Digital photographs should be taken at the camera’s highest resolution (best quality setting).
Digital images to be printed must have an effective resolution of 300 DPI or higher at the size they will be printed. 

Saving/Labeling your Files:
Please resave your image using your last name, first name and a brief title of the image/piece, so the reviewer knows which file he or she is opening to look at within the selection process.  Example “CokusPatty_ILoveApples.jpg”

Suggested Formatting

Dimensions: 1200 x 800 pixels for horizontal or 800 x 1200 pixels for vertical at 150 dpi

File Format: Save all images as BASELINE Standard JPEG. Do not save as a Progressive JPEG.

File Size: JPEGs must be under 1.8 MB.

Color space: Save images in an RGB color space, preferably sRGB.

Helpful Tips

Photo-editing provides an opportunity for color correction, adjusting the contrast and sharpness of your images, allows you to crop images, and introduces you to the skills involved in digital imaging.

Like slides, formatting your digital images can be done on your own. You will need photo-editing software that can resize images, change image resolution, create new images, and save images as JPEGs.  There is a variety of products that can help you format your images successfully. Packaged software is available to purchase as well as free downloadable software. Recently various websites are offering online image editing tools as well. 

Adobe (http://www.adobe.com) currently provides two photo editing products--Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Elements--that are very popular among today's designers and artists. Adobe Elements, the less-expensive option, provides a free 30-day trial if you would like to try the program before purchasing.

Get Paint (http://www.getpaint.net), a free open-source program for Windows-based computers, can also help to format images successfully. If you are a Mac user, download Gimp (http://www.gimp.org), a useful image editing program.

Sumo (http://www.sumopaint.com/web/), Aviary (http://aviary.com/home), and Pixlr (http://www.pixlr.com/) are some of the few websites out there that offer image editing right in the browser.

What is resolution versus image size?
Image resolution, otherwise known as dpi, is the amount of dots per square inch of an image when it is printed. Image size is the dimensions (length and width) of an image in a digital format. The difference between the two is that resolution reflects printer quality and image size designates how large your image will be viewed on monitors.

PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR ARTWORK: SOME TIPS

Proper equipment is essential:

• If photographing your own work, use a 3-megapixel camera or better.
• Use a tripod if at all possible.

Lighting:

                  Lighting is an important factor when photographing your work.

                  Be sure that your camera is set and white-balanced for your lighting conditions.

                  Small shifts of light can dramatically bring out the details in your work.

                  Play with different angles.

                  Avoid hot spots if at all possible (try softening the light or reflecting it).

Exposure:

                  Bracket your photographs and take multiple exposures.

                  Depending on your lighting, various exposures can give different effects to your work.

                  Make sure that your blacks and whites still retain detail.

Focus/ Clarity:

                  Your images should be clear and in focus. This is especially critical with artwork that has fine detail.

                  The more textures and nuances the jurors can see, the more your craftsmanship will be appreciated and noticed.

Perspective:

                  Different angles can give off different moods and feelings for the artwork.

                  Experiment with various angles.

                  Take many photos so you have a variety to choose from.

Size:

                  Use up the maximum amount of image space available in the pixel limit.

                  Crop the image so there is not any unnecessary negative space in the image.

Consistency:

                  Make sure that all of your images have a consistent feel and look.

                  A consistent theme, lighting, background, subject, etc., will make your submission appear professional.

Backgrounds:

                  Steer away from distracting backgrounds.

                  If using a background, gradients and neutral colors work best.

                  People, pets, banners, etc., can take away from your work.

                  Each image is your chance to glorify your work. Remove any distracting elements.

Good luck!