Online Image Preparation

Image Preparation

The following IPTC fields are required:

  • Author: student photojournalist’s first and last names.
  • Document title: This MUST be Blank. Do not have so much as a space in this field.
  • Description:
    • A caption according to AP Style
    • Picture Stories begin with a short summary in the first image description and then a caption for that image. Subsequent images must have captions.
  • City: Where image was captured
  • State: Where image was captured
  • Creation Date: Verify that this field is correct. 
  • Copyright Notice: student photographer’s first and last names or other copyright holder (if applicable).

For picture stories, name the files as follows: sequence number, underscore, your last name, underscore, first name, underscore, keyword/slug for the story (abbreviated name of the story).

For example:
01_Brown_James_Circus.jpg
02_Brown_James_Circus.jpg
03_Brown_James_Circus.jpg

For unrelated single photographs, name the files with your last name, underscore, first name, keyword/slug for the photograph (word describing photo). When uploading to Picter, give each story unique “Project Title.”

For example:
Brown_James_frog.jpg
Brown_James_canoe.jpg
Brown_James_cub scouts.jpg

 Image File Specifications

  • Submitted images must be JPEG files. Compression level between 9 -11.
  • Preferred color space: 8 Bit Adobe RGB, sRGB is acceptable.
  • Image size:  3,000 px on the longest side. This is important. Images that are larger or smaller than 3,000 px on the longest dimension will be rejected. 
  • Do not upsize or interpolate your submissions.

Captions

  • All photographs must be captioned in the IPTC Description field.
  • Images without captions may be disqualified. 

Video Submissions

  • Video files must be saved using Codec  H.264 which generates the file extension .MP4.
  • Links to YouTube, Vimeo, etc. cannot be submitted. Videos in any other format will be disqualified.

NPPF reserves the right to request RAW or untoned JPEG files of submitted images from finalists to ensure the integrity of images.

Next step is to go to the Picter submission site at: https://site.picter.com/2025-nppf-college-scholarships, upload your files and submit your application.

  • Read everything carefully.
  • On the first page of your Picter Submission (Introduction) you will be asked to upload an Untitled Project.
  • Drag your portfolio files (up to 24 JPG and MP4 files) onto the Add Files field.
  • Click NEXT
  • Your Picter “Project Title” must be your first and last name and “Portfolio.” For example: “Jim Brown Portfolio.”
  • Metadata from the JPEGs will be copied into the individual file descriptions. Confirm that all is correct and complete. Adjust as necessary. You must type in descriptions for your videos. Please do describe them.
  • You submit only ONE PROJECT.
  • Fix any and all errors in required fields that appear just before you submit your application.

Still have questions?  Contact: Prof. Jim Kelly at: scholarships@nppf.org