Image Judging Academy

Learn how print competition judging works and learn how to be a judge.

February 26th in Santa Barbara.  

Tentative:
Monday Feb 27th – Los Gatos – 9 am to 4 pm
Tuesday Feb 28th – Benicia – 9 am to 4 pm

The cost for the workshop is $49.00 per person for PPC members, $99.00 per person for non-PPC members. Memberships will be checked against the PPC data base.

Sign up now at: http://www.ppconline.com/events/image-judging-academy/

PPA 2012 Western District Photographic Competition

This is open to BOTH PPC and PPA members

Registration Deadline
February 23, 2012

To register go to http://www.ppa.com/login.php?redirect=/my-ppa/western

California Sunday Classes

For more info & to sign up go to: http://www.ppconline.com/events/california-sunday-2012/

Photoshop – Zero to Sixty in One Day
February 12
Michael Collins – Lompoc
Michael will teach you the basics and then some in this hands on Photoshop class. From brushes to layers to portrait retouching. One fast paced class. Students should come with a laptop loaded with Photoshop CS4 or CS5 (CS5 preferred).

Quickbooks 101
February 12
Robin Swanson – La Canada-Flintridge
Robin will teach you the ins and outs of the most popular business software so that you can spend more time behind your camera and not in front of the computer or the IRS doing your paperwork. Robin’s fun style will make bookkeeping fun.

Senior Portraits
February 12
Neale Adair – Redlands
Neale will take you from posing and shooting the seniors to his style of retouching. If you shoot seniors, this is a class you don’t want to miss.

Basic Posing and Lighting
February 19
Kathi Corder and Robin Birmingham – Igo-Redding
Master Photographers Kathi and Robin will be on-location, hands-on, environmental lighting program.

The Basics – What Every Photographer Should Know
February 19
Julie Diebolt-Price – Irvine
Julie’s easy going style and experience will have you learning the do’s and don’ts of professional photography in no time.

Photoshop Retouching – Seeing, Correcting and Enhancing
February 19
Tashia Peterman – Mission Viejo
Retouching is an art of seeing light and color and knowing how to manipulate them to take an image from acceptable to exceptional. In this class Tashia will not only show you what tools to use and how to use them, she will also show you what things to look for in your image that will distract and take away from your images and to visualize what will enhance and improve your images.
You will be given her set of tool presets to work with and keep for retouching your images along with a few textures to use for overlays and retouching. Bring a laptop and a thumb drive along with a notepad and pen. You may bring a file of a headshot, a small family portrait and potential print comp image with you to work on.

Underwater Portraiture
February 26
Scot Benton – Sacramento
Plan on getting wet in a warm pool with Scot doing portraits underwater.

Photoshop
February 26
Paul Speaker – Upland Riverside
This will be an intermediate level Photoshop class, intended for those who wish to become more proficient in the use of Photoshop CS5. Students should bring a laptop with Photoshop loaded, and a notebook to take notes. The instructor will provide files to work in class. Subjects to be covered include an overview of the Layers Palette/Panel, making selections, and how to organize your files for the ‘hasty retreat’. Students are encouraged to bring one or more files of their own which illustrate a problem they are having with Photoshop, which needs a solution. If students do not own Photoshop CS5, please download a free trial copy from the Adobe website (good for 30 days). It is expected that some of the new features of CS5 will be covered, including Puppet Warp, Content-Aware Scale, and more. Actions and other tools developed in class will be part of the student’s copy of Photoshop, and will be useful in future projects.

Pets and People
February 26
Ann Gordon – El Sobrante
Americans spend more than $45 billion dollars a year on their pets with another 28 billion spent on their equine cousins. These companion animals are part of the family, surrogate children, and best friends. Because of their status as members of the family spending on pets has been somewhat insulated from economic pressures weighing on other consumer-discretionary items. Learn to tap into this market and enjoy working with these rewarding and inspiring subjects. Ann Gordon. CPP, will cover animal psychology and management, owner management, posing, lighting, and tips and tricks for getting that perfect expression from the four-legged types. We’ll take some time to share ideas for marketing to this niche market and decide whether this a good fit for your business plan.

Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) is a professional accreditation unlike any other. Not only is this quite a milestone personally, but the perfect illustration of your commitment to excellence.

Join us this February 5th & 6th at the Avalon Hearing Aid Centers, Inc.  in Sacramento for our CPP study group and exam!

FREE for PPC members, $29.00 per person for affiliate members (who are not PPC members) and $49 for non-members of PPC or of an affiliate.

It has sold out in other cities so sign up now!

You don’t want to miss this opportunity to separate yourself from the rest of the crowd. It is, as Richard Giachetto says, “Your silent salesman.” The degree of prominence you can’t say aloud about yourself. But, can say quietly in all of your marketing efforts.

Located at:

Avalon Hearing Aid Centers, Inc.,  1260 Fulton Avenue, Suite B  Sacramento, CA 95825

Sign up today!

http://www.ppconline.com/events/camp-certification/

Recognizing Excellence …

Professional Photographers of America recently held their Award and Degree Ceremony in New Orleans, LA. It was a night that honored professional photography and the individuals who set themselves apart in our industry. Held every year, this ceremony celebrates PPA members who’ve earned degrees and awards through their service, competition excellence and instruction.

PPA Degrees

We are proud to announce the accomplishments of the following Members of our PPC Family who earned PPA Degrees:

• Michael Collins - Lompoc, CA – PPC Past President, Webmaster & Awards Committee Chair, received his PPA Master of Photography Degree.

• Penelope Palumbo - Pasadena, CA – PPC Secretary, received her PPA Master of Photography Degree.

• Tashia Peterman - Mission Viejo, CA – PPC Marketing Production, received her PPA Master of Photography Degree.

• Robin Swanson, PPC Treasurer, received her second PPA Master of Photography Degree, as well as her PPA Photographic Craftsman Degree.

PPA 2011 International Photographic Competition Awards

Congratulations also to the recipients of PPA 2011 International Photographic Competition Awards. The following PPC Members demonstrated excellence in their craft and earned tremendous achievements in PPA’s 2011 International Photographic Competition:

PPA Diamond Photographer of the Year

Diamond Photographer of the Year had all four competition images accepted into the PPA Loan Collection:

• Melinda Hughes – Santa Rosa, CA

PPA Platinum Medalist

Platinum Medalist had three images included in the PPA Loan Collection and one image in PPA’s General Collection:

• Tashia Peterman – Mission Viejo, CA

PPA Gold Medalists

Gold Medalists have the distinction of two photographic images being included in the PPA Loan Collection and two images in PPA’s General Collection:

• Kip Cothran – Murrieta, CA
• Jeff A. Davidson – Santee, CA
• Anne Hutton – Camarillo, CA
• Paul Tsang – San Carlos, CA

PPA Silver Medalists

Silver Medalists have achieved the inclusion of one photographic image into PPA’s Loan Collection and three images into PPA’s General Collection:

• DeeDee (Darla) D. Dallas – Riverside, CA
• Karen Nakamura – Gardena, CA
• Penelope P. Palumbo – Pasadena, CA
• Yogi Patel – Moorpark, CA
• Nadia Salameh – San Diego, CA

PPA Bronze Medalist

Bronze Medalist had all four images submitted by the photographer accepted into PPA’s General Collection:

• Joerg Lehmann – Davis, CA

Professional Photographers of California commends these PPA Degree and Award winners for their Excellence in Professional Photography. We are proud of you all!

2012 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

The Professional Photographers of California proudly awards scholarships to the following people:

Jon Campbell                                  Linda Eaman

Diane Costello                                Laura Marshall

Rae DeVito                                      Karen Nakamura

Robert FLetcher                             Charlie Naramore

Ramiro Gaytan                               Nancy Snyder

Joseph Herkel                                Paul Speaker

This District competition is a precursor to PPA’s International Photographic Competition, a world-renowned photographic competition!

Both portrait and illustrative images are eligible for entry.  Entry fee is $95 per member. To read the full rules click here:
http://www.ppa.com/pdfs/westerndistrict_2012_porulesules.pdf

To apply head to this link before February 23rd: http://www.ppa.com/competitions/western.php

The competition judging  will be held March 3rd- 5th, good luck!

Ken Sklute has been honored as one of Canon’s Explorers of Light, a designation shared by only 60 top photographers worldwide. During his 36 year photographic career, Ken has been named Photographer of the Year a total of 27 times between Arizona, New York, and California. Ken has accomplished his Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees from the Professional Photographers of America; Accolade of Photographic Mastery, Accolade of Outstanding Photographic Achievement, Accolade of Exceptional Photographic Achievement, Accolade of Highest Photographic Achievement, and the Accolade of Lifetime Photographic Excellence.

Previous PPC webinars have included: Fundamentals of Lighting with Roger Daines & Lightroom Basics with Troy Miller

  Webinar is FREE for PPC members! CLICK HERE to register for this event.

West Coast School, held  June 17-22, is a non-profit educational event that offers an amazing and inspiring week long experience of professional imaging instruction to professional photographers.

Each year, nationally acclaimed working professionals celebrate the craft of photography by sharing their knowledge and expertise with their students. A hands-on participation is emphasized, as students learn the latest techniques from a successful professional.

14 scholarships will be awarded for the 2012 WCS season.

Scholarships are open to all members who meet the following requirements:
1. Member of PPC in good standing
2. Have not received a PPC scholarship during the previous 2 years.

Go to http://www.ppconline.com/membership/education/scholarship/ to apply today!

Jan 7th check in to the Doubletree LAX-El Segundo hotel for your stay. At sunset, join us for the PPLAC/PPC Photo Challenge to capture the best picture in the El Segundo area (more details below). Images will be shown during Sunday’s dinner and a winner will be announced!

Jan 8th  begins at 9 am with a full day of meetings which all PPC members are invited to attend. At 7 pm the “Rise with PPC in 2012″ Sunday Evening Social begins. Everyone is welcome to come enjoy the dinner and entertainment (RSVP ahead of time to reserve yourself a spot!).

Jan 9th there’s a PPC Board Meeting from 9am-4pm with a break for lunch.

Jan 10th is the FREE Discovery Safari for PPC members. We will be photographing elephant seals on the beach at “Piedras Blancas Rookery” as they fight for their harems and mating rights.

For the full schedule and details, see the flyers below. Hope to see you there!

Orange County  -  January 5^th   Raymond Photography, San Juan Capistrano

Inland Empire  -  January 23^rd  Shutterstories Studio, Riverside

The cost for the workshop is $49.00 per person for PPC members. $99.00 for non-members.  Sign-up Now.

Watch the PPC website and blog for updates on new dates and a locations near you.

Photographic print judging is a very enlightening and challenging process.  It takes courage and confidence to begin the process.  Most photographers want to learn about judging to improve their own photographs and learn to be objective when it comes to commenting upon and judging other images.

Judging is conducted at several levels.  All competitions begin at the local chapter or guild level.  Within California, we utilize 3 levels of competition.  After the local event, we have the PPC state competition.  On alternating years, PPC hosts the PPA District/Regional competition.  Finally, the International competition is hosted each year by PPA in Atlanta, GA.

PPC is preparing a list of qualified jurors.  The list will be given to each of the PPC affiliates so they have a list of judges for their scheduled judgings.  To be included on this list it will be necessary to complete a judging workshop and pass an evaluation at the completion of the workshop.  All members of PPC are invited to attend the workshop.  Workshops will be conducted at various locations across the state.

Holders of the PPC Fellowship and/or PPA Masters degree are encouraged to attend. We want members who are passionate about image competition and who want to improve their photography and learn the judging process.

Over the last 2 years, there have been more changes in our judging process than in the last 3 decades.  With the addition of digital files, the process of evaluating images has risen to a higher level.  Learning to evaluate what is now called Electronic Imaging causes more concern and confusion.

The workshop will be an extensive, all-day event.  We will cover all aspects of the judging process, including terminology, scoring, ideology, digital vs. print, presentation and conduct. This workshop will cover the content of judging and will break down the judging process so that you will be able to understand the “12 Elements” of print competition, scoring, challenges and, most importantly, the rules that govern the entire print competition event.  The 12 Elements are the foundation of judging within our system.  They are used at all 4 levels and help the judges determine the final score.

Examples of all levels of scoring will be discussed.  This workshop will involve all those in attendance.  All seminar attendees will have an opportunity to participate in a mock judging, using images that they brought.  I encourage all in attendance to bring digital files that may be used for discussion purposes.  All attendees should be prepared to sit in the “hot” seats.  When you have completed the workshop, and have passed the judging evaluation, you will have an understanding of the judging principals and be able to participate in future judgings within in your local association.  You will then have the training needed to be a juror for the other PPC affiliates.

Tim Mathiesen M.Photog.Cr. F-ASP
PPA National Jury Chairman

In our very first Discovery Safari, we will visit the elephant seals at Piedras Blancas, near San Simeon close to Hearst Castle. (Big Sur area). At this time of the year the 14′ long, 3 ton bulls are fighting for their harems and mating and there can be anywhere from a few hundred elephant seals to thousands on the beach.

This event will be held Jan 10th, 2012 (the day after the PPC board meeting in El Segundo).

Stay tuned for more info at ppconline.com

The Professional Photographers of California will be offering Discovery Safaris around the State, starting in January 2012. The intention is to have one a month. Sometimes there could be a fee depending on location and permits, we will endeavor to keep the expense around $25 per person if needed.

If you have ideas for future Discovery Safari locations, let us know!