Educate & Elevate

PPETN Image Critique Program

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Educate & Elevate is a professional educational critique and development program designed to help photographers strengthen their work through thoughtful, constructive feedback in a supportive, low-pressure environment. This program emphasizes education, skill development, and growth - not scoring or placement.

Educate & Elevate is open to photographers of all skill levels, and is ideal for those who:

  • Are preparing for image competition

  • Seek professional feedbackto improve their work

  • Prefer a learning-focused experience without the pressure of live judging

Educate & Elevate is an educational critique program, not a judged competition.

Submissions will be received during three sessions in 2026. All entries must be submitted by 9:00 PM ET on the deadline date of each session. Session dates include:

  • February 1-19, 2026

  • Critiques returned by March 6, 2026

  • May 1-21, 2026

  • Critiques returned by June 5, 2026

  • October 1-15, 2026

  • Critiques returned by October 30, 2026

Critiques are provided by PPA Jurors-in-Training following PPA standards and language. Critiques are educational and are not predictive of scoring outcomes at future competition, nor do they guarantee standing in PPA’s Merit Image Review. Through this educational program you will receive:

  • Professional pre-recorded video critiques (3-5 minutes) from an individual juror.

  • Honest, constructive feedback intended to improve the technical skill, presentation, and impact of your image.

  • Insights on preparing an image for formal competition.

Critiques

Critiques are delivered within two weeks of the submission deadline.

  • Participants are notified via email when critiques are ready for download.

  • Images and critiques are not shared publicly without photographer permission.

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Process for Submitting Images

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  • Log on to PrintCompetition.com and establish your membership, fees apply.

  • Select the PPETN Logo for the competition.

  • Upload images and enter a title for each.

  • Select a category for each image - Some categories have unique requirements. Therefore, review category rules carefully before submitting.

    • Some categories have unique requirements. Therefore, review category rules carefully before submitting.

      omplete payment through the Print Competition website

  • Maximum of 2 images per participant per event.

  • Complete payment through the website.

  • Cost: $7.50 per image

  • Fees are non-refundable once submitted.

PrintCompetition.com Membership Requirements

PrintCompetition.com membership is required to submit images.

  • Basic Membership: $14 per year

  • Premium Membership: $18 per quarter

Both membership levels are valid for Educate & Elevate submissions. However, Premium members have access to all image competition results and critiques on the PrintCompetition.com website.

Educate & Elevate critique fees do not include membership costs.

Submission Rules & Requirements

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Image Eligibility

  • Format: JPEG (.jpeg); Quality 10; digital color or black & white files only

  • Profile: sRGB or Adobe RGB; 4000 pixels on the long side

  • No watermarks, signatures, logos, or identifying marks of any kind

  • Previously critiqued images may be resubmitted

Subject Matter Guidelines

All subject matter is welcome, provided it aligns with professional standards. Images containing explicit sexual content, pornography, or material deemed offensive, unsafe, or inappropriate for a professional educational environment will not be accepted.

Examples of content that may be declined include, but are not limited to:

  • Explicit sexual acts or pornographic imagery

  • Graphic nudity intended to be sexual in nature (tasteful boudoir is acceptable)

  • Images depicting abuse, exploitation, or non-consensual acts

  • Graphic violence or gore

  • Content that promotes hate, discrimination, or harassment

  • Imagery depicting unsafe practices or illegal activity

Final determination of image eligibility rests with the PPETN Image Competition Committee.

Image Competition Eligibility Considerations

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel refrigerator, stone backsplash, two gold pendant lights, and decorative vases on upper shelves. 
Image Provided Courtesy of McLemore, Colby

Any image that meets the Educate & Elevate guidelines for acceptable subject matter and file requirements may be submitted for critique.

However, participants should be aware that some images, while appropriate for critique, may not meet requirements for image competition under PPETN, TNPPA, or PPA rules. Please review those rules if you intend to submit images for competition.

The following types of images are not eligible for image competition:

  • Any image that, in the good-faith opinion of the PPETN Image Competition Committee, that violates copyright, trademark, or any applicable law will be deemed ineligible.

  • This includes, but is not limited to, images illegally photographed on train tracks in the United States.

  • Images photographed at any PPETN- or TNPPA-sponsored workshop or event

  • Images created under the direct supervision of an instructor

  • Images that scored 80 or above in a previous PPETN Image Competition

  • Images that received a score of 80 or above at TNPPA Image Competition, or received a Merit, Loan, or Imaging Excellence Award at PPA prior to 2023 (pre-Merit Image Review)

  • Images selected for the World Cup Competition or that achieved Top 32 designation at IPC (International Photographic Competition)

  • Any entry produced or created from an existing photograph, portrait, graphic, or other artwork (including sculpture, painting, mural, etc.) created by another person

Submission to Educate & Elevate does not override image competition eligibility rules.

Final determination of competition eligibility rests with the PPETN Image Competition Committee or the committee governing the competition entered.

          Image Provided Courtesy of Roznowski, Holly

Authorship, Copyright & Creation Rules

Entrants must have captured and created the original exposure, except in the Artist category.

  • Digital Artist entries may include stock or third-party images, but all artwork must be completed by the entrant.

  • Written permission is required for any third-party imagery used.

  • Guide images are required for all elements used in image creation in the Artist category and must be included on the face of the presentation.

  • Images with outside elements are automatically placed in the Artist category.

  • RAW files must be provided if requested.

Copyrighted materials are not permitted, including company logos or well-known characters (e.g. Grinch, Mickey Mouse, Barbie).

All processing, manipulation, and rendering must be done by the entrant or under the entrant’s direct supervision and are drawn straight from the camera with minimal retouching. Images that evoke emotions, tell a story, or are used to bring public awareness. Includes street photography and follows editing restrictions or it should be entered to portrait categories. Please visit the Image Competition Rules for additional information about editing restrictions in Reportage.

Image Provided Courtesy of Priano, John

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

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No entry in any category can be created in part or whole using text-to-image prompts that use Artificial Intelligence (AI) image-generating technology software that is intended to create whole images and backgrounds entirely from programmed images. A human must have had creative control over the work’s expression. Images and their elements must be created with traditional elements of authorship. However, non-text-to-image prompted elements (such as Photoshop’s automations like generative expand) may be used in image creation.

Images that are determined to violate the AI statement above will be disqualified. AI Images that are disqualified are not eligible to receive a score and cannot be entered into another PPETN or TNPPA competition. If the disqualification is determined after a score has been given, that image will have the score voided and will not be eligible for awards or inclusion in any digital or printed material.

The PPETN Image Competition Committee reserves the right to request straight-out-of-camera or RAW files at any time. Due to pending litigation AI image generators outside the Adobe Engine are not permitted.

Releases & Legal Requirements

Entrants must obtain all required model and property releases.

  • Public events do not require releases.

  • Street Photography requires a model release if the subject is predominant.

  • Images featuring individuals under the age of 18 as the primary subject must have a model release signed by a parent or legal guardian.

  • Releases must be available upon request of the PPETN Image Competition Committee.

Image Provided Courtesy of Enos, James

No refunds will be given after submission deadlines.

  • Missed deadlines result in forfeiture of entry fee.

  • Jurors are selected by the PPETN Image Competition Committee.

The PPETN Image Competition Committee reserves the authority to make final decisions on any issue not specifically covered by these rules. Any entry not following these rules may be disqualified before, during, or after the event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as image competition?
This program provides critiques similar to those received after image competition judging, but there is no judging or scoring, and it is not a live event.

Will this tell me if my image will merit?
No. Critiques focus on improvement and education, not predicting merit or scoring.

Can I submit the same image more than once in different sessions?
Yes.

Do critiques include scores?
No.

Image Provided Courtesy of Fox, Karen