Entering Exhibitions

Terms and Conditions
Each international exhibition establishes its own terms and conditions and is generally presented as a separate document, which must contain a special seal and a PSA recognition number to indicate that it is recognized by PSA. This document should include fees, image sizes and format, numbers of sections (per PSA division), judging schedule, scores reporting and catalog distribution. The method of submitting your images will be stated. For digital entries, the most often used method is via on-line submissions. Postal arrangements exist for Print competitions, although many print exhibitions also require an on-line submission, including digital files of the prints. Most exhibitions require payment of fees to be via PayPal, although some may provide a facility for payment via bank transfer. Entrants do not need to have a PayPal account – only a credit card.

PSA provides recognition for many of the international exhibitions on a division by division basis. This allows exhibitors who are PSA members to apply for stars within the appropriate division. (An acceptance received in one division can never be used when applying for stars in another division.) Although the requirements for star-ratings are all the same, each division's web page contains information to assist you in making your applications for their stars and galaxy ratings. Each exhibition that receives recognition sends a copy of its acceptance results to PSA. However, all individual exhibitors must maintain records of their own results.

Before entering an exhibition, determine its closing date and what is required to submit an entry. One simple way of doing this is to consult the Exhibitions listing found on the PSA website. Exhibition information is organized by division and by month. Within each division listing, the exhibitions are arranged chronologically, beginning with the one that will close soonest. (Note: Be aware that the same exhibition may be listed in multiple divisions.)

Each exhibition listing includes the number of times an entry will be judged. Most exhibitions are judged only once, indicated as "1 Judging." Listings that include the word "Circuit" in the exhibition name indicate that the entry will be judged multiple times.

There is also information stating how many sections are available for entry, which includes the titles of those sections. Generally, the section names indicate the subject matter that may entered in them. Most often, there are three or four other items of information that are of special interest - the exhibition coordinator's Email address, the Exhibition web address as well as whether online entry and PayPal will be accepted.                              

Once you have made a selection, the following steps will enable you to reach the exhibition without the necessity of having to type in address yourself.

1. Highlight the web address in the listing of the exhibition you have selected.
2. Use Ctrl C (PC) or Command C (MAC) to copy the web address.
3. Go to the web address at the top of your browser and highlight everything after the // in the web address already there.
4. Use Ctrl V (PC) or Command V (MAC) to paste the exhibition web address over the existing web address.
5. Press Enter (PC) or return (MAC) to be brought to the website for that exhibition.

Upon reaching the exhibition web site, make sure it contains a PSA logo; this indicates PSA recognition. It is also important to find information concerning fees and their method of payments as well as allowable image sizes and the means of submitting them. Pay close attention to all the rules and Conditions of Entry. Failure to follow these instructions could lead to problems and even cause your entry to be disqualified.

If online submissions are allowed, there will be a specially marked tab. By clicking on it, a new window generally opens to begin the online entry process. (Note: it is best to have stored a copy of your images in a single folder on your computer to make the process run more smoothly.)
Enter your personal information.
Enter up to four images for each section.
In many cases, image titles are entered on the left and a browse button allows navigation to the folder on your computer containing the image corresponding to the title. (Note: it is not necessary for image file name to be the same as image title.) This is one area that must be paid close attention to in the Conditions of Entry. Some exhibitions may require a name for electronic image files in a certain way and the process may reject entries if the files are not properly named. Fortunately, most exhibitions using online entries omit special file naming requirements because the entry program will automatically rename the file to meet the exhibitions requirements. The entry programs will not change image titles.

Once complete, scroll down to the bottom of the window and find the "Submit" button. After clicking on it, an opportunity may appear to make your fee payment via PayPal, if that is allowable. Note: there is no need to have a PayPal account to use the service. However, it is necessary to have a credit card.

See also: PSA Privacy Policy - pdf

After the Exhibition
After images have been judged and scores have been received, it is important to maintain records of acceptances and titles. To best do this, create a separate spreadsheet (which may be part of the same file) for each division. Then record the exhibition year, the exhibition name, section (use open if there is only one section) and the image title.

It may also be helpful to review the information on the PSA web site regarding the applications for stars provided by the directors of each division.