The Photographic Society of South Africa would like to encourage young people to develop their photographic skills. The youth division of PSSA also provides the youth with a platform to measure their skills and compete against other children of their age nationally and internationally. These competitions also provide schools with a means to assess the skill levels of the children external to the school as a means of awarding school colors.
Here is some important information regarding the PSSA Youth Division and its activities and deadlines for 2021.
1. Annual PSSA Youth Division Salon
This salon is open to all youth members of the Photographic Society of South Africa (PSSA) worldwide, as well as all photographers younger than 19 years old residing in South Africa. Entrants need to be younger than 19 years old at the closing date. The Salon will be conducted within the requirements and practices as prescribed by PSSA. There is no entry fee for this salon.
It is envisaged that the salon will close towards the end of July 2021. Please click on PSSA YOUTH DIVISION SALON under the YOUTH tab on this website or click here for the exact closing date and the detailed salon brochure.
2. Certificates of Excellence (COE’s)
This opportunity is open to youth members (under the age of 19) from any of the PSSA clubs and school photography clubs in South Africa. In order to recognize photographic skill in this division PSSA offers these COE awards – Certificate of Excellence.
Applications for COE’s take place twice a year. The dates for 2021 are as follows:
• Saturday 8 May 2021
• Saturday 4 September 2021
For more information on how the application process works, please click on CERTIFICATES OF EXCELLENCE under the YOUTH tab on this website or click here.
3. 19th PSSA National Up-and-Coming Photographic Competition
PSSA invites junior members of an affiliated PSSA Club (1 Star to 3 Star), whether or not they are PSSA members, to enter.
The main purpose of this competition is to create an opportunity for club members and scholars, who do not yet feel ready for National Salons, to compete in a national competition with their peers. The competition includes a separate section for scholars up to the age of 19 whether they are from a recognised scholastic institution or are home schooled.
There is no entry fee for this competition and the closing date is Saturday 20 March 2021. For more information on this competition and the detailed competition brochure, please consult the SALON CALENDAR & RESULTS tab under the SALONS menu on this website or click here.
4. PSA Youth Showcase
The goal of the Photographic Society of America (PSA) Youth Showcase is to involve the Society and its Chapters, clubs, councils, and federations in the promotion and education of photography among young people by highlighting outstanding photographs from high school age students.
The Youth Showcase is open to all students worldwide, ages 14 through 19 and attending high school or its equivalent. The Showcase is an excellent opportunity for eligible students to share their work across all boundaries and receive recognition for their efforts. The deadline for this competition is Thursday 15 April 2021.
For more information on how the application process works, please consult the PSA YOUTH SHOWCASE tab under the YOUTH menu or click here.
5. Culture @ Kearsney Photo Competition
Culture@Kearsney of the Kearsney College is their exciting annual programme designed to celebrate the arts and promote cultural appreciation among the youth in South Africa. Part of this celebration is the annual photographic competition, open to all high school students.
For more detail on the closing date and categories of entry for this competition, please contact Ms. Emily Stockil- Smith (Phone: +27 31 765 9600) or (culture@kearsney.com)
6. PSSA Youth Division Monthly Website Competition
This new initiative will be up and running within the next month. There will be a set subject announced each month on the PSSA website. All individual youth members will be invited to enter 1 image into this competition with the following 2 categories - digital camera photograph and cell phone photograph. The images will be judged and monthly winner will be announced.
The competition uses the PhotoVaultOnline.com online entry system. Type the address http://www.photovaultonline.com in your browser and log in or register if you are not already a user.
Should you wish to contact me, I can be reached here on e-mail or on cell phone (084 442 4442)
Kind regards
Anton la Grange APSSA(vers), DPSSA(vers), AFIAP
PSSA Director: Youth Division
