BRISTOL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

Club Competitions and Rules

Introduction

This document gives the rules and additional guidelines for the internal competitions of Bristol Photographic Society. A summary of these rules will be included in the Society’s handbook.

Original Source and Ownership

a)      Entries must originate as photographs (image-captures of objects via light sensitivity) made by the entrant on photographic emulsion, or acquired digitally.

b)      Each photographer must own the copyright of all elements of the image – Clip Art, Copyright Free material and Fractals are NOT acceptable.

Classes for Competitions

a)      New entrants make their own decision concerning the level at which they should enter the Competitions. The inclusion of Beginner and Intermediate Classes is to encourage the less experienced members to enter the competitions and to work to improve their standard of photography. Members may operate at different grades for prints and projected images.

b)      The 3 Classes are as follows:

            Beginner: A person who has little experience in photography.

            Intermediate: At this level the member will have had some experience at competition photography.

            Advanced: An Advanced worker will normally have had considerable experience of competition, exhibition or commercial work.

c)      A competitor, having entered a competition as a Beginner or Intermediate may, if he/she wishes, enter the next competition or round in a higher class. Having voluntarily moved to a higher class, the competitor will forfeit any points gained, or entitlement to any award previously anticipated. It is hoped that movement between classes will be undertaken voluntarily, either at the end of the competition season, or at any time as outlined above. However, at the end of the season the Competition Secretaries, with the agreement of the Council, may request certain members to enter in a higher class where it is believed that this is desirable in order to ensure fair competition.

Rules

a)      All work must bear the Photographer’s name and title or some other form of identification.

b)      Prints, and digital images having been once submitted in a competition will not be accepted a second time in the same competition, either in following rounds or following years.

c)       Photographers entering as Beginners or Intermediates must indicate so, on each print or digital image (see image naming guides).

d)      Trade processed prints can be submitted.

e)      All prints must be mounted, the maximum size of mount being 50cm x 40cm (19.6” x 15.75”)

Trophies, Certificates and Awards

a)      4 trophies will be given, for best Print and Projected Image in the Annual competitions, the Garmston Bowl and the President’s Cup.

b)      Certificates to be awarded in all other cases.

c)       The normal awards for each bi-monthly to continue with a Certificate being given to the overall winner in each of the 3 Classes over the 4 rounds.

General

a)      Awards will be given for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd places + Highly Commended (HC).

b)      Names and titles to be read out – these must be clearly legible on prints.

c)      When an entry in a class is small, awards will be given as follows

• 3 or less images - 1st place only
• 4 to 6 images - 1^st and 2^nd places only
• 7 images or more - 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd places + HCs as appropriate.

d)      From September 2009, slides will not be accepted in the Projected Image Competitions.  

e)      All awards (Cups, Certificates etc.) to be presented on the night of the competition.

f)       All competition results will be posted on the web-site and on the notice board within seven days. 

g)      Competition closing dates will only be changed with Council agreement.

Bi-Monthly Competitions (Prints and Projected Image)

a)      These consist of 4 rounds with points being awarded to the winning entries in each round. Each entrant may enter a maximum of 3 images in each round. Points will be awarded for HC and above, the points being 4 for 1^st place, 3 for 2^nd, 2 for 3^rd and 1 for each HC.

b)      Certificates will be awarded for each of the 3 grades (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced) to the award winners in each round and the holders of the highest number of points at the end of the four rounds.

c)      An image that has been entered in the print Bi-Monthly may not be entered as a projected image in the same competition year and also vice versa.

Annual Competitions (Prints and Projected Images)

a)      A total limit of 180 images/prints for each Annual Competition with a maximum entry of up to 7 images for Advanced, 5 for Intermediate and 4 for Beginners.

b)      Entrants to number their images from 1 upwards.

c)       If the entry exceeds 180, the highest numbered images/prints would be removed (eg number 7 for Advanced, number 5 for Intermediate and number 4 for Beginners).

d)      The normal awards (1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd places + HC’s) in each of the 3 classes (Beginners, Intermediates and Advanced) will be given.

e)      The judge to be asked to select the best image/print from the whole entry (ie all Advanced, Intermediate and Beginners entries) in each of the following categories:- Natural History, Creative, Action, People and Travel (and Monochrome for prints only). (note: an image/print can only receive one of these awards, e.g. an image/print showing people from another country cannot be given both the people and travel awards). Certificates will be given to the winners of these categories.

f)       Judges to be asked to select the best image from the whole entry for which a trophy will be awarded. This image could also receive a category award.

g)      Definitions of Categories to be published in Programme Booklet (and on the Website in the Members area) and sent to the Judges in advance. 

Garmston Bowl

This is open to all members and is for a set of 5 related prints on any subject.

President’s Cup

a)      This for a set of 3 related digital images on any subject.

b)      The intention of the Competition is to encourage the less experienced club members and    excludes those members with FRPS and EFIAP qualifications.

c)       Previous winners will be able to enter.

Technical Requirements for Digital Images

a)      Digital images can be submitted via e-mail to competitions@bristolphoto.org.uk or on CD with the entrant’s name printed on both the CD and CD sleeve.

b)      The files must be in JPEG format.

c)       Images will be projected in a landscape format of 1400 pixels by 1050 pixels.   Portrait images should be no larger than 1050 pixels high. These sizes are to include any border. (Note: this is the standard of the present club digital projector)

d)      Image files must be named using a Class Code, then a 2 digit number followed by 2 or 3 letters representing the entrant’s initials, followed by a hyphen (or underscore) and then a short title e.g. X01AB-landscape.jpg

Image sizing information click HERE

Class codes are:

For Bi-Monthly competitions

W – Beginners

X – Intermediate

Z – Advanced

For example

Beginners:-

       W01JH-Ugly Water Buffalo   (Not:  W01JH-Ugly-Water-Buffalo)

Intermediate:-        

       X01JH-Ugly Water Buffalo

Advanced:-        

       Z01JH-Ugly Water Buffalo

For Annual Projected Image Competition

As Bi-Monthly with the addition of:

Y - Nature      

DEFINITIONS

CREATIVE: this is defined as altered reality.

TRAVEL or PHOTO TRAVEL:

a)      Pictures must express the feeling of a time or place; portray a land, its people, or a culture in its natural state. There are no geographical limitations. Ultra close‑ups that lose their identity, studio type model shots or photographic manipulations that misrepresent the true situation or alter the content of the image are unacceptable. (Taken from Salon entry form)

b)      No elements may be moved, cloned, added, deleted, rearranged or combined. No manipulation or modification is permitted except resizing, sharpening, cropping, selective lightening or darkening, and restoration of original colour of the scene. No special effect filters can be applied. Any adjustments must appear natural.

ACTION: movement of living things or machines.

PEOPLE: includes portraits and figure studies.

NATURE (NATURAL HISTORY):

a)      Nature photography depicts living, untamed animals and uncultivated plants in a natural habitat, geology and the wide diversity of natural phenomena, from insects to icebergs.

b)      Photographs of animals which are domesticated, caged or under any form of restraint, as well as photographs of cultivated plants are ineligible.

c)       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.

d)      The original image must have been taken by the photographer, whatever photographic medium is used. Any manipulation or modification to the original image is limited to minor retouching of blemishes and must not alter the content of the original scene.

e)      After satisfying the above requirements, every effort should be made to use the highest level of artistic skill in al) nature photographs.   (FIAP INFO 2001/341 July 2001)

MONOCHROME:   Definition of black and white photography (monochrome)

a)      A black and white work going from the very dark grey (black) to very clear grey (white) is a monochrome work with various shades of grey.

b)      A black and white work toned entirely in a single colour will remain a monochrome work able to stand in the black and white category; such a work can be reproduced in black and white in the catalogue of a salon with FIAP Patronage.

c)       On the other hand a black and white work modified by partial toning or by the addition of one colour becomes a colour work (polychrome) to stand in the colour category; such a work requires colour reproduction in the catalogue of a salon under FIAP Patronage. (FIAP INFO 2003/383 F/E)