PSA International Exhibitions

PSA Logo PSA Official Definitions Editing Techniques (matrix)
Pictorial Image Nature Photojournalism Photo Travel Pictorial Print and 3D
For Judges For Exhibitors For Organizers
Exhibition Calendar

Pictorial Image Division (PID)

Summary: PID allows open photography with no subject or editing technique restrictions, other than those restrictions listed in the PSA guidelines that apply to all Divisions (i.e. non-authored elements, AI, etc). The division includes both unrestricted open sections for any creative content and themed sections with specific definitions to guide judges and participants. PID includes 2 Star paths: colour and mono.
Refer to the detailed Division Definitions below which will be opened in a new browser window.

Nature Division (ND)

Summary: Nature photography truthfully documents nature stories, both over water and underwater, while maintaining high ethical and technical standards. The 2024 rule allowing human-made elements when "necessary to the nature story" has been replaced with three specific categories: integral story elements, small unavoidable background features, and scientific equipment on animals. Attracting subjects with food or sound is prohibited (unaddressed prior to 2025), though incidental photography during hardship feeding remains acceptable. Zoo photography must now be at accredited facilities following best practices, and includes rescue centers and ethical farms. Images eligible for a Wildlife Award or entered in a ND Wildlife theme must follow all Nature rules with additional restrictions: all animals must be living freely in their natural habitat without human control or captivity, botanical subjects cannot be removed from their environment, and no staging is permitted for photography purposes. Readers are reminded that Wildlife photography is restricted to natural habitats only, removing the 2024 allowance for adopted habitats. Nature photography does not include anthropology and archaeology.
Refer to the detailed Division Definitions (PSA Official Definitions) and to the resource(s) below which will open a new browser window.

Photo Travel Division (PTD)

Summary: A Photo Travel image is a portrayal of the world we live in, without geographic limitations. New for 2026, PTD is divided into 2 Star Paths: PTD Documentary (PTDD) and PTD World in Focus (PTDW). PTD Documentary remains as a reality-based PTD definition, portraying the world as it is found naturally, through images of distinctive places or through images of people who show distinct cultural characteristics or activities. In PTD Documentary images must avoid studio-like settings and setup or arranged photography. In contrast, PTD World in Focus is aligned with the FIAP World in Focus definition. PTD World in Focus allows for images of places or people found naturally, as well as a more diverse range of content such as food and studio portraits. In PTD World in Focus, images that are setup or arranged are allowed.
Refer to the detailed Division Definitions (PSA Official Definitions) and to the resource(s) below which will be opened in a new browser window.

Photojournalism Division (PJD)

Summary: Photojournalism prioritizes storytelling value over pictorial quality, featuring images with informative content and emotional impact that reflect authentic human presence in the world. Images that misrepresent truth through staged events or directed subjects are prohibited. When a Human Interest theme is specified or if this award is offered, typical sports photographs are excluded and instead the focus is on people in interactive, emotional, or unusual situations.
Refer to the PSA Definition and to the other resources below, which will open in a new browser window.

Pictorial Print Division (PPD) and 3D

Summary: The Pictorial Print Division (PPD) accepts both color and monochrome prints. Similar to the Pictorial Image Division, the subject matter for both 3DD and PPD submissions is generally unrestricted, although some PSA-recognized PPD or 3DD exhibitions may have specific themes. Prints are categorized into four classes (Large Color, Large Monochrome, Small Color, Small Monochrome) and two Star paths: Color and Monochrome. There is one 3D class of Star Ratings. Refer to the detailed Division definitions and to the resource(s) below which will open in a new browser window.

Editing Techniques (All Divisions)

Refer to this list for a quick summary of allowed and prohibited editing techniques. In particular, read the AI and Authorship notes below. Please also refer to the details in the PSA Official Definitions.

Editing Techniques (matrix)
  1. Permitted AI-enhanced editing: includes editing tools that perform transformations, enhancements, or corrections based exclusively on the existing pixel data captured in the author's original photograph without introducing externally-sourced content.
  2. Prohibited AI-enhanced editing: includes any AI-assisted processes for synthetic image generation that incorporate external image data, visual elements, textures, objects, or scenes not originally present in the author’s photograph are prohibited.
    3. Outpainting tools (generative fill) which allow you to expand a cropped image using a context-aware extension of the original photo are permitted, unless restricted by the Division’s definition. Other generative AI tools that generate new synthetic visual content based on external image data not originally present in the author’s photograph are prohibited, regardless of how small the edited area. Any person who violates this AI rule shall be banned from PSA exhibitions for a period ranging from 3 years to permanent exclusion..

Division Definitions (ALL)

Click any link below to access the detailed Definitions, which will open a new browser window

Judges Resources

Click any of the links below. Also refer to the PJD and PTD resources, for identifying staged images. Check back from time to time, as new resources may be added.

The first link below is the Judges Register. When clicked, you will be prompted to enter the email used when you judge. If your email is found in the Judges Register, a temporary link will be send to your email. No password is required. Persons are automatically added to the register if they participate as a jury member in a PSA recognized exhibition; Judges can be removed at the discretion of PSA for non-compliance with PSA exhibition rules or standards; a person can request to be removed from the register if they no longer wish to judge in PSA exhibitions.

Important Information for Exhibitors

The following information is important for exhibitors to review.