MONTHLY COMPETITIONS

  For 10 months of the year we run a competition where members can submit their images to be judged. Sometimes we use judges accredited by the PSNZ (Photographic Society of NZ) and sometimes they are local people with suitable experience. The aim of this competition is to gain feedback in both positive and constructive criticism to help members grow their photographic skills.

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Whakatane Camera Club Monthly Competititons

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HOW TO ENTER

*All entries must be submitted as digital images. If you are entering the print category for the month your entries must be submitted as prints AND digital.

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 IMAGES

A member may submit up to a total of FOUR images in the three sections - Open, Set Topic for the month, and Nature with no more than TWO in any section. Nature images shall be in accordance with the international definitions as adopted by PSNZ.   (See Below) Nature images will be titled with the name of the subject only using the common name, latin name or both.

 

PRINTED IMAGES (Only one category per month will be set as printed entries

Prints shall be between Min 150 X 100mm ( 6 X 4 in ) and Max 420 X 297mm ( A3 ) The max mounting size shall be no more than 540mm wide and no more than 410mm high. All images  shall be mounted in clean cardboard matts with no glass or frame. All entries shall have a label attached to the back showing the Grade, Members Club Number-Entry Number and Title. For example-

C24-1  "Monarch Butterfly."

 

DIGITAL IMAGES

Images shall be entered in jpeg format at a maximum of 3840 Pixels on the Horizontal side and a maximum 2160 Pixels on the Vertical side. Images are to be entered via GOOGLE DRIVE into the correct category. The club committee will advise when digital images are to be submitted (Usually for external judging) A member can re-submit an image for judging if it has been substantially changed and if the work has not been awarded a “Merit," Highly Commended” or “Honours”grading.

 

EVALUATION PROCEDURES

 Images are evaluated and points awarded based on IMPACT, COMPOSITION, EXPOSURE, CREATIVITY and PRESENTATION, as perceived by the judge. It has to be understood that there is an element of subjectivity in this process and the Judges decision is final. Judges are especially asked to provide Positive feedback for “C” Grade entries, including non-accepted images.

POINTS AWARDED

0 = Non-Acceptance ( Not yet up to competition standard )

1 = Acceptance ( Good )

2 = Merit ( Excellent )

3 = Highly Commended

4 = Honours (Outstanding )

Points are recorded by the club scorer and accumulated until a promotion level is achieved, after which the scoring is re-set to zero.

 

GRADING PROCEDURES

Club members who have attained a grading in another club may assume that grading in this club. The club committee has the discretion to start members at a higher grade than C.

C-GRADE encompasses new club members. A C-grade photographer may submit unmounted prints for grading. Note the club does encourages members to mount all images. To progress from C grade to B grade a photographer is required to accumulate a total of 15 points. This total will be achieved with all points counted and must include a minimum of two merits.

B-GRADE photographers are expected to have a good technical understanding of photography and composition skills, and regularly gain merits in club competitions. All images shall be mounted with a minimum size of 150 X 200mm ( 6 X 8 in ) To progress from B grade to A grade the photographer will require a total of 30 points ( Not including points gained as a C-grade photographer ) with only points from Merits and honours counting. The total must include at least 2 Honours. Any member gaining acceptance in a National level competition will be awarded 3 points toward their club grading. A-GRADE photographers must demonstrate that their images are competitive with other recognised photographers in NZ. 

ONLY FINANCIAL MEMBERS CAN PARTAKE IN CLUB COMPETITIONS.

 

INTERNATIONAL DEFINITIONS as adopted by PSNZ

NATURE:

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 remaining 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 not eligible, 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 allowed.  All allowed adjustments must appear natural. Colour images can be converted to grey-scale monochrome.  Infrared images, either direct-captures or derivations, are not allowed.

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.

Photographers must have complied with the PSNZ Nature Code of Conduct.

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NATURE CODE OF CONDUCT

When photographing nature subjects, there is always a certain amount of stress put on the subjects by the photographer. The Photographic Society of New Zealand (PSNZ) therefore has put together a series of principles for all members when they are photographing or even observing nature subjects, so that any stress is minimised.  The welfare of the subject is more important than the photograph.  This applies to geological as well as biological subjects.  Any local or national conservation requirements must be obeyed.  This includes getting appropriate permits and observing restricted areas.  Permission should be sought from private landholders before venturing on to their land. There should be minimal disturbance to the surroundings.  it is most important that the photographer has a reasonable knowledge of the subject before attempting to take any pictures.  For uncommon subjects this knowledge needs to be extensive.  It is important that the photographer has a general knowledge of other associated subjects so that the process of photographing causes no risk or stress to them.  This in particular refers to small life forms.

Compliance with the Code of Conduct

The aim of this code of conduct is to prevent any damage to the environment and subjects being photographed, and so members of the PSNZ are expected to comply with it.  Compliance will be assisted by taking time to study the subject to be photographed so as to ensure that it is not inadvertently placed at risk.  Where evidence of a serious and deliberate violation of this Code by a PSNZ member is drawn to the attention of a PSNZ Affiliated Club or PSNZ member, it or they will refer the matter to the PSNZ Council for consideration.

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THE FINAL IMAGE

Any nature picture should record the truth of what the photographer saw at the time the picture was taken and reflect the competence of the image as captured by the photographer.  Digital techniques that extend the capability of the camera may be used providing that they honestly and accurately represent the original nature story or event at the time of capture.