, negative sandwiches, and photograms. Images may be manipulated conventionally or digitally. Images should demonstrate the student’s proper use of photographic techniques such as depth of field and exposure. The images may be created using various lenses, filters, and light sources. Photographs with added graphics over the image, including lettering, are not acceptable.
Whether an entry uses a variety of techniques or a simple approach, it will be judged primarily on how well the student uses his or her artistic vision to portray the theme. A well-developed concept is more important than technique.
Originality
Each entry must be the original work of one student only. An adult may not alter the creative integrity of a student’s work. Because the program is designed to encourage and recognize each student’s individual creativity, help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. This includes the use of copyrighted cartoon characters or other such material.
Plagiarism is defined as taking and using another person’s ideas, writings, or inventions as one’s own. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified and returned to the students.
Student Entry Form
All participants are required to fill out in its entirety and sign the Student Entry Form. Each participant is also required to submit an artist statement to describe how his or her piece relates to the theme. While there is no required length, the artist statement is mandatory for all entries. Students who have not completely filled out the entry form will not be eligible to participate in the program. In situations where the child cannot fill out the entry form or write legibly, a parent may sign his or her child’s name.
Students have the option of placing the titles of their works on the Student Entry Form and must answer a few questions about how they created their works (see Required Information).
Return of Artwork
Please contact your state PTA for its artwork return policy. If your entry receives a national-level award, your original artwork will be used to prepare the Reflections Program online gallery. Your artwork may also be chosen to participate in other shows or exhibits; if so, the national PTA office will contact you to inform you of the approximate date of the return of your artwork. If your work is not chosen for additional display outside the online gallery, the national PTA office will make every effort to return your artwork by early 2010.
Judging
All national entries are judged on artistic merit, creativity, and interpretation of the theme. Due to the diversity of photographic processes and treatments, the interpretation of the theme is weighted very heavily in judging.
Presentation
A single print or collage may not exceed 11 inches by 14 inches, including a mat.
Print the entries on paper or other two-dimensional material.
Mount all prints on a cardboard mat, poster board, or some other sturdy material.
Protecting the work with shrink-wrap or a transparent plastic cover is optional but highly recommended.
Framed entries, original film (negatives or transparencies), and multidimensional pieces are not accepted.
Place the Student Entry Form in a sheet protector and tape it (with masking tape) to the back of the photograph on top of the shrink-wrap. [We can provide a sheet protector if you need one.]
Required Information
On the Student Entry Form, give the dimensions of the piece and describe the process used in preparing the piece.
Required Artist Statement
On the Student Entry Form, describe what inspired you to create this work and how it relates to the theme. This is required for all grade divisions.
Tags: Photography, reflections, rules