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Annual Competition Rules    Landscape  Nature   Monochrome
 
 Landscape Competition information
1    The landscape depicted should be 'an extensive area of natural scenery within the British Isles'. British Isles is primarily a geographic term, and thus includes the whole of Ireland together with the many smaller islands around the coast. Following Wikipedia's classification, the Channel Islands are also included, by tradition, although they are not strictly part of the British archipelago
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2   The title of the entry must include an indication of the location of the landscape sufficient to confirm eligibility under the above definition.

3   The emphasis is on Natural Scenery, although for these purposes, reservoirs and artificial lakes, managed woodland, ploughed/cultivated fields etc. are included within the term Natural. Man-made/built structures such as landmark buildings, monuments etc. are also acceptable provided they are depicted within their natural setting. Such structures should not be the main subject of the image.

4   Digital adjustments to selectively lighten or darken areas of the picture, change contrast and colour saturation, change colour balance, together with High Dynamic Range (HDR) processing are allowed. Stitching together multiple pictures to create a panorama is also allowed.

5   The essential integrity of the scene must be maintained, and the making of physical changes to the landscape by digital means is prohibited. It must be possible to go to the location and see the scene exactly as it appears. Thus trees, fences, telegraph poles and other permanent structures must not be removed or added. Additionally it is not permitted to use a sky from another picture/location.

6   It is however legitimate to remove 'transient' elements of human origin from the scene, notably people, vehicles, boats, aircraft and vapour trails, since this does not detract from the principle of being able to go to the location to see the scene exactly as it appears.

Endorsed by the DCC Landscape Group, Adopted 10 May 2011

Note - Entries will be subject to scrutiny by the Competition Secretary and two other well informed people to determine their eligibility under the above definitions. Members will be informed if an entry cannot be accepted and given the opportunity to substitute where possible.
Nature Competition information

a) The John Sowman Memorial Trophy will be awarded annually for the best print of a nature subject. Each member may submit up to 2 prints of any size or process.

b) The Bowker Praed Shield will be awarded each year for the best projected image of a nature subject. Each member may submit up to 2 images.

Note 1 - The FIAP definition of Nature will be used: ‘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. Photographs of animals which are domesticated, caged or under any form of restraint, as well as photographs of 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. 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. After satisfying the above requirements, every effort should be made to use the highest level of artistic skill in all nature photographs’.

Note 2 - Accurate, brief, descriptive titles are recommended for nature photographs. In both of the above Nature Competitions the use of ‘humorous’ or ‘cute’ titles should be avoided.

Note 3 - Entries should allow for a well informed person to be able to identify the subject material and to certify as to its honest presentation.

Note 4 - Entries will be subject to scrutiny by the Competition Secretary and two other well informed people to determine their eligibility under the above definitions. Members will be informed if an entry cannot be accepted and given the opportunity to substitute where possible.
Monochrome Competition information

The Pencil of Nature Camera Trophy donated by Syd Holley, will be awarded annually for the best monochrome print on any subject. Each member may submit up to 2 prints.

Note - The FIAP definition of Monochrome will be used: ‘A black and white work fitting from the very dark grey (black) to the very clear grey (white) is a monochrome work with the various shades of grey. 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 under FIAP Patronage. On the other hand a black and white work modified by a 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’