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IPF Distinctions
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Does anyone know what the maximum print size is for the LIPF distinction and do you know if this includes the mount?
A friend of mine was recently very disappointed by the IPF distinction process. He was going for his L first time and asked me to print his panel. I printed his photos around 18×12 inches thinking that 12 being the short side he could just crop while mounting to suit. He got them all mounted at full size. The cost for printing and mounting the panel was in the region of €250.
The night before Thurles a senior member of our club told us that the prints had to be 16×12 inches max. We called around to lots of people and was eventually told yes this was the case and if he came on the day he would be disqualified. I have checked the IPF website and indeed the application form says the maximum print size is 50cm x 40cm. I feel really bad for the person but I also feel pretty annoyed that the IPF just said the form is wrong, the max size is 16×12, always has been and always will be.
I’m just writing up here to have a moan and to find out what people think. Also to ask the question if the maximum print size for all IPF stuff should be at least 18×12 to suit digital sensor ratio. 16×12 is the ratio for 35mm film and it’s a shame to always have to crop what you see through the lens for the IPF.
Phil
This only echoes my own issue with distinctions. You are to produce images that conform to a consensus. As far as I’m concerned your abilities as a photographer are exactly that – your abilities. This includes artistic and creative merit. If you have to conform to sizes because the rules say so then you’re trying to comply with someone elses restrictions and not your own thoughts.
From the IPF point of view – well that’s fair enough as you don’t want 10 lifesize images being backed in by truck but leniency and common sense should prevail. To those who do pursue a distinction then fair dues but to present your work I think a few liberal allowances should be taken on board.
The rules for the upcoming Printed & Projected Images competition are based on a print size of 192 square inches (2,065 cm2) max. Where as the distinction sittings specify 50cm x 40cm max which by should be OK for you seeing as you are using the application form with the specs on it.
Maybe the IPF could maintain consistency in their rules to minimize costs and confusion??? Maybe we should wait and hold our breath…
Alan
As someone who’d never be bothered affiliating himself with an organization like the IPF for reasons likes this I just have one burning curiosity… did they refund the application fee?
16 x 12 is a maximum size, not the only size. The 3:2 ratio that digital files are, can be printed without cropping, up to 15 x 10″. A4 mounted on 3 inch mount all round seems the sensible option or if you have a square composition then you can go up to 12″ square which should be plenty.
There has to be some kind of limit to size otherwise people could turn up with anything, invariably some “artist” would show up with 6 foot by 2 foot mounted on quali egg shells from deepest amazon and with a frame made out of organic seaweed from the outer banks of southern Nigeria as this would be the only way he/she could possibly express their work correctly.
If you don’t like it then don’t do it. Pretty simple advice there I think.
I’m not 100% sure what happened since as it wasn’t my panel but I’m sure they will have to refund the money for the application.
I know distinctions aren’t for everyone but I do think they are good to have in place. Some people like to have something to aim for to help them improve and a lot of people in my club aren’t into photography for any professional or artistic reasons. They just like to take photos and have them appreciated by people. It’s a shame that something like this had to happen because I think it will put most people in our club off the idea of going for it again.
-P
Ballyman: Don’t get me wrong I completely agree with having a maximum size although I think 10 inch on the shortest size for digital is too small and 18×12 would be more in line with the 16×12 35mm print. The problem I have with this whole thing is the application form and IPF website clearly states 50cm x 40cm. They did not honour this size and my friend who produced prints at 18×12 at considerable expense was left with 10 mounted prints that are no good to him. It’s a shame as he was not trying to gain an advantage and didn’t need a truck to get them in.
Ballyman wrote:
There has to be some kind of limit to size otherwise people could turn up with anything, invariably some “artist” would show up with 6 foot by 2 foot mounted on quali egg shells from deepest amazon and with a frame made out of organic seaweed from the outer banks of southern Nigeria as this would be the only way he/she could possibly express their work correctly.
Yes, as I said there is merit in rules but in this case they can’t follow their own rules. Yes, you don’t want lifesize images but artistic freedom with some common sense would help. At least the IPF president, Mark Sedgewick at the SACC Printed & Projected Images round utilised his common sense when a new rule change specified a mount size which was different than previous and a few hadn’t been updated on this change. He allowed them to partake but specified that they be remounted for the finals, which they were.
If you don’t like it then don’t do it. Pretty simple advice there I think.
Well done that man! This isn’t the argument though.
Am I missing something obvious here ? The IPF website/app form says “print size must not exceed 50cm x 40cm”.
This equates to approx 19in x 15in. So if the images were produced at 18×12 I don’t see where
the issue could arise ??
As I say, maybe I’m missing something obvious here but if someone could clarify it I’d appreciate
it as some members of our club are considering applying for an “L” in 2010.
thanks,
Martin.No Martin you didn’t miss anything the website and application form say 50cm x 40cm but this is not the case. They say that the form is wrong and it is always 16×12 max. You can see why I and my friend are so annoyed!
I definitely go after them… having checked their documentation you’re absolutely right to be annoyed –
Thanks, thought I was losing it there.
Getting money back would be something but still not really
compensation for all the time and effort in capturing and
preparing a panel.
“L” for Lousy I think in this case.
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