Understanding Our Standards: The Foundation of TRUST PCS

Understanding Our Standards: Guiding Fairness in Photo Competitions

Welcome to TRUST PCS, found at photocompetitionstandards.org. Since 2007, we’ve dedicated ourselves to championing fair play within the photo competition landscape. Drawing upon our extensive experience, including insights gained from PhotoContestInsider.com (2009-2014) and the recently founded PhotoContests.Co (2024), we conduct a unique, daily analysis of countless photo competition terms and conditions. This unparalleled perspective allows us to understand what truly constitutes ethical practice and identify common areas of concern in the industry.

This Standards Section outlines the rigorous criteria we have developed and apply in our work. These standards cover vital aspects such as Usage Rights, Copyright Retention, Moral Rights, Rules & Terms Transparency, and Judging Processes. They are meticulously designed to uphold the spirit and core principles of the Artists’ Bill of Rights – a foundational guide for fair terms – ensuring their relevance and practical application in today’s diverse photo competition landscape.

How We Work & Our Impact:

• For Competition Organisers: When an organiser approaches us for guidance, we utilise this comprehensive framework to meticulously assess their competition’s terms and practices. This expert evaluation allows us to provide targeted advice, helping them refine their competition’s structure and align with our high standards for fairness and photographer protection. Our aim is to guide organisers towards improvements that will, in turn, help them attract more entries from high-calibre photographers and enhance their reputation within the community.
• For Photographers (via PhotoContests.Co): It is important to clarify that we do NOT display individual star ratings or direct compliance scores for specific competitions directly on photocompetitionstandards.org (TRUST PCS’s website). Instead, our related platform, PhotoContests.Co (PCC), empowers photographers by providing transparent access to information. On PhotoContests.Co, we “dig deep” into organisers’ websites to pull out and publish as much information as possible regarding their terms, conditions, and judging policies. This detailed presentation, which is guided by the principles outlined here, allows photographers to make truly informed decisions for themselves about which competitions to enter. We list a wide range of competitions on PhotoContests.Co, understanding that not all may initially meet the absolute highest standards.
• For the Industry: The combination of TRUST PCS’s direct guidance to organisers and PhotoContests.Co’s comprehensive information for photographers serves a larger purpose: to improve the photo competition industry as a whole. By encouraging organisers to enhance their terms and judging policies, we actively address the long-standing reputation issues many photographers have experienced, fostering an ecosystem where creativity is consistently valued and rights are respected.

Our aim is to provide clarity and a roadmap for fairness. Whether you’re a photographer seeking clarity or an organiser striving for excellence, the insights and criteria within this section are here to guide you.

IMPORTANT LEGAL DISCLAIMER:

This content provides general best practices and illustrative examples for understanding photo competition terms. It is not legal advice. Competition organisers MUST seek independent legal advice from a qualified legal professional to draft, review, and ensure their specific Terms & Conditions comply with all applicable laws.