Rules & Regulations

Club Competition Rules 2010

Club competitions are open to all members. Each member can present a maximum of 3 images, with no more than two of any one type (print or projected image).
Trophies will be awarded for competitions. For the general competitions these will be engraved glasses.

General Competitions

There are four general competitions during the season, two of them “Open” and two themed. Prints and projected images are eligible.

The same, or a significantly similar, photograph may not be used as both a projected image and a print in the same or subsequent Competitions in the same club year. However, a projected image or print which did not receive a placing or Highly Commended may be entered in one further competition, but not in the same club year.
The Judges will award First, Second and Third places. Judges are also free to award as many Highly Commendeds as they wish.

Annuals Competitions

Three competitions take place on the “Annuals” evening: Colour prints, Monochrome prints and Projected images (for monochrome, see Glossary)
Any print or projected image can only be used in one Annual Competition, but one that has been
shown before in a General Competition may be used, irrespective of its placing.
Only 3 images in total may be entered, with no more than 2 colour or monochrome prints or projected images.

In the following competitions you may use images that you have used previously in other, but not the same, competitions.

Focus on Nature
Images must adhere to the strict FIAP Nature definition (see Glossary)

Creative Competition (see Glossary for definition)

Chairman’s Challenge Night
This challenge usually takes place on the final evening. The Chairman will decide what form it takes.

Presentation for all Competitions

Digital Images must be handed to the Digital Secretary, preferably on a CD, or emailed one week prior to all competitions.
Image file sizes should be a maximum width of 1400 px and a maximum height of 1050 px, 96 dpi and be saved preferably as TIFFs (see tutorials on the website).
Prints should be marked on the back (top left hand corner) with the member’s allocated number, name and the print title. Print titles will be read out at each competition. Mounts should preferably be 50 cm x 40 cm. The actual print size may be chosen by the photographer. Titles for prints should be sent to the Competitions Secretary at least one day before each competition.

Glossary

Monochrome – an image is considered to be monochrome if, in addition to being a straight black and white image, it is either:
1.A toned black and white image with or without different shades, or
2.A black and white image to which one colour has partially been added.

Close-up – for this general competition the definition is “Any picture which shows a subject to advantage by being close up”.

Nature – the strict FIAP Nature definition that the members agreed to adopt at the AGM 2004 is as follows:
“Nature photography depicts living, untamed animals and uncultivated plants in a natural habitat, geology and the wide diversity of natural phenomena from icebergs to insects. Photographs of animals that are domesticated, caged or under any form of restraint, as well as any cultivated plants are ineligible. Minimal evidence of humans is acceptable for nature subjects, such as Barn Owls or Storks adapting to an environment modified by humans, or natural forces like hurricanes or tidal waves reclaiming it. Any modification to the original images is limited to minor retouching of blemishes and must not alter the content of the original scene. After satisfying the above requirements, every effort should be made to use the highest level of artistic skill in all nature photographs.

Creative – Creative images are defined as those which have altered reality, or those in which the photographer’s input is obvious.