Rules for Submitting Digital Slides for Competitions
--All Categories 2008-2009—
1. Entries in the Digital Pictorial Slide contest can include any subject material but must conform to the conditions specified in What is Pictorial Photography?.
2. Entries in the Digital Nature Slide contest should conform to the conditions stated in What is Nature Photography
3. Entries in the Digital Contemporary/Creative contest should conform to the conditions stated in What is Contemporary/Creative Photography?.
4. Image Format -- Image files must be in jpg file format. Save jpg file using sRGB color space standard is recommended for consistent color under the projection conditions used for judging the contest. No logo or copyright is to appear on the image for judging. Copyrights may be included in the file metadata.
5. Image Size – The longest side is to be no more than 1024 pixels. Please keep the file size to no more than 500 KB.
6. Naming Image Files – Example: 01,DA028,DP,Beautiful Sunset.jpg Following this naming convention is vital as this information takes the place of any further entry forms:
01, = to be used on all entries. It may be changed later and used to sequence the judging. The N4C Contact of the entrant’s camera club will use this number to sequentially number the filenames being submitted – normally from 01 up to 08
CE028, = entrant’s personal N4C Member Number. : (CE is the “Club Code” designation of the entrant’s camera club – See the section on “N4C Member Numbers”
028, = entrant’s personal ID Number within their club assigned by the entrant’s camera club. Get a personal ID Number from the N4C Contact of the entrant’s camera club)
DP, = the Digital Pictorial contest category DN, = the Digital Nature contest category
DC, =Digital Contemporary/Creative contest category
Beautiful Sunset = the entrant’s title for the image.
jpg = the file extension indicating the format of the file (.jpg)
Commas are used to populate the electronic record keeping system for tracking
and judging..
7. Entrants are to submit their digital image entries (jpg files) to their own club N4C Contact who is responsible for the N4C Digital Contests. The N4C Contact will consolidate all the entries from their club and forward them to the month’s Digital Contest judging club.
What is Pictorial Photography?
In pictorial photography we are concerned with the artistic quality of the presentation of the subject rather than with the subject itself. Literally, all subjects qualify, but since “Interest” accounts for one-third of the score, subjects that catch the viewer’s eye will have an advantage. The judges will be seeking answers to the question, “Did the photographer simply record the subject, or did he/she through the photographic process enhance the viewer’s interest in the subject?” Pictorialism may be accomplished by meticulous photographic technique, proper presentation, careful composition, or most likely all of these factors.
What is Nature Photography?
No photograph is worth the distress or injury to any wild creature.
Nature photography is simply the recording of our natural world by some photographic means. Included are all branches of nature except Archeology and Anthropology.
The hand of man shall not be present in any nature entry except where wild birds or animals have invaded mans world such as fence posts and other man made objects freely adapted for use by wild creatures.
Banding or tagging on nature subjects is acceptable. Photographs at bird feeders are not acceptable if any part of a man made feeder is shown in the photograph.
Photographs taken in zoos, animal farms or game farms are acceptable as long as the setting remains natural and the hand of man is not visible.
Cultivated plants, domestic animals and pets are not acceptable and should be entered in other categories.
Nature photography is intended to convey the sense of the natural world, absent any evidence of the presence of, or interference by the human element. To what extent human influence may be present in the photograph is highly controversial. One rule states that “When nature invades the realm of man and you depict this coexistence, the picture is acceptable.” This is not clearly defined however, and some judges will disqualify entries that show even the slightest evidence of man’s presence. By that philosophy there is no such thing as a nature photograph, since the photograph itself is the product of the hand of man. So it becomes a matter of acceptance and how well you can conceal the human element. Zoo animals are accepted if the setting is natural and there is no depiction of the cage or bars. Domestic animals and plants are generally rejected even though they may be encountered in the wild. You could probably succeed with a picture of a pet snake or lizard, but not a dog or cat. The best advice is to stick with strictly natural subjects. Pushing the limits will not win you many prizes. At the last word, photographs are still acceptable if they aren’t “manipulated.” Whether or not that excludes the use of filters is debatable.
What is Contemporary/Creative Photography?
Contemporary/Creative photography is an opportunity for those who dare to explore the experimental and creative forms of photographic expression. These will include, but not be limited to derived images, ultra-high contrast, black light, bas-relief, solarization, multi-images, trick lenses and filters, and other ways to alter the image to produce a new abstract effect. Just about anything goes. The important thing is the result, not the means to create it. This area of photography bridges between photographic realism and creative art. It is very difficult to judge and there are literally no rules to follow. Generally concentration on form and color rather than detail in the image will help you succeed.