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PPD Study Groups (American Portfolios) and Green Eagle Competition

Director PPD Study Groups 


✉ Bethe King·


   

  

 Each Print Study Group is comprised of 6 to 10 participants who enjoy sharing their prints with other printers, want to improve the quality of their prints, and are interested in an objective evaluation of their prints. The members of each group mail a packet of prints to each member in turn. Each member comments on the prints entered by the other members, enters a new print of their own, and removes the oldest of their own prints. All but one group accept prints up to 8.5” by 11” - these prints fit in the flat rate priority envelope from the USPS. Mailing cost is currently $7.75. Please see the information below for more details. To participate please contact the Director of American Portfolios and describe your interests such as color or monochrome and darkroom or computer processed prints.

Green Eagle Competition Results

Each study group includes a commentator who makes more extensive comments on each print and also awards Green Eagles to those prints they believe would be accepted if entered in an exhibition. The Director of American Portfolios conducts an annual “Green Eagle Competition,” which is a contest among Green Eagle winning prints.



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  • Entry
    The portfolio is mailed to each group member in turn and the member then writes comments about each of the prints in the portfolio, removes the previous print they had submitted, and inserts a new print of theirs for comment. Generally a note is included to provide additional explanations and news. When the round has circulated through all of the group members, the portfolio is sent by the last member on the list to the "Commentator," generally an experienced photographer, who provides an "expert" critique regarding each print. The portfolio Secretary then sets up the schedule for the next round and starts the Portfolio prints on their way. Each round generally takes about three months to reach each member of the group and return to the Secretary.
  • Categories of Study Groups
    • Of the current groups, some accept monochrome prints, some accept color prints, and a few accept either. Prints are usually made by the member, either on an inkjet printer or in the darkroom. Most are open to any subject matter, with the following exceptions:
    • Nature - The subject matter is limited to nature subjects (eg. landscapes, seascapes, wildlife, plant life). The PPD Study Group Nature prints do not conform to the PSA Nature definition (eg. cloning is accepted, hand of man is not considered).
    • Assigned Subject - The subjects are selected in advance for each circuit and the members submit images that fit the assignment. The currently operating assigned subject group accepts monochrome prints. 
    • With sufficient interest, groups of any type can be started. 
  • Commentators

    Each group has an assigned Commentator who is an experienced photographer and printmaker. They evaluate each member's work, make constructive comments for improvement, and issue awards for particularly fine prints.

  • Green Eagle Competition
    In the PPD Study Groups (American Portfolios), the Commentator awards "Green Eagles" to members for particularly fine prints. Prints receiving Green Eagles are then eligible for the annual Green Eagle Contest. There are two categories for this - one for monochrome prints and the other for color prints. Winning prints from this contest receive medals and ribbons and are exhibited at the PSA Annual Conference.

    » PPD Study Groups / Green Eagle Rules: doc | pdf

    Model Release May be Requested if winning image is a portrait and PSA wishes to publish it

    If there is no Model Release available, the image may win but cannot be published. For those who do not have a Model Release, Sample Model Release Form - doc - interactive pdf - both of these forms can be filled out and saved on a mobile or desktop device. 


  • Enrollment

    There is no fee for this activity. PSA Membership is required. The only costs associated with participation are postage (under $8 per circuit, with 3-5 circuits per year) and your cost of paper and ink or chemistry to make the print. You will have your prints back once they’ve completed their travels.

    To enroll in a Study Group, complete the Enrollment Form or send an email to the American Portfolios Enrollment Director. After signing up for one of the Study Groups, members are placed on the list to receive the portfolio at the next round.

    » American Portfolios Enrollment Form: Interactive website page

  • Study Group Forms
    The following forms are needed to complete various activities within the American Portfolios: (these are documents and may not open immediately - some may be saved to your downloads folder)
    • AP01TDSC - Technical Data Sheet (computer printed)
    • AP01TDSD - Technical Data Sheet (darkroom)
    • AP02MCSF - Member Comment Sheet (front)
    • AP02MCSR - Member Comment Sheet (reverse)
    • AP03PCE - Study Group Commentator Evaluation
    • AP04PGEL - Study Group Green Eagle Award Log
    • AP05MGEL - Member Green Eagle Award Log
    • AP07PCR - Study Group Circuit Report
    • AP09SOF - Supply Order Form
    • AP10MRR - Membership Revision Report
    • AP11ENRL - Study Group Enrollment Form
    • AP12BROC - Study Group Brochure
    • AP13CHKL - Member’s Check List
    • AP15RFDD - Request For Division Disbursement
    • » PPD Study Groups / Green Eagle Rules: doc | pdf

    • Model Release May be Requested if winning image is a portrait and PSA wishes to publish it

      If there is no Model Release available, the image may win but cannot be published. For those who do not have a Model Release, Sample Model Release Form - doc - interactive pdf - both of these forms can be filled out and saved on a mobile or desktop device.