Competition Rules

Rules and procedures common to all competitions
Internal League Competition for prints, slides and digital images
Best Image Competition for prints, slides and digital images
Outings Competition for prints, slides and digital images
Irene Foster Rosebowl for prints
Saguaro Trophy for slides and digital images
Photo Safari Competition for slides and digital images
Annual Exhibition for prints, slides and digital images

Rules and procedures common to all competitions unless otherwise stated

Classification of members:

Classification of members is at the sole discretion of the club committee, normally at the conclusion of the club year (and the year's competition) for the forthcoming year. Members will be classified separately for prints and digital images. The classification will cover both monochrome and colour images.
Advanced class: members possessing recognised qualifications or of proven ability
Standard class: members possessing a standard below that expected of the advanced class, but a member may apply for upgrading at any time
Enprint class: members not entering the standard or advanced class (not just beginners or new members, who may enter at standard level)

Presentation and labelling:

Prints:
Presentation: (i) advanced and standard - any size image, mount size max 40 x 50 cm overall (ii) enprints - any size image, mount size max 80 sq inches (516 sq cms) overall.
Labelling: on back - title, author and class.
Slides:
Presentation: 2 x 2 inch GePe (glass) mounts
Labelling: slides (i) on front (white face) - title at top and spotted bottom left corner when viewed correct way round and correct way up (ii) on back - author's name
Digital: Presentation: (i) JPEG files (ii) max width 1024 pixels, max height 768 pixels and (iii) sRGB colour space (iv) submitted by email, on memory stick or on CD to competition secretary. NB: no standard for resolution (number of pixels per cm)
Labelling: file names in format - "Tennis ball 05 % Duncan Grove.jpg"

Rules relating to images:

An image which is so similar to a previously submitted image as to be reasonably indistinguishable other than with significant changes to treatment or colouration will not be allowed
If an image is required to be monochrome it shall be in shades or different tints of one colour
Images may be trade or home processed
If images are not marked as required, e.g. internal league and panel competitions, the competition secretary may choose the image not to be counted or disqualify the entry
If the competition secretary's decision is not acceptable to the member he/she shall be allowed to appeal to the Committee

Miscellaneous:

Categories: open subject matter unless otherwise specified, e.g. set subject or monochrome
Competition date(s) given for guidance only

Internal League Competition for prints, slides and digital images

Competition date(s): five rounds during 12 calendar months period
Closing date: one week before each round. Entries to be handed to the competition secretary.
Entries submitted on the date of each round may be refused unless prior arrangements are made with the competition secretary
Classes: (i) prints - advanced, standard and enprint (ii) slides - open (iii) digital - advanced and standard
Categories: open subject matter unless otherwise specified, e.g. set subject or monochrome only
Number of images per person: maximum (i) 3 prints in each round, numbered 1-3 so that in the event of two or all three achieving the same lower score, they will be taken in order (2 then 3) in deciding the two which count and (ii) 2 slides and (iii) 2 digital images
Limit to number of times used in competition: no image may be entered more than twice and only once if receiving a Certificate at the first showing
Judging: at the competition by club's selected external judge (except in case of emergency when club member may be chosen by mutual consent of members present) with the title of each image to be read out prior to judging
Awards: points awarded at each round out of 10, including half points. At each round an image will receive a certificate if awarded 9, 9.5 or 10 (subject to not more than 2 certificates in any one round).
Total points awarded by best two images in each round to be added together. The league winners will have amassed the highest number of points over all rounds

Best Image Competition for prints, slides and digital images

Competition date: late February
Closing date: one week prior to competition
Classes: as for Internal League Competition
Categories: images gaining 9 points or more in Internal League Competition in previous year (NB, not just certificate awards)
Number of images per member: maximum (i) 2 prints / enprints (ii) 2 slides and (iii) 2 digital
Judging: as for Internal League Competition
Awards: judge to select winner, runner-up and third place in each class.

Outings Competition for prints, slides and digital images

Competition date: late March
Closing date: two weeks prior to competition
Classes: (i) prints - open (ii) enprints and (iii) slides/digital - open
Categories: images taken at club outings in previous year
Number of images per member: maximum (i) 2 prints / enprints (ii) 2 slides and (iii) 2 digital
NB: Additional images welcome, submitted with competition entries, for showing to fill available time in the evening
Presentation: as for Internal League Competition but slides may be plastic/card mounted
Judging: Panel comprising competition secretary/ies and other(s) subject to minimum of three to select winner in each class
Awards: Panel to award trophies to winners of prints, enprints and slides / digital classes

Irene Foster Rosebowl for prints

Competition date: late April, in conjunction with Saguaro Trophy for slides / digital images
Closing date: one week prior to competition
Classes: open, i.e. no separate classes
Categories: open subject matter, each panel on a single theme
Number of images per member: maximum 2 panels of 3 images (delete "per member", already mentioned)
Labelling: on back - title, author and marked L-C-R
Judging: at the competition by club members. Each member selects his/her choice of best three panels in order, awarding first (5 points), second (3 points) and third (1 point)
Awards: trophy to overall winner, i.e. with most points.

Saguaro Trophy for slides and digital images

Competition date: late April, in conjunction with Irene Foster Rosebowl for prints
Closing date: one week prior to competition
Classes: open, i.e. no separate classes
Categories: open subject matter, each panel on a single theme
Number of images per member: maximum 2 panels of 3 images of slides or digital images or one of each with (i) slides displayed simultaneously on three projectors and (ii) digital displayed consecutively
Labelling: as for Internal League Competition with spot marked (i) slides L-C-R and (ii) digital 1-2-3
Judging: at the competition by club members. Each member selects his/her choice of best three panels in order, awarding first (5 points), second (3 points) and third (1 point)
Awards: trophy to overall winner, i.e. with most points.

Photo Safari Competition for slides and digital images

Competition date: mid October
Closing date: three weeks prior to competition
Classes: open slides and open digital images
Categories: open subject matter, each panel on a single theme
Number of images per member: maximum 2 panels of 5 images displayed consecutively
Presentation: as for Internal League Competition but slides may be plastic/card mounted
Labelling: as for Internal League Competition, marked 1-5 in showing order
Judging: as for Internal League Competition
Awards: judge to select winner (with trophy), runner-up and third place

Annual Exhibition for prints, slides and digital images

Competition date(s): first week of July
Closing date: early May
Classes: open prints, enprints, open slides and open digital images
Categories: landscape, nature, pictorial, portrait (prints only) and record
Rules relating to images:
1. image may not be submitted both as print and slide and to be entered in single category only (pictorial if in doubt)
2. nature and record images to be true record, without manipulation and excluding cultivated plant, still life, domestic animal or mounted specimen
3. duplication from previous Annual Exhibition not allowed
4. age of image: maximum 5 years prior to closing date for entries
Number of images per member: maximum 6 per open class or 2 enprint panels of 3 images on a theme
Presentation: as for Internal League Competition
Labelling: as for Internal League Competition except (i) slides to show category on front (ii) class not required
Judging: entirely in advance by club's selected Exhibition Judge
Awards: various trophies (6 for open prints, 5 for open slides and 1 for enprints) plus Highly Commended Certificates at judge's discretion