Behind every lens is a masterpiece just waiting to happen.

Novice, newbie or pro…it is simply a combination of variables that will all fall in place one day with just the right settings, the right light and the right pen or pens. Either you know exactly what you are doing or you’ve had a lucky day. Let’s find out.

Experiment, have fun, take lots of pictures and submit a few of your very best with your comments on the Pentrace Message Board.

Try to keep Photoshop adjustments to the minimum so we can analyze and comment on the qualities of the image, the lighting, the settings and perhaps some tricks of the trade. Subtle tricks in PhotoShop can be a confusing web, but a few simple adjustments can make a huge difference. Once your images are up on the Board we will all have a chance to learn from one another and how to achieve better results.

Simple rules :

• Take pictures of pens. Any kind of writing instruments and/or related materials.
  Yes, you can take a picture of your puppy, kitty or pet lizard, as long as it has a pen in the image. Remember the main focus is pens, any kind of pens.


• Post your image and commentary to the Message Board.
• Photo Contest - Title your message starting with Photo Contest so we immediately recognize the submission.


• One image per message.


• Image size to no greater than 400 x 600 pixel, 72 dpi is adequate, so it will load quickly.


• Enter as often as you like, there is no limit. If you do not have a web server or are not able to post the image, send the jpeg image to me and I will return it to you with proper link.


• Instructions for creating web links will be also be posted.


• Every picture should have your board name or “handle” in the title so we can identify you as the photographer.


• For every entry you make, send a separate e-mail image in jpeg format to len@pentrace.com so I can create an album. I would suggest you create this also so you can review the ones you consider among the best.

Final judges will be Terry Clark and Eddy McDonald, both are professional photographers.
Eddy has his studios in Puerto Rico and Terry is based in Pennsylvania.

Contest duration : This contest will run indefinitely, with the main prizes being world wide recognition for your exceptional talent, or at the very least your exceptional efforts, and modest prizes to be announced that will be donated by our advertising sponsors and friends.

Please note that if anyone wishes to copy a posted image for personal use, it would be polite to ask permission from the person posting that image.

All posted images remain the property of the originating photographer with no reservations of any kind by Pentrace.

Let the fun begin.