Competition Rules and Definitions for 2024/25

DEFINITIONS
Nature photography:
Nature photography is restricted to the use of the photographic process
to depict all branches of natural history, except anthropology and
archaeology, in such a fashion, that a well-informed person will be able to
identify the subject material and certify its honest presentation. The story
telling value of a photograph must be weighed more than the pictorial
quality while maintaining high technical quality. Human elements shall
not be present, except where those human elements are integral parts
of the nature story such as nature subjects, like barn owls or storks,
adapted to an environment modified by humans, or where those human
elements are in situations depicting natural forces, like hurricanes
or tidal waves. Scientific bands, scientific tags or radio collars on wild
animals are permissible. Photographs of human created hybrid plants,
cultivated plants, feral animals, domestic animals, or mounted specimens
are ineligible, as is any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the
photographic statement.

No techniques that add, relocate, replace, or remove pictorial elements
except by cropping are permitted. Techniques that enhance the
presentation of the photograph without changing the nature story or the
pictorial content, or without altering the content of the original scene,
are permitted including HDR, focus stacking and dodging/burning.
Techniques that remove elements added by the camera, such as dust
spots, digital noise, and film scratches, are allowed. Stitched images are
not permitted. All allowed adjustments must appear natural. Colour images
can be converted to greyscale monochrome. Infrared images, either
direct-captures or derivations, are not allowed.

Images used in Nature Photography competitions may be divided in two
classes: Nature and Wildlife.

Images entered in Nature sections meeting the Nature Photography
Definition above can have landscapes, geologic formations, weather
phenomena, and extant organisms as the primary subject matter. This
includes images taken with the subjects in controlled conditions, such
as zoos, game farms, botanical gardens, aquariums and any enclosure
where the subjects are totally dependent on man for food.

Images entered in Wildlife sections meeting the Nature Photography
Definition above are further defined as one or more extant zoological
or botanical organisms free and unrestrained in a natural or adopted
habitat. Landscapes, geologic formations, photographs of zoo or game
farm animals, or of any extant zoological or botanical species taken
under controlled conditions are not eligible in Wildlife sections. Wildlife is
not limited to animals, birds and insects. Marine subjects and botanical
subjects (including fungi and algae) taken in the wild are suitable wildlife
subjects, as are carcasses of extant species.

Wildlife images may be entered in Nature sections of Exhibitions.

Black and white photography (monochrome):

To qualify for any Mono Print competition or the Mono Print section in The
Annual the photograph must meet the requirements of the FIAP definition
of Monochrome as follows:

A black and white work fitting from the very dark grey (black) to the very
clear grey(white) with the various shades of grey is a monochrome work.
A black and white work toned entirely in a single colour will remain a
monochrome work able to stand in the black and white category.

On the other hand, a black and white work modified by a partial toning
or by the addition of one colour becomes a colour work (polychrome) to
stand in the colour category.

 

1. Entries will only be received from paid up members of the
club.

2. Images can only be entered into one Photographer of the Year
competition and one Annual competition. Any images found
to have been previously entered will be withdrawn if identified
before judging or will receive zero points if identified after
judging has taken place. If any member has concerns about
any image it must be raised with the competition secretary
within seven days of the date of judging otherwise all results
will stand.

3. All prints must be mounted. The size of all mounts is
500 mm x 400 mm.

4. The minimum size of any print will be 23 cm along its longest
length.

5. Triptych and multiple image entries are allowed as long as
they are contained within the maximum mount size and the
long edge of the prints included has a minimum of 23 cm.

6. No lettering is allowed on the front of any mount.(Lettering
within the photo itself is fine).

7. Please ensure your mounted print is protected on the rear
using materials which are not likely to stick to another
member’s print or mount to avoid damage. Good quality tape
is advisable - preferably not parcel tape or cheap masking
tape as this can cause damage.

8. The title of the print and entrant’s membership number must
be displayed on the rear of the mount at the top of the mount
in its presentation position.

 

PRINT COMPETITIONS

Entries are to be completed and handed to the Competition
Secretary one week before the competition or as specified. Prints
to be handed in by 19:45 on the night of the competition, prints
arriving later than this will not be eligible. Entries will be invalid if
entries have not been completed on time. Please ensure that the
titles used on the back of the mount are the same as the ones
used on the entry form.

FOR DIGITAL COMPETITIONS
Images are to be given to the Competition Secretary along with
entries one week before the competition or as specified. All digital
entries must be in JPEG format. Images will be projected in 1600
x 1200 pixel format and image profile should be srgb. Therefore landscape format entries must
be no bigger than 1600 pixels wide x 1200 pixels high and portrait
format entries must be no taller than 1200 pixels. 

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION
(POTY)
All photos entered into the qualifying competitions are eligible
to score points towards the POTY title. The POTY scoring
competitions are all monthly competitions (both digital and print)
and excludes the Annual Competition.

Judges will score each photo out of 20 and at the end of the year
your highest eligible marks over the season will be your POTY
score. Whoever has the highest score will be awarded with the
trophy and the title of “Photographer of the Year”. Further details
are available from Steve Walters, Competition Secretary.