Photo Travel Digital Study Groups

Photographic Society of America

Photo Travel Division

Submission Instructions (Click here for a PDF copy.)
General	There are four (4) types of on-line submissions - Image Files, Image Descriptors, Image Reviews and Visual Feedback Files. Each of these options has been designed in such a way so as to simplify the process of submitting information and image files. A detailed discussion of each submission type follows in subsequent paragraphs.
Image Files	Preparation: Each image being submitted for review must have the following technical characteristics. The maximum allowable width (horizontal dimension) shall not exceed 1024 pixels. The maximum allowable height (vertical dimension) shall not exceed 768 pixels, regardless of the image's primary orientation (portrait or landscape). The image file must be in JPG/JPEG format. It is recommended that the image profile be sRGB for optimum viewing. You are not asked to use any image file naming convention as the submission software automatically creates the required file names. Files may be submitted using their original names. For ease of submission, it is suggested that all files be stored in the same folder. It may also be helpful to have the image files stored in separate folders on a round-by-round basis. Submission: Image files may be submitted on-line for review one at a time, all at once or any combination. To do so, click on the "Images" option in the "Submissions" Table that is located on the left side of the group page; this will open a new page. Then, click on the “Browse” button for each image. This will enable you to navigate to the folder containing the images to be submitted. Once the folder has been reached, select an image and then click on the “Open” button. This will place the image path and file name in the previously blank box to the left of the “Browse” button. After all, images have been opened, scroll down the window and click on the “Submit” button. The image will then be uploaded to the server. When the upload is completed, an automatic acknowledgment Email will be sent. In the event, it is necessary to re-submit an image, it is important to use the image number as the original. The accepted images do not have to be re-sent; just leave those spaces blank.
Image Descriptors	Preparation: For each set of images that are submitted for reviews, "Image Descriptor" information shall also be provided, as well. Among the items to be submitted include the image titles (ALWAYS REQUIRED), equipment used, camera settings. lighting conditions, in addition to the place and time the image was captured. This information is to be supplied, individually, for each image to the best of the maker's knowledge and ability. Keep in mind that the camera settings for digitally captured images can always be found in meta data. This information is used by the Reviewers in the course of preparing their comments. It may aid them in providing suggestions relating to capture and post-processing techniques that you used. Submission: In order to submit "descriptors" for your images, it is necessary to click on "Descriptors" in the "Submissions" Table. This will open a page containing a form. In addition to a "header" area, the form is comprised of color-coded sets of items for completion. As stated previously, it is necessary that a title be entered for each image. The remainder of the requested information should be supplied to the best of the maker's knowledge. At the top of the form, there are spaces for entering the maker’s name (select from a drop down list), the maker’s Email address and the Round number. These are required items of information. Once the form is completed, click on the "Submit Image" button located at the bottom of the form. This will cause an on-line copy of your information to be displayed on your computer monitor as well as sending you an automatic Email, which will acknowledge your submission. In the event that you receive an error message indicating that required items of information are missing from your submission, click on the "BACK" button and you will be returned to the form with all the items still present. Enter the necessary information and then click on the "Submit" button again. If you decide that changes are necessary, you may click on the "BACK" button (left pointing arrowhead in the upper left corner of your screen). This will re-open the form with all the information present. You can then make the appropriate changes and click on the "Submit" button again. Another Email message with the revised information will be sent to the Webmaster. The message will be used.
Image Reviews	Workflow: It is generally helpful and beneficial to establish a consistent workflow when reviewing Image files. One such method for doing this is to open at least two, and frequently three, "windows." One "window" would contain the Image Descriptors. A second "window" would have the image being reviewed. If deemed appropriate, the third "window" would be an opened text, MS Word or Open Office file (the latter two provide a spell-checking capability). In this way, the inevitable interruptions will have less effect on your workflow. This also enables you minimize your Internet connect time (reducing the risk of lost effort) as well as providing you with back-up files. It then becomes just a matter of copying information from back-up file and putting it into the on-line form (described below). Once all the windows have been opened, it then becomes a relatively simple matter of switching between the windows to develop and record your comments. As for the Image Descriptors, you may use your normal operating system process to download the file to an appropriate folder on your computer. This will allow you to perform your reviews even though the Internet is not available. Image Downloads: Image files should be downloaded onto your computer for greatest flexibility when performing your reviews. Frequently, the images are full or near full size (1024 x 768 pixels). Although the technical evaluation should be made at or near 100% enlargement, smaller sizes are generally needed to determine the quality of the interest/impact and composition. Most often, this requires that the images be downloaded onto your computer also. This can be accomplished by first placing the mouse cursor anywhere within the image and depressing the right mouse button. This will cause a dropdown window to appear; within the window, select the "Save Picture As" option. You will then be able to "navigate" to the folder on your computer where you want to store the images. Next, click on the "Save" button and the file is automatically copied to your folder. Once the download is complete, you will be returned to the image. Preparation: The review of a digital consists of 4 elements - your comments and suggested improvements as well as scores for Interest/Impact, Technical and Composition. Each of these is discussed in the following paragraphs. Individual comments should be objective and identify the strong points of the images so that the maker can gain confidence in their skills and abilities as well as developing an appreciation of other members’ insight and experience. Adverse remarks should be stated in a manner so as to indicate how the image might be improved. It would not be inappropriate to express an opinion as to the image’s possible success in salons/exhibitions. Good judgment and common sense on the part of the reviewer is necessary at all times; a thick skin may be required by the maker on occasion. The scoring system, described below, shall be used in conjunction with each member’s comments on an image to quantify their evaluation. The assigned scores for each image should be consistent with the comments. The combination of the comments and the scores are intended to provide the maker with a “best guess” of the image’s quality. Five (5) points are allocated to each of the areas described below. They should be awarded in 1/2 point intervals. Extreme scores (1 or 5) should be reserved for those images which are, without doubt, worthy or warranted. They should not be awarded lightly. Note: Creativity should not be judged low because it breaks some of the usual rules. 1. Interest, Impact And/Or Impression (1-5 points). This is intended to indicate how the viewer reacted to the image. Considering that three (3) points is normal or average, take account of the following. Add half-point(s)/point(s) if you note any, or a combination, of the following. * Striking color. * Unique subject or lighting. * Unusual camera position or tilt. * Depiction of motion. * Unusually high or low key subjects. * Close-up or macro. * Story-telling elements. * Strong mood elements. Subtract half-point(s)/point(s) if you feel that the image lacks an appropriate amount of interest, impact or impression. 2. Technical (1-5 points). This area generally concerns color, focus and depth-of-field. Considering that three (3) points is normal or average, take account of the following. Keep in mind that it is best to most accurately evaluate an image when it is enlarged to approximately 100%. Add half-point(s)/point(s) if you noted the following. * Proper color balance was used throughout the scene. * Color was used to create a high or low key image. * Color adds impact or tension to the image. * If the depth-of-field causes sharpness to the entire scene. * Selective focus is used to create mood or feeling in the image. * If the depth-of-field is used to blur or mute an unbecoming background. Subtract half-point(s)/point(s) if the image has obvious unnatural color(s), is significantly over or underexposed, the image is not sharp due to improper depth-of-field or focus or there is evidence of unintentional camera motion. 3. Composition (1-5 points). This area is concerned with the major element(s) in the scene as well as their location, especially the center-of-interest. Considering that three (3) points is normal or average, take account of the following. Add half-point(s)/point(s) if you note any, or a combination, of the following. * Strong elements were used, such as (leading) lines, curves, circles and angles. * Center-of-interest is balanced with the other elements. * Elements were properly placed in the scene. * Good use of foreground and background to provide spatial relationships. * Negative elements have been eliminated. Subtract half-point(s)/point(s) if the elements are poorly placed in the scene, the mood or theme is inconsistent with the elements or there are many busy elements present that do not support the main subject. Honest effort. It is understood some subject matter may be objectionable for one reason or another. Or it may be that you may simply not care for a particular type of photography. Abstracts, nudes, figure studies and some nature stories are good examples. However, you must make an honest effort to use the guidelines provided above to evaluate the image as fairly and impartially as possible. Keep in mind that, at one time or another, you will want the same consideration given to your work. Assistance. In time, this scoring process will become quite familiar. Remember that the ultimate goal is to provide assistance that will enable your fellow photographers to grow and improve. Then, you will be able to take pride in your efforts to pay back for what someone has done for you as well as realize gains in your own abilities. Submission: Use the "Reviews" option of the "Submissions" Table to provide your Reviews for a set of images. Upon clicking on that option, a new page will appear that requests some general information at the top, which is then followed by a series of color-coded clusters of spaces. These spaces are to be used for entering your comments and 3 scores for each image individually. By clicking on the downward pointing arrows to the right of each score box, a drop down list will appear that enables you to select your desired number. Just click on that number and it will be automatically inserted in the score box. It is required that all spaces be completed; otherwise you will receive an error message. Please note that there are also selection lists for both the Reviewer's and Maker's Name. This should make the preparation of the form easier. Once you have completed the Image Review form, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the "Submit Image Reviews" button. This will send a copy of your reviews, via Email, to the Webmaster. At the same time, you will be shown a preview copy of your submission. Should note that some of the information requires change, click on the "BACK" button and the original completed form will re-appear. You may make your changes and, once again, click on the "Submit Image Reviews" button. The Webmaster will use the latest copy of your Review messages when preparing the files for posting. In the event that you receive an error message that resulted from the omission of required information, click on the "BACK" button. You will then be able to enter the necessary information and re-submit your reviews. Subsequently, you will receive a copy of the Email message that was sent to the Webmaster, along with an acknowledgement of its receipt.
Visual Feedback	Preparation: A Visual Feedback file is the result of downloading a maker's image and making modifications to it, consistent with your suggested improvements included in your comments. These modifications may include cropping, cloning and color enhancement. Not only will the maker have a better understanding of your views and suggestions, but you will benefit by improving your skills and expanding your knowledge in the use of your image adjusting software. It is not necessary to re-name file when submitting it for posting on the group home page. You may find it useful and convenient to store all the files in the same folder. By doing so, you will save time because you will not be navigating to multiple folders. Submission: Visual Feedback files may be submitted all at once (limit of 8 per session), one at a time or in any combination. The choice and preference are yours. You should also know that the process is identical to that of submitting Images, described above. To submit Visual Feedback files, click on the "Feedback" option in the "Submissions" Table, which will open another page. By clicking on the "Browse" button, you will be able to navigate to the folder containing the file(s) you wish to submit. You must "select" the file that you wish to submit by clicking on it then click on the "Open" button. This will place the full path and file name in the previously empty white box. (Note: the navigation. image selection and open process is slightly different for MAC users, however it is also started by clicking on the "Browse" button.) Visual Feedback files may be submitted in any order, regardless of image maker and image number. In addition to an on-line status message, y0u will receive an automatic acknowledgment Email of your submission.