Entering image competition can seem a little bit daunting. I have been coming to PPANI meetings for about 6 years. At first very sporadically, I had little ones at home and if there wasn’t a speaker I thought I would want to see I didn’t work really hard to find a sitter. So of course I missed a couple of print competitions, because I didn’t see the value of watching other people’s work get evaluated. But about 3 years ago I finally hit a place in my life, and in my business where there was enough room for personal and professional growth. After attending my first print competition, I was fascinated, what made an image merit worthy, why did some images score so much better than others. Now I aim to get to every meeting, and I enter print competition, even when I’m not sure if an image is going to merit or not.

Why? One of the reasons is growth. The more images I enter, the more I learn about what makes a technically superior image. The other reason is proof to myself and others that I am producing professional level work. In today’s day and age when cell phone’s are taking pretty good images, we as professionals have to be able to dial it up a notch. More than that, we need to give our clients a compelling reason to use us instead of just their trusty, on them all the time, phone. To that end, one of the reasons I enter print competition is to complete my Northern Degree.

At the beginning of every meeting, the volunteer checking you in usually asks if you have a merit degree book from Northern. I collected about three of these before I took the time to start tracking my degree points. I finally realized that the best way to earn points was by entering print competition. You can enter up to 8 images in our PPANI Print competition. The print entry is free as long as you are a member and paid your fee to attend the meeting. So that is 8 points you can earn just by entering your images. It could take you all year to earn that many points just attending meetings.

( Information about entering can be found here: https://ppani.wildapricot.org/resources/Documents/2018%20PPANI%20Competition%20Rules%20New.pdf )

I entered my first PPANI print competition in February of 2018. I entered 7 images and received upper 70 scores on all but one. I had to leave early and was listening to the game day app in my car when my final image came up. I don’t remember what my initial score was, but the image was challenged and brought up to an 85. I had a merit image. I was so excited, it gave me a renewed spirit for learning how to create images that not only were loved and appreciated by my clients, but that are also technically and creatively created. My images are pretty hit or miss when it comes to print competition, but I am learning from each and every one. The judges are usually willing to discuss your image after the competition and can tell you the images strengths and

weaknesses. It’s not always an easy thing to hear, but I have found they are always kind about doing it. We are all still learning. Just some of us (finger directly pointed at me) have more left to learn than others.

As for my PPANI merit image, I finally pulled together 3 images that merited at PPANI and decided to enter Districts and then PPA’s International Print Competition. I may only have one image that merited at IPC, but it’s my first one that merited at PPANI and it’s more than I had before putting my work out there. And quite frankly, it makes me smile.

Thank you to our Print Chair, Bruce Van Pelt for his report, and congratulations to all who entered!

PPANI

October 9, 2019      Digital Image Competition

       We had 60 entries from 11 makers. The breakdown is as follows:

52 Portraits

1 Illustrative

4 Wedding

0 Commercial

3 Artist

0 Albums

12 B&W from the above categories.

The judges discussed many of the images as Challenges. This is where we learn the most from the judges’ opinions.

We had 19 that scored 80 or above (President’s Award) 19/60 or 32%. 

We had 8 that scored 85 – 89, and 0 scored 90 or above.

I want to thank my great print crew: Alejandro Mimo, Beth Genengels, Julie Monacella and Megan Drane. 

Thanks to the judges. They were Thom Rouse, Michael Barton and Bert Behnke.

Sincerely,

Bruce Van Pelt, Chairman

Awards

Best Black & White

“First Time in Chicago” by Heather Wilson

Runner’s Up

“Misty” by Jerry Alt

“Dew Covered Landscape” by Jerry Alt

“Knee High by the Fourth of July” by Heather Wilson

Best Artist

“Red, White & Blue” by Peggy Sue Seehafer

Best Portrait

 “Regal” by Laura Dajoraite

Runner’s Up

“Flowergirl” by Megan Drane

 “Fawna, the Woodland Spirit” by Megan Drane

“Stroll in the Fog” by Tom Brandt

“Draped in Loneliness” by Julie Monacella

“Knee High by Fourth of July” by Heather Wilson

“Misty” by Jerry Alt

Best of Show

“Regal” by Laura Dajoraite

BVP 10/9/2019

PPANI

May 8, 2019      Digital Image Competition

       We had 74 entries from 13 makers. The breakdown is as follows:

34 Portraits

16 Illustrative

13 Wedding

0 Commercial

11 Artist

0 Albums

8 B&W from the above categories.

The judges discussed many of the images as Challenges. This is where we learn the most from the judges’ opinions.

We had 36 that scored 80 or above (President’s Award) 36/74 or 49%. 

We had 7 that scored 85 – 89, and 1 scored 95.

I want to thank my great print crew: John Tulipano, Alejandro Mimo, Beth Genengels, Julie Monacella and Bill Gommel. 

Thanks to the judges. They were Thom Rouse, Peter Yu and our speaker Megan DiPiero.

Sincerely,

Bruce Van Pelt, Chairman

Awards

Best Black & White

“Broken Doll” by Michael Novo

Runner’s Up

“Piano en Pointe” by Jerry Alt

“What's Left to the Imagination” by Jerry Alt

Best Artist

“Into the Dark” by Megan Drane

Runner’s Up

  “Who's Peeking?” by Peggy Sue Seehafer

“Dust Buster” by Rosemary Cooper

“Son of Africa” by Megan Drane

Best Portrait

“Muted” by Megan Drane

Runner’s Up

“Raven Heart” by Megan Drane

“Matryoshka Russian Doll” by Michael Novo

Best Illustrative

“Peregrine's Fade to Extinction” by Peggy Sue Seehafer

Runner’s Up

“Great Horned Owl” by Peggy Sue Seehafer

“Tropical Lily” by Peggy Sue Seehafer

Best Wedding

“Sweet Home Chicago” by Michael Novo

Runner’s Up

“Something Blue” by Carol DeAnda

Best of Show

“Muted” by Megan Drane

BVP 5/10/2019

Feb 13, 2019     Digital Image Competition

      We had 198 entries from 29 makers. The breakdown is as follows:

108 Portraits

            41 Illustrative

            15 Wedding

            16 Commercial

            16 Artist

            2 Albums

            21 B&W from the above categories.

The judges discussed many of the images as Challenges. This is where we learn the most from the judges’ opinions.

We had 61 that scored 80 or above (President’s Award) 61/198 or 31%. 

We had 15 that scored 85 – 89, and 2 scored 90, 1 at 91 and 2 at 97.

I want to thank my great print crew: John Tulipano, Alejandro Mimo, Beth Genengels and Michael Novo. 

Thanks to the judges. They were Robert Hawkins (Jury Chair, Iowa), Lisa Dillon and Bryan Welsh from Oregon, Bert Behnke and Dan Thornton (Southern Illinois).

Sincerely,

Bruce Van Pelt, Chairman

Awards

Best Black & White

“Between Heaven and Earth” by Kerri Weiss

Best Artist

“Among the Giants” by Megan Drane

Runner’s Up

“Beware the Looking Glass” by Megan Drane

“Big Brother’s Summer Lessons” by Megan Drane

Best Portrait

“He’s Been Known to Cure Narcolepsy” by Travis Patenaude

Runner’s Up

“Shaggy” by Laura Dajoraite

“Dancer’s Repose” by April Graves

Best Illustrative

“Between Heaven and Earth” by Kerri Weiss

Runner’s Up

“Fallen” by Maria Heineman

“Exit Point” by Michael Lee

“Gramps Garage” by Beth Genengles

Best Wedding

“Warm My Heart” by Carol DeAnda

Runner’s Up

“Timeless Quiet” by Carrie White

Best Commercial

“End of the Day” by Kathryn Northcott

Runner’s Up

“The Design Exponent” by Joseph Fenwick

“Classic Packard” by Kathryn Northcott

“His & Hers Toys” by Kathryn Northcott

Best of Show

“Between Heaven and Earth” by Kerri Weiss

BVP 2/14/2019

PPANI    February 13, 2019     All Day Print Competition

Awards

Best Black & White

“Between Heaven and Earth” by Kerri Weiss

Best Artist

“Among the Giants” by Megan Drane

Runner’s Up

“Beware the Looking Glass” by Megan Drane

“Big Brother’s Summer Lessons” by Megan Drane

Best Portrait

“He’s Been Known to Cure Narcolepsy” by Travis Patenaude

Runner’s Up

“Shaggy” by Laura Dajoraite

“Dancer’s Repose” by April Graves

Best Illustrative

“Between Heaven and Earth” by Kerri Weiss

Runner’s Up

“Fallen” by Maria Heineman

“Exit Point” by Michael Lee

“Gramps Garage” by Beth Genengles

Best Wedding

“Warm My Heart” by Carol DeAnda

Runner’s Up

“Timeless Quiet” by Carrie White

Best Commercial

“End of the Day” by Kathryn Northcott

Runner’s Up

“The Design Exponent” by Joseph Fenwick

“Classic Packard” by Kathryn Northcott

“His & Hers Toys” by Kathryn Northcott

Best of Show

“Between Heaven and Earth” by Kerri Weiss

BVP 2/14/2019

https://www.ppa.com/articles/world-photographic-cup-team-usa-2019-announced

PPANI

October 10, 2018      Digital Image Competition

      We had 60 entries from 11 makers. The breakdown is as follows:

39 Portraits

7 Illustrative

6 Wedding

5 Commercial

3 Artist

8 B&W from the above categories.

We had 35 that scored 80 or above (President’s Award) 35/60 or 58%. 

We had 8 that scored 85 – 89, and 3 scored above 90.

I want to thank my great print crew: John Tulipano, Alejandro Mimo, Megan Drane, Beth Genengels and Michael Novo. Thanks to Bert Behnke for serving as Jury Foreman.

Thanks to my fellow judges Pete Rezac and Peggy Sue Seehafer.

Sincerely,

Bruce Van Pelt, Chairman 10/12/18

Awards

Best of Show

Best Portrait

“On Pointe” - Jerry Alt

Best Commercial

Best Black & White

 “The Green Mill Chicago” - Michael Novo 

Best Illustrative

“Flowers are a Girl’s Best Friend” - Barbara Breitsameter 

Best Artist

“Beware the Looking Glass” - Megan Drane

Best Wedding

“Speakeasy Light Painting” - Michael Novo

Thank you to everyone who attended Sandra Pearce's class this past month, what an incredible artist and speaker. We were honored to have Sandra judge our May competition alongside Bruce Van Pelt, Kathryn Northcott and Michael Novo. Thank you to all of you as well as the print crew. Please see below for the Photographic Image Competition chair report, Congratulations to all who entered.

PPANI

May 9, 2018      Digital Image Competition

      We had 49 entries from 8 makers (6 members). The breakdown is as follows:

28 Portraits

11 Illustrative

3 Wedding

2 Commercial

6 Artist

11 B&W from the above categories.

We had 30 that scored 80 or above (President’s Award) 30/49 or 60%. 

We had 13 that scored 85 – 89, and 3 scored above 90.

I want to thank my great print crew: John Tulipano, Pamela Cather, Megan Drane and Beth Genengels. Thanks to Michael Novo acting as Jury Foreman.

Thanks to my fellow judges Sandra Pearce and Kathryn Northcott.

Sincerely,

Bruce Van Pelt, Chairman 5/13/18

Awards

Best Black & White

Best Portrait

Best of Show

“The Ringer” by Beth Genengels

Best Commercial

 “Molten Gold” by Megan Drane

Best Illustrative

“Fading to Extinction” by Peggy Sue Seehafer 

Best Artist

“Hooded Merganser” by Peggy Sue Seehafer 

Thank you to everyone who participated and attended our February print competition to kick off the 2018 season!  With over 150 entries, there were many great images.  If you were new to competition (or even an old pro), we hope you learned something from watching and listening to the panel judges.

Below is the print competition report, from Our Vice President and Print Competition Chair, Bruce Van Pelt.  Congratulations to everyone who participated.

Feb 14, 2018      Digital Image Competition

      We had 153 entries from 21 makers. The breakdown is as follows:

82 Portraits

46 Illustrative

4 Wedding

5 Commercial

12 Artist

4 Albums

39 B&W from the above categories.

We no longer enter physical entries but had 153 digital entries. 

The judges discussed many of the images as Challenges. This is where we learn the most from the judges’ opinions.

We had 67 that scored 80 or above (President’s Award) 67/153 or 44%. 

We had 14 that scored 85 – 89, and 1 scored 90.

I want to thank my great print crew: John Tulipano, Maria Heineman, Megan Drane and Beth Genengels. Thanks to Peter Yu for running the print handling and scoring system.

Thanks to my fellow judges. They are:

Robert Hawkins (Jury Chair, Iowa), Kristy Steeves (Ohio), Toni Harryman (Iowa) and Dan Thornton (Southern  Illinois).

Sincerely,

Bruce Van Pelt, Chairman

Awards

Best Black & White

“I can See That I Am Strong” by Janelle Pitula

Best Artist

“The Dog Walker” by Megan Drane

Best Portrait

“Uncertain” by Mary Katlin Davis

Best Illustrative

“Stepping Lightly” by Peggy Sue Seehafer 

Best Wedding

“Squeeze” by Michael Novo

Best Album

“My Secret Garden” by Peggy Sue Seehafer 

Best Commercial

“A Dog’s Best Friend” by John Tulipano

Best of Show

“My Secret Garden” by Peggy Sue Seehafer

BVP 2/16/2018

A Vote was taken at our October meeting and  I'm happy to announce your 2018 board members.

Chairman of the Board - Kathryn Northcott

President - Beth Genengels

Vice President  and Print Comp Chair- Bruce Van Pelt

Secretary and Program Chair - Megan Drane

Treasurer - John Tulipano

Membership Chair - Julie Mettler

Host Chair - Laura Dajoraite

If anyone is interested in getting more involved, please reach out to one of your board members. We will be forming committees, and looking for volunteers!

 Thank you to everyone for volunteering your time to make our group what it is.