2018 Image Presentation requirements

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Each year hundreds of images are prepared for entry in the Australian Professional Photography Awards. Images are destined to be critically appraised by judges, extensively displayed and to be retained for archival purposes. They need to be light and compact for ease of transportation and display, of a standard size and format for ease of handling and judging and be of materials that will not damage other entries. Furthermore, as judges, peers and the public will view images, both the content and the presentation must be of a professional standard. With these requirements in mind, the following notes have been prepared. Please use these requirements when preparing your entry, or if you use professional mounting services pass this information on to them.

Entries not complying with these requirements may be disqualified at the discretion of AIPP.

MOUNTING & MATT SIZE

OPTION 1: Flush mounted on single board. To use this method the mounted print must be 40 X 50cm’s and if a border is used the visible image area must be a minimum of 26cm’s on the longest side.	OPTION 2: Mounted on a backing board and matted behind a window mount that allows a visible image area of 26cm or more on the longest side.

The mount size of all entries must be 40 x 50cm and comply with either of the following;

These mounting packages including the image itself, must not exceed 7mm deep (thick).

ACCEPTABLE BACKING/MOUNT BOARDS

1. Cardboard. 2. High density foam core, self-adhesive mounting board.
Mounting on soft Styrofoam, core board, wood, aluminium, masonite, glass, metal and acrylic is not permissible. Taping of mount edges is not acceptable.
Both window mount and backing board must be the same size, 40 x 50cm.
Double and multiple matt is permitted however the total thickness of any entry including the image itself must not be greater than 7mm.

THE IMAGE DENSITY

It is important that when you assess the images you are making for judging, they be viewed under lighting/screen conditions that match the APP Awards judging environment. 

LIGHTING SPECIFICATIONS FOR PRINTS

The lighting system uses two sets of 40 watt colour tubes (5000°K, CRI98) with each set of lights at 45° from the print. Light intensity is tested with a light meter set at 100 ISO from the centre of the print, pointing the incident meter towards the judge viewing position.

The exposure reading should be 1/60 second at f2.8.
Some professional laboratories have print viewing environments matching the Awards specifications. You can do the same by following the above guidelines.

THE FIXING METHODS FOR PRINTS ON MOUNTS

All prints and mounts must be affixed permanently using methods and materials that are proven to provide long term adhesion. Please note that many spray adhesives, transfer adhesives and glues provide minimal or temporary fixing only and are designed for prints, which will be held securely in place in a frame or album. Hinge mounting is not acceptable.

ACCEPTABLE FIXING METHODS AND MATERIALS

Recommended fixings are dry mounting JAC paper double-sided adhesive and commercial heat/pressure mounting techniques usually only available through professional framers and professional laboratories.

UNACCEPTABLE FIXING METHODS AND MATERIALS

If your photographs have been entered into other award judging’s (e.g. State awards), all glue, velcro, sticky tapes, labels etc. must be thoroughly removed before submitting to these awards so as to not damage other entrant’s work.

THE IMAGE SIZE

The visible print (the image itself) must be a minimum of 26 cm on its longest side (one side of the image has to be at least 26cms). It can be larger, of course, up to the 40x50cm mount size. The only exception is where the technology (e.g. Polaroid Transfer) dictates the size, in which case the image must be presented at full size.