RULES for G.P.U. VIPs (Very Important Photos)

The GPU system for VIPs (Very Important Photos) is based on photos awarded as TOP PRIZE.

Unlike the system for CROWNs, the procedure for VIP Distinctions does not attribute a score automatically. An evaluation of the award will be determined by a special GPU committee.

GPU VIP 1: 5 DIFFERENT top prize photos
GPU VIP 2: 10 DIFFERENT top prize photos
GPU VIP 3: 20 DIFFERENT top prize photos
GPU VIP 4: 30 DIFFERENT top prize photos
GPU VIP 5: 50 DIFFERENT top prize photos

DEFINITION OF “Top Prize Photo”

The awards eligible for VIPs are the 1st Prize, Gold medals or Best Work of Salon in International competitions of any patronage and year. If a Photo Salon is divided into different categories, the first prize for each category is eligible as well. Neither special prizes nor a judge’s choices are valid.

It is also possible to submit a photo awarded at the top worldwide renowned exhibitions (i.e., World Press Photo, BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year, SONY Awards, Travel Photographer of the Year, IPA Contest, etc.), when it was not a first prize. In this case, GPU will decide at its own discretion about the eligibility for VIPs.

Instructions:

1. Download the form from the Crown Distinctions section of gpuphoto.com.
2. Fill the “Check-List & rules” sheet
3. Fill the “page A” sheet: Note that no qualifications can be added to personal data. Titles like “Doctor” will not appear on GPU
   Certificates.
4. List the titles of the photos in the sheet “VIP” indicating for each one the most important “top prize” obtained (only one).
5. Save and send the completed file by e-mail, to the distinctions officer: distinctions@gpuphoto.com
   Include with the completed form the following:
   1. The proof (jpg or pdf) of payment of the fee.
   2. The proofs of the evidence of the prizes listed in the form by the links to the URL of the official catalogues, specify the page, or the jpg or pdf, of the pages of the scanned catalogues.
   3. The photos listed in the form (jpg, low resolution, maximum 200 kb). If the attachments are too large in total, it is possible to split them into multiple emails, or use either the wetransfer.com service or a personal drop-box account.
6. After the documentation has been checked and approved, the GPU Distinction Officer will ask the applicant to send the same photos at a higher resolution of at least 2400pixel, 300dpi). These images will be used for promoting GPU in exhibitions and catalogues with non-profit purpose. By applying, for the GPU VIP, it is agreed that the applicant consents to the use of their photos by GPU for non-profit purposes. The copyright will remain with the photographer.
   Successful applicants will receive a pdf certificate via email once the distinction has been awarded. Paper copies will be sent quarterly (4 times per year).

Costs: The cost of a single VIP is €45 (postage included) which must be paid prior to submitting any application.

Payment can be made by PayPal to finance@gpuphoto.com quoting “VIP” and the level requested.