1

General

1.01

Only fully-paid up ‘participating’ members may enter the competitions. New members should provide a sample of their work to any of the Competition Secretaries in order to be allocated to an ability class.

1.02

The Slide, Print and Digital Secretaries have the discretion to refuse any entry that they consider does not follow the rules.

1.03

Photographic images must be taken by the member and they must hold the copyright.

1.04

Prints may have a maximum mount size of 40 x 50 cms and a maximum image size of 40 x 50cms. Prints must be properly backed as damage can easily occur. Any self adhesive or Velcro mounting pads must be removed before entry as these materials can damage other prints during handling and transit.(Note: any work chosen for external competitions must be on 40 x 50cm mounts and may be rejected by the organisers if they are not backed using mounting card.)

1.05

Projected Digital Images (PDI) must be supplied as follows:
•The file format must be JPEG (i.e. with the .jpg file extension), and should be saved with an sRGB colour space.
•Maximum image size is 1400 (wide) x 1050 (high) pixels.
•The file name must contain both the image title and photographer's name separated by the word 'by' as in follow example: Rannock Moor by Joanne Smith
•When complete the file should be: Rannock Moor by Joanne Smith.jpg

1.06

Slide mounts must be spotted in the bottom left-hand corner (as viewed in the hand) and marked directly with all required information. ‘Super Fine Point’ markers are ideal for this purpose. The use of sticky labels on mounts is not permitted.

1.07

Slides or PDIs must be handed to the relevant Secretary at least 7 days before the competition. An extension of entry time may be given if number of entries permits.

1.08

Print titles must be registered at least 7 days before. Prints must be brought in by 7.15 pm on the night of the competition.

1.09

All competition entries must be clearly marked with the following: Photographer's name, ability class, class entered and title. For prints please use the EPS labels obtainable from the Print Secretary. For slides please label the box.

1.10

The Society may wish to display images on the website. Members who wish to withhold permission must inform the relevant Competition Secretary.

1.11

At the discretion of the committee these rules may be amended during the season. If this becomes necessary members will be notified.

2

The 'Monthly' Competitions

2.01

A maximum of 2 PDI, 2 prints, 6 digital slides and 6 film slides respectively, may be entered in each of the relevant competitions throughout the year, (6 PDI competitions, 6 Print competitions, and the 2 slide competitions). Entries may be placed either in the member’s ability class (Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced, see section 2.2 below) or in the relevant open class (Portrait, Nature, Record and Small Print, sections 3, 4, 5, and 6) in any proportion desired. Points out of 20 will be awarded to each image unless the author states it is for appraisal onlycipating’ members may enter the competitions. (Note: points awarded in the open classes will go forward for aggregation with marks gained in each photographer’s ability class.)

2.02

An image may be used only once in each discipline and only once in each season. Images submitted for a monthly competition are still eligible for the John Stanley Memorial Challenge and the Projected Image Themes and Print Panels Competitiones.

2.03

Classes
•For the purpose of competition in all disciplines (PDI, Print, or Slide) the members of the club are classified according to ability. The classes are: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.
•The other categories used in the ‘monthly’ competitions are considered Open classes, these are as follows: Portrait, Nature, and Record. In print competitions there is an additional Small Print open class.
•Based on the quality of work produced during the year, class promotions will take place at the end of the season after Committee approval.

Nature

2.04

Entry requirements for this class are based on guidelines issued by Federation Internationale de l’Art Photographique (FIAP). Entrants should satisfy themselves that their entries meet the under mentioned conditions. If you are in doubt about the eligibility of your entry, or in need of further clarification, please see the relevant Competition Secretary.

2.05

Nature photographs should depict living untamed animals or uncultivated plants in a natural habitat, or depict geology or the wide diversity of natural phenomena. Accurate recording of the subject and its natural environment is the prime factor. Obvious evidence of man or his environment in any part of the picture is undesirable and should be avoided, except where appropriate to the subject. Photographs of cultivated plants, formal flower arrangements, domestic or farm animals, mounted specimens, museum exhibits, or man are not acceptable in this class.

2.06

Any form of photo manipulation that alters the material truth of the photographic statement would make an image ineligible. Artistic interpretation of nature photographs is encouraged but not essential. Titles should be factual, and either or both common and Latin names are acceptable.

Portrait

2.07

A photograph of a person or animal, or a group of such taken as a portrait.

Record

2.08

Record images should aim to give accurate and clear information about the subject. As well as images of static subjects, such as buildings, architecture, and objects, documentary images of news and events, of man and his environment or his effect on it, are eligible, as are images of domestic, farm and captive animals, and cultivated flowers and plants

2.09

Deviations or any form of photo manipulation that alters the material truth of the photographic statement are ineligible. Titles should be factual.

Small Print (Prints only)

2.10

Small prints must have a maximum image of 225 sq cms. The maximum mount dimensions are the usual at 40x50cm.

PDI, Print, and Slide of the Year Competitions

2.11

For PDIs, prints, and slides entered in the ‘monthly’ competitions through the season, members may submit all work that has achieved 20 marks, plus two free choices.

2.12

Work for the end-of-the-year competitions must be handed to the relevant secretary, no later than stated by the secretary, for the judge to preview and assess the work, if necessary, prior to the competition.

3

The John Stanley Memorial Challenge

3.01

A member may enter one PDI and/or one print and/or one slide in this competition, which is intended to encourage innovative techniques of artistic impression in photography.

3.02

The format of this event will be varied. The information on what form it will take will be available by the October immediately preceding the competition.

3.03

Images entered in this competition may also be entered in a ‘monthly’ competition and if so entered, may go forward to the relevant end-of-the-year competition.

4

Projected Image Themes and Print Panels Competition

4.01

The aim of this competition is to produce a set of pictures that relate and flow well when they are projected or hung as a panel. The pictures should tell a story or present an in-depth study of a subject of your choice.

4.02

Titles must be given to the respective secretary at least 7 days before the competition.

4.03

For PDI and slides a minimum of six and a maximum of ten images are allowed.

4.04

Prints will be displayed on a 6x4 foot stand. Two rows are available. One panel of not less than six prints may be entered into this competition. The number of individual prints is restricted by the size of the display rack, for example eight landscape format prints in 40x50cm mounts are the maximum the panel will hold. Alternatively an unlimited number of prints or a montage may be entered on a single mount (maximum size 180x120cm).

4.05

A brief introduction of no more than two minutes will be allowed. No commentary or music will be permitted.

4.06

One entry in each of two different media is permitted.

4.07

Images entered in previous theme or panel competitions are not allowed. However, images that have been entered in previous ‘monthly’ competitions are permitted. If the images have not been entered in previous ‘monthly’ competitions they may be entered in future ‘monthly’ competitions.

Within these rules, ‘season’ is used to mean the time between 1st September and 30th April.