Ansel Adams once said: “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” PDN Faces recognizes the powerful portraits that photographers make, including assignment and personal work, plus celebrity, animal and kids portraiture.
Professional and amateur photographers are judged separately, and are eligible for prizes that include $1,500 and $2,500 cash, one-page features in PDN and more. All winners will be celebrated in the January 2018 issue of PDN and on pdnonline.com, shared with our network of more than half a million readers and followers. 5,000 additional copies of PDN will be sent directly to photo-industry creatives looking to hire new and established talent.
Professional and amateur photographers are judged separately, and are eligible for prizes that include $1,500 and $2,500 cash, one-page features in PDN and more. All winners will be celebrated in the January 2018 issue of PDN and on pdnonline.com, shared with our network of more than half a million readers and followers. 5,000 additional copies of PDN will be sent directly to photo-industry creatives looking to hire new and established talent.
All photographers retain their copyright. Winning
work will only be published in the print and
online winners' gallery and in promotion related to the
Faces contest.
ENTER IN FOUR EASY STEPS:
PRIZES
TWO GRAND-PRIZE WINNERS:
- $2,500 cash (professional)
- $1,500 cash (amateur)
- One-page feature in PDN
- $500 B&H gift card
- Lomo' Instant Automat Glass Magellan camera
September 26, 2018
10 FIRST-PLACE WINNERS:
- $100 B&H gift card
- Lomo' Instant San Remo camera
- One-year PHOTO+ Basic Membership
- 3-Day Pass to WPPI Conference and Expo or PhotoPlus Expo
All winners will be published in PDN and in a gallery on pdnonline.com, which reaches an audience of over half a million readers, followers and photo-industry creatives.
CATEGORIES
Animal Portraits
Babies/Children
Commercial/Editorial/Assignment
Celebrities
Personal Work
Self-Portraits
Babies/Children
Commercial/Editorial/Assignment
Celebrities
Personal Work
Self-Portraits
ENTRY FEE
Professional: $40 (single); $45 (series*)
Amateur: $20 (single); $30 (series*)
Amateur: $20 (single); $30 (series*)
*Please note that a series (2-6 images) must contain visually related and is judged as a whole.
30% discount with PHOTO+ membership
Sign up for/renew your PHOTO+ membership directly from the "Add submissions" page.
Sign up for/renew your PHOTO+ membership directly from the "Add submissions" page.
ABOUT US 
Photo District News (PDN), the award-winning monthly magazine for the professional photographer, has been covering the professional photographic industry for more than 30 years.
In addition to prizes of monetary value, our photo contests provide entrants with immeasurable exposure to leading creatives. Winners' galleries are published in PDN with additional print distribution to influential photo editors, creative directors and art buyers looking for new and established talent.
PDN's family of photo contests covers a broad range of fields and experience, and has a reputation for prestige and value.
In addition to prizes of monetary value, our photo contests provide entrants with immeasurable exposure to leading creatives. Winners' galleries are published in PDN with additional print distribution to influential photo editors, creative directors and art buyers looking for new and established talent.
PDN's family of photo contests covers a broad range of fields and experience, and has a reputation for prestige and value.
See more of our contests here.
Rangefinder (Rf), the award-winning monthly magazine for wedding and portrait photographers, has been covering the photographic industry for more than 60 years. In addition to prizes of monetary value, our photo contests provide entrants with immeasurable exposure to the photography community. Winners are published in Rangefinder, distributed to more than 111,000 readers worldwide, and are also published in an online gallery. Rangefinder's family of photo contests covers a broad range of fields and experience, and has a reputation for prestige and value.
See more of our contests here.
Want to stay informed about the latest photography news, events and contests from Rangefinder and PDN? Subscribe to our newsletters!
Want to stay informed about the latest photography news, events and contests from PDN? Subscribe to our newsletter!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ
Who may enter this contest?
Entrants must be 18 years or older. Employees and direct family members of PDN and its affiliates are not eligible to enter or win prizes. See Rules page for more details.
Can I enter if I live outside of the U.S.?
What is an entry?
What is a photo series?
How do you define a "professional" photographer?
Entrants must be 18 years or older. Employees and direct family members of PDN and its affiliates are not eligible to enter or win prizes. See Rules page for more details.
Can I enter if I live outside of the U.S.?
Except where prohibited by law, international entries can be submitted.
What is an entry?
An entry consists of one image or one photo series.
What is a photo series?
A photo series includes two to six images that convey a story around a particular theme.
Can I enter cinemagraphs/.gifs?
How are the entries judged?Yes, cinemagraphs can be entered into the motion/multimedia category.
Winners will be selected by a panel of judges selected by Photo District News. One additional winner will be selected by People's choice voting on public portfolios for entrants. Entrants have the option of opting out of
People's Choice judging by setting their image sharing option to "private" upon registration, or at any time after registration through their profile settings. The People's Choice winner will appear along with the winners selected by the judges in winners' galleries however there is no monetary prize for the People's Choice winner.
Judging is subjective, however, we have a few simple guidelines for putting together your entry.
- If you are entering a single image, make sure it's strong on its own. You may choose to also enter it as part of a series, but as a single, it should relay the story, moment or concept you want to convey.
- If you are entering a series, make your series cohesive. If it is not from the same photographic series or project, a visual relation that ties the imagery together is key. Judges will be making decisions based upon the strength of the series as a whole. Make a careful edit of your images and order them the way you want them to be viewed.
- Trust your instincts, but also ask the advice of those you trust. Sometimes you need another opinion to improve your edit. Ask someone with a good eye, be it another artist, your rep or a creative who has experience in the field.
How do you define a "professional" photographer?
A professional photographer:
- Earns more than 50 percent of his or her income from photographic sales.
- Publishes photographs in books, magazines, newspapers, or online regularly.
Is
there a limit to the number of entries that I can enter?
What format should I save my digital images?
Is there a timeframe for when my photos must have been taken to qualify for this contest?
I have entered my photo in another competition. Does this disqualify my entry?
Should I watermark my images?
Will my images be sold?
Do you still have questions?
No, you may enter as many entries as you like.
What format should I save my digital images?
Digital images should have a long dimension of at least 2,000 pixels and be saved at 300 dpi (around 7" or larger) jpeg. We recommend the uncompressed file size not be larger than 4 megabytes to ensure a fast upload experience. We can accept images that are up to 50 megabytes (uncompressed) if you do not have the ability to downsize the images (uncompressed is the size you see in Photoshop's "Image Size" display which represents the count of pixels in the image: It is not the file size on your computer's hard drive viewable on your desktop). Images may be color profiled in sRGB, Adobe-1998, or not color-managed.
Is there a timeframe for when my photos must have been taken to qualify for this contest?
No, there are no timeframe restrictions for this contest.
I have entered my photo in another competition. Does this disqualify my entry?
No, we allow images that have been entered or have won in other photo competitions, including other PDN/Rangefinder/WPPI contests, as long as they have not been entered into this contest in a previous year.
Should I watermark my images?
No, we will appropriately credit all winning photographers.
Will my images be sold?
No. You retain copyright to your
photograph and the Sponsors may not sell your photo entry for a fee.
All entries may be posted online so that viewers may view all
competing entries. And winning entries may be used in connection with
the Contest and promotion of the Contest for a period of 24 months
from the date winners are notified.
Winners will be contacted in December 2018 and the winning entries will be published in PDN's January 2019 Issue.
Do you still have questions?
For additional questions email: info@pdncontests.com.
RULES
SPONSORS
TERM
WHO MAY ENTER
HOW TO ENTER
COMPETITION PRIZES
JUDGING
The sponsor of PDN Faces Photography Contest is Emerald Expositions, Inc., 100 Broadway, 14th floor, New York, NY 10005.
TERM
The Contest ends September 26, 2018 , at 11:59 pm PST (the Entry Deadline). An Extended deadline of October 10, 2018 will be issued after September 26, 2018, at 11:59 pm PST with a $10 per entry late fee. All entries must be received by the Extended Entry Deadline.
WHO MAY ENTER
Employees of Photo District News® , and each of their affiliates, subsidiaries and agents, and their immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they live) or persons living in the same households of such individuals, whether or not related, are not eligible to enter or win a prize. Entrants must be at least 18 years of age as of the date of entry. CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
HOW TO ENTER
To enter electronically, please visit
www.facesphotocontest.com
to register. Once the
registration process has been completed, you will receive an
e-mail confirmation. Simply log onto the website and follow the
online instructions to upload images from your computer. Digital
images should have a long dimension of at least 2,000 pixels and
be saved at 300 dpi (Around 7" or larger). We recommend the
compressed file size not be larger than 4 megabytes to ensure a
fast upload experience. We can accept images that are up to 50
megabytes (uncompressed) if you do not have the ability to
downsize the images (uncompressed is the size you see in Photoshop's "Image Size" display
which represents the count of pixels in the image: It is not the file
size on your computer's hard drive viewable on your desktop). Images may be color
profiled in sRGB, Adobe-1998, or not color-managed. For more
information on electronic submission guidelines see our FAQ.
You may enter any number of entries in any of the
categories.
No mail-in entry is available for this Contest.
Each Entry consists of an entry form, a single image or photo essay and an entry fee.
Each submitted photograph, in its entirety, must be a
single work of original material taken by the Contest entrant. By
entering the Contest, entrant represents, acknowledges and
warrants that he or she has full power and authority to enter the
photograph, and that the photograph does not infringe any
copyright or violate any other intellectual property rights. The
entrant agrees to indemnify The Photo Group from any and all
third party claims arising from the photograph.
Photographs that include sculptures, statues, paintings,
and other works of art will be accepted as long as they do not
constitute copyright infringement or fraud, provided that
entrants must be prepared to provide a release form as described
below in "Third Party Releases/Licenses." When photographing the
work of others, it must be as an object in its environment and
not a full-frame close up of another person's art.
If the Photograph includes other people, you must be
prepared to provide a signed written personal release from all
persons who appear in the Photograph submitted, authorizing use
of the Photograph as provided below in "Third Party
Releases/Licenses." If you are unable to provide a personal
release, upon request by Sponsor and in the form provided by
Sponsor, then your entry may be disqualified. You do not need to
send the release with your entry. If you win, we will contact you
if a model release is needed.
The entries will be judged in accordance with the Judging
Criteria, as defined below. The photograph must not, in the sole
and unfettered discretion of the Sponsors, contain obscene,
provocative, defamatory, sexually explicit, or otherwise
objectionable or inappropriate content. Photographs deemed
inappropriate will be disqualified.
Online entries must be made by the authorized account
holder of the e-mail address submitted at the time of entry.
"Authorized account holder" is defined as the natural person who
is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider,
online service provider, internet domain owner, or other person
or organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.)
that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain
associated with the submitted e-mail address.
Categories are specified on the homepage of the PDN Faces Photography Contest website.
COMPETITION PRIZES
Prizes are specified on the homepage of the PDN Faces Photography Contest website.
JUDGING
- Contest consists of two (2) rounds of evaluation. In Round One, a panel of PDN experts in photography (the "Judges") will each review a portion of the entries and select a group of entries in each Category to proceed to Round Two. In Round Two, the Judges will collectively select, from among the entries selected in Round One, a winner in each Category. Limit one prize per winner.
- Sponsors reserve the right not to award all prizes in the event an insufficient number of eligible entries meeting the minimum judging criteria are received, as determined by Sponsors and Judges in their sole discretion.
- Entries will be judged on the basis of creativity, photographic quality and effectiveness in expressing the contest theme. Winners will be published in Photo District News's January 2019 issue and online in the Photo District News Faces Photography Contest winners' gallery.
- Decisions of the Sponsors and Judges are final and binding.
If the photograph contains any material or elements that
are not owned by the entrant and/or which are subject to the
rights of third parties, and/or if any persons appear in the
photograph, the entrant is responsible for obtaining, prior to
submission of the photograph, any and all releases and consents
necessary to permit the exhibition and use of the photograph in
the manner set forth in these Official Rules without additional
compensation. If any person appearing in any photograph is under
the age of majority in their state/province/territory of
residence the signature of a parent or legal guardian is required
on each release.
By participating, ALL ENTRANTS grant the Sponsors and
their designees, licensees or affiliates (the "Authorized
Parties") a non-exclusive, worldwide license, through July 2019, to reproduce, distribute,
display and post the entries
online so that viewers may view all competing entries. In
addition, each WINNER grants to the Authorized Parties a license
for use of his/her winning entry in connection with the Contest
and promotion of the Contest, in any media now or hereafter
known, including but not limited to, print or digital publication
in
PDN
magazine showcasing the winners,
and promotions related to the contest. Authorized Parties will
not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any
additional approval in connection with such use.
THIRD PARTY RELEASES/LICENSES
Winners authorize Emerald Expositions Photo Group to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the photograph entry in connection with PDN Faces Photography Contest, in any media now or hereafter known, including but not limited to: publication in Photo District News ® showcasing the winners; PDN Faces Photography Contest live gallery; the PDN Faces Photography Contest Website and on pdnonline.com; and in exhibits and promotions related to the PDN Faces Photography Contest. Winners authorize Emerald Expositions Photo Group to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the photograph entry in connection with the promotion of the PDN Faces Photography Contest for up to two (2) years.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
By participating, entrants agree to release,
discharge and hold harmless Emerald Expositions, Inc., and each of
their respective partners, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising
agencies, agents and their employees, officers, directors, and
representatives from any claims, losses, and damages arising out of
their participation in this Contest or any Contest-related
activities and the acceptance and use, misuse, or possession of any
prize awarded hereunder.
Sponsors assume no
responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion,
defect, or delay in operation or transmission; communications line
failure; theft or destruction of or unauthorized access to Contest
entries or entry forms; or alteration of entries or entry forms.
Sponsors are not responsible for any problems with or technical
malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online
systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software,
failure of any e-mail entry to be received on account of technical
problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Web site,
human errors of any kind, or any combination thereof, including any
injury or damage to entrants' or any other persons' computers
related to or resulting from participation, uploading or
downloading of any materials related to this Contest.
This Contest is subject to federal, state, and local laws and
regulations. Certain restrictions may apply. Entries void if the
Sponsor determines the entry to not be an original, or if the
entries are illegible, incomplete, damaged, irregular, altered,
counterfeit, produced in error or obtained through fraud or theft.
Participants also agree (a) to be bound by these Official
Rules; (b) that the decisions of the Judges are final on all
matters relating to the Contest; and (c) if he/she wins that
Sponsor may use each winner's name, photograph, likeness, and/or
voice in any publicity or advertising relating to the Contest or
future promotions without compensation or approval (except in
Tennessee and where prohibited by law). All federal, state and
local taxes, fees and surcharges on prizes are the sole
responsibility of the prize winners. In the event that the selected
winner(s) of any prize are/is ineligible or refuses the prize, the
prize will be forfeited and Sponsors, in their sole discretion, may
choose whether to award the prize to another entrant.
RIGHT TO CANCEL OR SUSPEND CONTEST
If for any reason the
Contest is not capable of running as planned, due to infection by
computer virus, bugs, worms, trojan horses, denial of service
attacks, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical
failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsors that
corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness,
integrity, or proper conduct of this Contest, Sponsors reserve the
right, at their sole discretion, to disqualify any individual(s)
who tamper with the entry process, and/or to cancel, terminate,
modify, or suspend the Contest. If Sponsors elect to cancel or
terminate the Contest, Sponsors will not retain any rights in the
submitted photographs and will return the entry fees.
