Q: WHEN IS THE DEADLINE?

A: 11:59PM MST, January 27, 2011 to be received in office.

Q: WHERE DO I UPLOAD IMAGES?

A: After you have completed your application form and pay, you can go to the Center/VisualServer login to upload images.

Q: WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY IMAGE SIZE IS TOO LARGE?

A: Use a jpeg quality level of 10 or high when saving your jpgs. Do NOT check the progressive jpg or optimized checkbox. If you follow these guidelines, the size of your images will typically fall between 100-500k when it is compressed (closed). When the image is opened the file might be larger than 500k and that is acceptable.

Q: WHERE DO I UPLOAD MY STATEMENT AND RÉSUMÉ?

A: Click on “Statements and Resume” button located next to “Image Uploader” button on the menu bar in the VisualServer. Click on your project title located to the left of the screen whereupon you will be able to upload a .pdf or .doc with your artist statement or resume.

Q: HOW DO I TITLE MY IMAGES?

A: You may enter in your titles for the Project Launch by double-clicking the image after uploading and following the prompts.

Q: WHY DO MY IMAGES NOT HAVE THE CORRECT COLOR OR CONTRAST AND LOOK VERY SMALL ON THE VISUALSERVER?

A: Once you have uploaded the images to the VisualServer you are now viewing them through an internet browser which does not recognize color profiles. Your images are unaltered by this pro- cess. When the images are downloaded to Adobe Lightroom they will have the correct color pro- file and contrast.

Q: DO I HAVE TO SUBMIT THE AMOUNT OF IMAGES PER THE GUIDELINES?

A: We will not disqualify entries that have less than the specified amount (8-10). However, do keep in mind that most of the entries will have the right amount so submitting fewer images may put you at a disadvantage.

Q: MAY I ENTER TWO OR MORE BODIES OF WORK?

A: Yes, you may submit up to three in one application. If you wish to submit more than three (3) bodies of work, please fill out an additional application.

Q: HOW DO YOU ACCEPT DIGITAL FILES?

A: After payment you will be directed back to the CENTER website for a link to the VisualServer/CENTER login. Please see the guidelines for full details.

Q: MAY I ENTER THE SAME BODY OF WORK THAT I DID LAST YEAR?

A: Yes, each year the selection committee is different.

Q: MAY I ENTER WORK THAT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN A MAGAZINE?

A: Project Launch requirements are that (5) or more images must not have been published in an online magazine and/or in print in more than (2) publications.

Q: MAY I COMBINE BLACK AND WHITE AND COLOR IMAGES INTO ONE BODY OF WORK?

A: Yes.

Q: WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY PROCESS OR MEDIUM?

A: Example - C-print, Archival digital print, Selenium-toned gelatin-silver print, and mixed media.

Q: TO WHICH DIMENSIONS ARE YOU REFERRING?

A: The dimensions of the final product. For instance, if you print 20"x24" Cibachrome and are submitting 8"x10" digital prints please indicate the final version of the work.

Q: MAY I ENTER PRINTS?

A: We no longer accept prints. If you have problems uploading digital files or making your work into digital files, please contact, programs@visitcenter.org for assistance.

CRITERIA & THE JURY PROCESS

Q: DO YOU "PRE-SCREEN"?

A: No, all work submitted is seen by each juror in the judging room.

Q: HOW MANY SUBMISSIONS DO YOU RECEIVE?

A: Last year we received 446 entries for the Project Launch.

Q: ARE THE DIGITAL FILES PROJECTED?

A: Yes, we use a high quality LCD projector.

Q: WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA?

A: The jurors are looking for cohesive, compelling bodies of work that are ready for national recognition.

Q: HOW IMPORTANT IS MY ARTIST STATEMENT?

A: The artist statement is very important and it will often move a submission forward in the judging or conversely, a poorly executed statement will eliminate the project from the competition.

Q: WHAT SHOULD THE ONE-PAGE STATEMENT ADDRESS?

A: The statement should address the “why” more than the “what.” For example, address why you decided to photograph the subject and what your photographs are meant to convey. You should also indicate the process and medium used. Your artist statement should also address where the project is headed and how you would use the award funds.

Q: WILL I RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON THE WORK?

A: Due to the number of submissions the committee is unable to provide specific feedback.

Q: IS THERE A TIME LIMIT WITHIN WHICH THE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN?

A: No, you may submit any photograph regardless of the date it was taken.

Q: MAY I SEND MY BOOK, POSTER, EXHIBITION ANNOUNCEMENT, ETC.?

A: Websites, books, posters, announcements and other materials will not seen by the judges and will not be reviewed.

Q: CAN I SUBMIT TO BOTH THE PROJECT LAUNCH AND PROJECT COMPETITION?

A: We understand that sometimes photographic projects are a work in progress but may be also be considered as a cohesive body of work. You may choose to submit to both the Project Launch and Project Competition, however, if the situation arises that the project is awarded in one category, it would be disqualified from the other category.