Overview of PSA

The Photographic Society of America (PSA) is one of the largest non-profit organizations for photographers and photographic organizations. Established in 1934, it has members in over 80 countries. It is headquartered in Oklahoma City.

Learn more about PSA here  https://psaphotoworldwide.org/page/about  Members are encouraged to review the website.

Within PSA there are 6 distinct Divisions. 

Learn more about the Divisions here  https://psaphotoworldwide.org/page/divisions

Interclub competition

Interclub competitions are open to all PSA member clubs. At present well over 100 clubs world wide compete in the various Divisions. Within each Division there are between 4 and 6 Groups with the top Group being Group A. Each Group is operated on a league basis with promotion and relegation based on the year end standings.

An overview of the Interclub competition is here  https://psaphotoworldwide.org/general/custom.asp?page=interclub-overview

Since the 2020 – 2021 season EPS has participated in the Colour, Monochrome and Nature Divisions. Based on our results we have been promoted to Group A within all three. Each season there are 3 Rounds and entries are submitted by the middle of November, February and April. At each Round and in each Division we submit 6 images which have to be by different authors, though an author can be entered in more than one Division.

Within EPS we ask for submissions from members at the start of the season in October, and may ask for more as the season  progresses. A number of EPS members are asked to score all images submitted and the results collated. Actual entries to Interclub are then selected based heavily on the total scores. Each Division has guidelines as to content and editing, but AI is strictly prohibited for synthetic image generation that incorporates external image data. Participating is an interesting and educational experience.

To participate in a Division Interclub competition all participating club members must have a signed release file uploaded to the Interclub portal. The release document is for the member and not the specific image and is good for 3 years. The release document gives permission for PSA to use and display the images but copyright always remains with the member.

Judging of Interclub is undertaken by Host Clubs from another Group. For example EPS judged Nature Round 1 of Group B in 2025-2026 and will be judging Colour Round 3 of another Group. Within Host Clubs usually 3 judges will be appointed. Scores are submitted independently on-line and collated by PSA to give overall club  standings. Scoring is done to a scale of 1 to 9 where each is given a description by PSA for judges to follow. Following collation, a zoom call is held between the EPS judges and the PSA Division Director to decide the Merit and Honourable Mention awards.

By selecting Interclub, the year and the Division you can see all current and previous award images by Round and by Group here  https://www.psa-programs.org/competitions/resultshome.php?cr

This gives an indication of the standard but it must be remembered that only 20% of images gain an award.

There is also an End of Year Competition when all Merit images are judged again by outside and experienced judges. The results from this judging determine the best of show for each Division and from each Group. Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals are awarded with best of the best Honourable Mention images receiving ribbons.