INFOMATION FOR SUBMITTING IMAGES
as adopted by PSNZ
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.
COMPETITION OBJECTIVES
To provide expert comment on club members’ images and a competitive challenge with the aim of helping members to take better photographs. To encourage creativity and the development of photo composition and processing skills in a fun environment.
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. Images shall be recent - definitely less than 3 years old. 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 - advised by the program). 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, frame, or block. 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."
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. Mounts may be re-used with care as damaged or dirty mounts will detract from the photo. Cutting matts is not easy to do successfully and prepared 8”x12” (200mm *300mm) matts are available for new members at cost from the Club at the time of joining
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 (not interchangeable). 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. Oversized images will be judged but no points will be credited towards the annual total. Images shall be titled as follows: - Grade, Membership number, entry number in category- title.jpg, in the format C12 - 1 Title.jpg.
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. Once a member has attained a grading they will hold that grade until promoted. For the Annual Awards the total points and honours scored by all grades in the year are counted. Club members earn a promotion on the basis of the number of Merits, Highly Commended, and Honours awarded in any one calendar year. Scores will be evaluated after the last monthly competition and members advised of promotions at the end of year function. The committee may allow members within two awards of promotion at the end of a year to be promoted, subject to their earning the necessary awards in the first competition of the next year.
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 (Beginners) 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 (Intermediate) 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.
A GRADE (ADVANCED) Photographers are expected to be able to produce images to the standard of other recognised photographers in NZ. To progress from “B” grade to “A” grade the photographer is required to accumulate:
14 images scoring Merit or higher, of which
7 shall be scored Highly Commended or higher, and of which
3 shall be scored Honours
FURTHER PROMOTION
Club Members are encouraged to seek wider recognition by entering National and International competitions, and to apply for PSNZ Awards. A-grade photographers are recommended to progress further in this way, but there is no reason for lower grade photographers not to try.
EXCEPTIONS
Club members who have attained a grading in another recognised camera club may apply to the Club Committee to assume the equivalent grading in this club. In the absence of a recognised prior grading, the Committee has the discretion to assign new obviously skilled members a B grade .
ANNUAL AWARDS
A club champion, first and second runner-up are selected each year on the basis of the points scored in that year, with an additional award for the most improved photographer. Additional awards are made for the highest score attained in each of the three categories. Other awards may also be made.