Judging: Scoring Guidelines - 2026

Below Professional Standard (< 70)
Technically flawed, poorly executed, unclear intent, or non-compliant with category rules.

Professional Practice (71-76)
Competent, credible, and technically sound. Would not embarrass a working professional, but lacks distinction.

Commended (77 – 79 )
Strong professional work with clear intent, good control, and thoughtful execution. Memorable but not exceptional.

Bronze (80 – 84)
High-quality professional work. Clear creative or commercial strength. Judges actively respond to it.

Silver (85 – 89)
Exceptional professional work. Strong concept, excellent execution, and confident authorship.

Gold (90 – 94)
Outstanding, category-leading professional work. Original, resolved, and difficult to fault. Sets a clear benchmark within the category.

Platinum (95 – 99)
Exceptional, rare professional work. Demonstrates mastery, authority, and clarity of vision. Judges would expect to see this level of work recognised at the highest international level.

Diamond (100)
Truly exceptional work of historic or defining quality. Virtually flawless, unmistakably original, and unlikely to be equalled within the competition cycle. A reference image for the category.

Aerial & Drone

 Primary weighting: Composition, spatial awareness, legality, intent

• Below Professional Standard (< 70): Elevated viewpoint with weak structure, poor control, or technical faults
• Professional Practice (71 – 76): Clean, legal aerial capture with a clear subject and competent execution
• Commended (77 – 79): Strong use of height, pattern, or geometry to organise the frame
• Bronze (80 – 84): Perspective is purposeful and meaningfully strengthens the subject
• Silver (85 – 89): Exceptional spatial control with clear visual intent and refinement
• Gold (90 – 94): Aerial image where viewpoint and composition are inseparable from impact
• Platinum (95 – 99): Rare aerial work showing complete command of space and scale
• Diamond  (100): Defining aerial image that redefines expectation within the category

Judges should not reward height alone.

Architecture & Interiors

Primary weighting: Accuracy, lighting, control, representation

• Below Professional Standard  (< 70): Distorted verticals, inaccurate colour, or unresolved lighting
• Professional Practice (71 – 76): Technically correct image that accurately represents the space
• Commended (77 – 79): Lighting and composition work together to clarify structure
• Bronze (80 – 84): Considered interpretation of form, function, and atmosphere
• Silver (85 – 89): Sophisticated control of light and perspective with strong coherence
• Gold (90 – 94): Architectural image that clearly expresses design intent with authority
• Platinum (95 – 99): Exceptional architectural work showing mastery of space and light
• Diamond (100): Definitive architectural image that sets a reference standard

Over-stylisation should be penalised.

Advertising & Commercial

Primary weighting: Message clarity, execution, market relevance

• Below Professional Standard (<70): Unclear message, weak finish, or amateur execution
• Professional Practice (71 – 76): Competent commercial image meeting professional expectations
• Commended (77 – 79): Clear concept supported by solid production values
• Bronze (80 – 84): Persuasive visual communication aligned to a defined purpose
• Silver (85 – 89): High-end commercial polish with confident creative decisions
• Gold (90 – 94): Commercial image where concept and execution work seamlessly together
• Platinum (95 – 99): Campaign-level work showing strategic and visual authority
• Diamond (100): Defining commercial image that exemplifies the power of photography

“Pretty” without purpose should not score highly.

Fashion & Beauty

Primary weighting: Styling, collaboration, aesthetic coherence

• Below Professional Standard (< 70): Weak styling, poor retouching, or lack of technical control
• Professional Practice (71 – 76): Industry-standard fashion or beauty execution
• Commended (77 – 79): Strong look with a consistent visual language
• Bronze (80 – 84): Confident aesthetic supported by professional production
• Silver (85 – 89) Editorial-level sophistication across styling, lighting, and finish
• Gold (90 – 94): Fashion image with clear identity and contemporary relevance
• Platinum (95 – 99): Exceptional fashion work demonstrating creative leadership
• Diamond  (100): Defining fashion image that sets aesthetic direction

Judges should watch for over-retouching.

Fine Art & Illustrative

 Primary weighting: Concept, intent, coherence

• Below Professional Standard (< 70): Unclear idea or execution that does not support intent
• Professional Practice (71 – 76): Clear concept delivered competently
• Commended (77 – 79): Engaging idea with thoughtful resolution
• Bronze (80 – 84): Image resonates emotionally or intellectually
• Silver (85 – 89): Strong authorial voice with confident execution
• Gold (90 – 94): Fine art image where concept and form are fully aligned
• Platinum (95 – 99): Rare work showing exceptional clarity of vision
• Diamond  (100): Defining fine art image of lasting significance

Technique should serve the idea, not replace it.

Digital Creation

 Primary weighting: Concept, integration, technical execution

• Below Professional Standard (< 70): Poor compositing or incoherent construction
• Professional Practice (71 – 76): Technically competent digital assembly
• Commended (77 – 79): Strong integration of photographic elements
• Bronze (80 – 84): Digital manipulation meaningfully supports the concept
• Silver (85 – 89): Seamless construction with confident technical control
• Gold (90 – 94): Digital creation where manipulation is invisible and purposeful
• Platinum (95 – 99): Exceptional constructed image demonstrating mastery
• Diamond  (100): Definitive digital creation setting a benchmark for the category

Judges may request layered files.

Landscape & Cityscape

Primary weighting: Light, timing, sense of place

• Below Professional Standard (< 70): Generic scene or excessive processing
• Professional Practice (71 – 76): Clean, competent environmental image
• Commended (77 – 79): Effective use of light and composition
• Bronze (80 – 84): Strong atmosphere with a clear sense of place
• Silver (85 – 89): Exceptional timing and restrained execution
• Gold (90 – 94): Landscape image that fully immerses the viewer
• Platinum (95 – 99): Rare environmental work with exceptional presence
• Diamond  (100): Defining landscape or cityscape of enduring impact

Drama without authenticity should be questioned.

Natural World

Primary weighting: Authenticity, behaviour, ethics

• Below Professional Standard (< 70): Indicators of captivity, staging, or unethical practice
• Professional Practice (71 – 76): Honest documentation of wildlife in context
• Commended (77 – 79): Strong behavioural moment or environmental relationship
• Bronze (80 – 84): Compelling natural interaction captured with intent
• Silver (85 – 89): Rare or beautifully observed behaviour
• Gold (90 – 94): Natural world image balancing impact and ethical integrity
• Platinum (95 – 99): Extraordinary wildlife moment rarely witnessed
• Diamond  (100): Defining natural world image of exceptional significance

Judges should favour authenticity over spectacle.

Music & Sports

Primary weighting: Timing, energy, storytelling

• Below Professional Standard (< 70): Missed moment or limited access
• Professional Practice (71 – 76): Clear documentation of performance or sport
• Commended (77 – 79): Strong peak moment or emotional response
• Bronze (80 – 84): Image tells a clear story of the event
• Silver (85 – 89): Exceptional anticipation and access
• Gold (90 – 94): Event image capturing defining energy or action
• Platinum (95 – 99): Rare moment captured with precision and authority
• Diamond  (100): Defining image that becomes synonymous with the event

Crowd shots without story score lower.

Newborn

Primary weighting: Safety, control, emotional tone

• Below Professional Standard (< 70): Unsafe handling or poor technical finish
• Professional Practice (71 – 76): Safe, clean, professional newborn image
• Commended (77 – 79): Strong styling with gentle, controlled posing
• Bronze (80 – 84): Beautifully balanced newborn portrait
• Silver (85 – 89): Exceptional calm, connection, and polish
• Gold (90 – 94): Newborn image combining safety, emotion, and craft
• Platinum (95 – 99): Rare newborn work of exceptional sensitivity
• Diamond  (100): Defining newborn image setting professional standards

Safety concerns override all other factors.

Pets & Domesticated Animals

Primary weighting: Character, connection, technical clarity

• Below Professional Standard (< 70): Distracting environment or poor timing
• Professional Practice (71 – 76): Competent animal portrait
• Commended (77 – 79): Clear personality and engagement
• Bronze (80 – 84): Strong connection between subject and camera
• Silver (85 – 89): Exceptional expression and technical control
• Gold (90 – 94): Animal portrait with strong emotional impact
• Platinum (95 – 99): Rare image capturing character with authority
• Diamond  (100): Defining animal portrait of lasting appeal

Props should never dominate the subject.

Photojournalism & Street

Primary weighting: Truth, context, storytelling

• Below Professional Standard (< 70): Evidence of staging or manipulation
• Professional Practice (71 – 76): Honest observational image
• Commended (77 – 79): Strong moment supported by context
• Bronze (80 – 84): Compelling narrative frame
• Silver (85 – 89): Powerful, ethical storytelling
• Gold (90 – 94): Documentary image with clear social or narrative weight
• Platinum (95 – 99): Rare moment of significant human relevance
• Diamond  (100): Defining image of historical or cultural importance

Technical perfection is secondary to truth.

Portrait

Primary weighting: Connection, intention, execution

• Below Professional Standard (< 70): Weak expression, lighting, or intent
• Professional Practice (71 – 76): Competent professional portrait
• Commended (77 – 79): Clear engagement with the subject
• Bronze (80 – 84): Strong portrayal of character
• Silver (85 – 89): Confident, distinctive portrait
• Gold (90 – 94): Portrait with clear presence and emotional weight
• Platinum (95 – 99): Rare portrait demonstrating exceptional connection
• Diamond  (100): Defining portrait of lasting impact

Judges should reward emotional honesty.

Wedding

Primary weighting: Authenticity, storytelling, pressure handling

• Below Professional Standard (< 70): Generic coverage or staged appearance
• Professional Practice (71 – 76): Solid professional wedding image
• Commended (77 – 79): Genuine moment well observed
• Bronze (80 – 84): Strong emotional storytelling
• Silver (85 – 89): Exceptional anticipation and narrative control
• 90–94 (Gold): Wedding image that encapsulates the day authentically
• Platinum (95 – 99): Rare, emotionally powerful wedding moment
• Diamond  (100): Defining wedding image of lasting significance

Styled shots disguised as documentary should be penalised.

• 18th July 2026 – Re-style header.
• 15th July 2026 – Link IPM26.
• 2stst January 2026 – Addition of Platinum and Diamond score bands.
• 13th January 2026 – Initial publication