Competition Rules

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

Rules and procedures common to all competitions unless otherwise stated

Classification of members:

  1. 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.
  2. Advanced class: members of proven ability.
  3. Intermediate class: members possessing a standard below that expected of the advanced class.
  4. Standard class: members not entering the standard or advanced class.
  5. A member may apply for upgrading or downgrading at any time.

Presentation and labelling:

  1. Prints:
    Presentation: (i) any size image (ii) mount size max 40 x 50 cm overall.
    Labelling: on back - title, author and class.
  2. Digital:
    Presentation: (i) JPEG files (ii) max width 1400 pixels, max height 1050 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 - "Author Name_Title.jpg".

Rules relating to images:

  1. 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.
  2. If an image is required to be monochrome it shall be in shades or different tints of one colour.
  3. Images may be trade or home processed.
  4. If images are not marked as required (see Internal League and Panel Competitions, the competition secretary may choose the image not to be counted or disqualify the entry.
  5. If the competition secretary's decision is not acceptable to the member he/she shall be allowed to appeal to the Committee.

Internal League Competition for prints and digital images

  • Competition date(s): five rounds during 12 calendar months period, ie: from 1 January.
  • 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: Advanced, Intermediate and Standard.
  • Categories: open subject matter unless otherwise specified, e.g. "set subject" or "monochrome only".
  • Number of images per member in each round: (i) prints - 2 in Advanced, 3 in Intermediate / Standard (ii) digital - 2 in all classes.
  • 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 (but see "Awards" paragraph below).
  • 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 to judging and the judge to award each image points out of 10, including half points.
  • Awards: 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, the lowest scoring image being excluded unless two are the same in which case the member may choose which to make available for another 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 and digital images

  • Competition date: early January.
  • Closing date: one week prior to competition.
  • Classes: open, i.e. no separate classes.
  • 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 digital.
  • 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. The judge to comment on each image but not to award points.
  • Awards: judge to select winner, runner-up and third place in (i) prints and (ii) digital.

Outings Competition for prints and digital images

  • Competition date: early in year.
  • Closing date: one prior to competition.
  • Classes: open, i.e. no separate classes.
  • Categories: images taken at club outings in previous year.
  • Club outings: images can only be submitted from properly organised club outings. An organised club outing would provide at least two weeks' notice by any means to all club members including at club meetings.
  • Number of images per member: maximum (i) 2 prints (ii) 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.
  • Judging: at the competition by club members. Each member selects his/her choice of best three images in order, awarding points for first, second and third.
  • Awards: trophies to overall winners, i.e. with most points, of (i) prints and (ii) digital images.

Irene Foster Rosebowl for prints

  • Competition date: late April, in conjunction with Saguaro Trophy for 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.
  • 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, second and third.
  • Awards: trophy to overall winner, i.e. with most points.

Saguaro Trophy for 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 digital images displayed consecutively.
  • Labelling: as for Internal League Competition identified 1-2-3.
  • Judging: at the competition by club members. Each member selects his/her choice of best three panels in order, awarding first, second and third.
  • Awards: trophy to overall winner, i.e. with most points.

Photo Safari Competition for digital images

  • Competition date: mid October.
  • Closing date: three weeks 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 5 images displayed consecutively.
  • Presentation: as for Internal League Competition.
  • Labelling: as for Internal League Competition, marked 1-5 in showing order.
  • 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. The judge to comment on each image but not to award points.
  • Awards: judge to select winner (with trophy), runner-up and third place.

Annual Exhibition for prints and digital images

  • Competition date(s): first week of July.
  • Closing date: early May.
  • Classes: open, i.e. no separate classes.
  • Categories: landscape, nature, pictorial, portrait and record.
  • Rules relating to images:
    1. image may not be submitted both as print and digital 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.
  • Presentation: as for Internal League Competition.
  • Labelling: as for Internal League Competition.
  • Judging: in advance by club's selected Exhibition Judge.
  • Awards: various trophies plus Highly Commended Certificates at judge's discretion.