RA PHOTO CLUB –November, 2012 (Cancels and supersedes all earlier versions)

Clarifications to the Competitions Rules:

For Digital Slides:

There may not be any identification or watermark of any kind on the portion
of the digital slide to be shown to the judges.

For Film Slides:

There may not be any identification or watermark of any kind on the portion
of the film slide to be shown to the judges.

Film Slide and Prints:

Digital versions must be submitted for all film slides and prints.
The digital version must be of the image submitted, otherwise your submission will be disqualified.

1. ENTERING A COMPETITION

Competitors must be paid-up members of the RA Photo Club.

The total number of entries a member may submit, in a regular RA Photo Club competition is two (2);

Entries must be of the correct category - either assignment topic or general - as stated in the Topics and Dates page.

A choice of media is allowed (slides (including both digital and film slides submitted for projection), prints or a mix of slides and prints)

A slide or print entry submitted to the regular RA Photo Club competitions cannot be resubmitted unless it is drastically altered and becomes, in fact, a different photograph. Most alterations by cropping or minor digital manipulation do not qualify. Previously submitted entries may be used in the INTER-CLUB, TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT, HUMOUR or BRUCE WILSON competitions.

Award winning entries may be selected as club entries into Canadian Association for Photographic Art (CAPA) competitions.

The Competitions Committee Chair or delegate on the Competitions Committee shall be the final arbiter in questions of compliance with the rules.

2. CATEGORIES

General

Any photograph (slide or print) on any subject matter.

Assignment

Any photograph that appropriately fits the assignment topic. It is requested that an explanation be attached to a submission if there may be doubt that it would fit into the Assignment category. An example would be in the NATURE assignment: “This poinsettia is growing wild in Barbados”.

Each season there are four (4) assignment topics, two of which are: (a) NATURE which follows CAPA rules, as a photograph which does not show the hand of man, and (b) Faces and Figures.  Definitions for the four (4) topics are provided at the beginning of the club year and can be found on the Topics and Dates page.

3. SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES

All entries must be submitted via the Club Submissions website before 8 PM on the submission deadline date.

Digital versions must be submitted for all film slides and prints.

The digital version must be of the image submitted, otherwise your submission will be disqualified.

Digital slide submissions do not require paper submission forms.

Each film slide, or print, must be accompanied by a properly completed paper submission entry form (provided by the submissions system) indicating:

-Competitor’s name, competition level (Junior, Intermediate, Senior, Master).

-Competition division (film slide or print).

-Category in which the entry is to be judged (assignment or general).

-Title of entry (for identification only). Judges are not informed of titles.

Film Slide Entries

Must be in 2” x 2” mounts (standard size for 35 mm). 2 ¼” format slides may be submitted, however, the competitor must provide an appropriate projector at the time of the judging as well as at the club viewing of the competition.

Must have the TITLE of the image and the COMPETITOR’S NAME clearly written on the slide. As well, a PROJECTION SPOT (usually a black or coloured dot) must be placed on the lower left corner of the slide when holding for viewing.

There may not be any identification or watermark of any kind on the portion
of the film slide to be shown to the judges.

Entry forms should be wrapped around a slide box containing the slide entries and secured with an elastic band. Separate boxes for on-topic and general entries are preferred.

Digital Slide Entries

Each entry must be no larger than 1024 pixels on the longest side and saved in the sRGB colour space, maximum file size of 1.2MB. While images with fewer pixels will be accepted, your image will likely have a reduced impact if it is smaller than this. (Images saved in other colour spaces such as Adobe RGB may not display with the colours you expect.) The competitions committee will make every effort to check the calibration of the projector before each night’s image projections to ensure that the sRGB images are projected with the correct colour and with the whites and blacks visible.

The submissions system will verify that your image is within the 1024 pixel limit before accepting it. It is the responsibility of each member to verify that the submissions system is showing a thumbnail for all submitted images.

 If there is no thumbnail, your image has not been submitted and you must resend it!

There may not be any identification or watermark of any kind on the portion
of the digital slide to be shown to the judges.

Print Entries

Must be flat mounted on cardboard, foam core or other paper-based mount (with or without mat) of minimum overall size of 8” x 10” and maximum size of 20” x 24”. The minimum size of print that is accepted and that should be visible on a mat is normally 5” x 7”. Prints of 4” x 6” will not be accepted. Wood or other brittle or hard-edged materials and framed entries will be rejected automatically.

Must have COMPETITOR’S NAME and entry’s TITLE clearly written on the BACK of the print as well as the word TOP marked at the end of a directional arrow to ensure correct presentation of entry. There may not be any identification or mark of any kind on the front of the print/mat.

Competitors are not compelled to make their own prints, although to do so is encouraged. Prints made using chemicals (developers and fixers) in a traditional darkroom as well as digital prints from a computer are equally acceptable.

4. JUDGING

Prints will be judged separately from slides, colour and black and white being judged together, using a single standard for all levels (junior, intermediate, senior, master), which are presented to the judges intermingled. Images whether digitally produced or in a traditional darkroom will be judged together using a single standard.

On judging night, guidelines for judging will be read out loud, and quoted verbatim, from competition rules, before scoring begins.

Scoring guidelines are in Apendix A of this document.

If scores are tied in any of the levels, there will be multiple place winners. (Tie-breaking will take place only for Slide of the Night and Print of the Night).

Entries will be divided into two groups:  Slides and Prints - which will be judged separately. All entries within a group are previewed before judging them individually. Prints, illuminated by colour-corrected lights, will be displayed on an easel, set at an appropriate distance from the judges.  Digital slides will be projected with a calibrated projector on the viewing screen. Film slides will be projected on the viewing screen.

Club members must ensure that their entries are presented in the best possible condition for competition. Competition Committee members will take every reasonable measure to ensure that the entries are presented for judging in the condition in which they were received. Slides slipping in their mounts, excessively dusty/dirty or with scratches and prints with bubbles and/or ripples across the surface could be scored negatively by the judges as the presentation impacts adversely on the image.  If the judges feel that an image does not fit the assigned topic, the image may be disqualified - allowing the member to resubmit the image in another competition - or the image may be scored poorly due to low impact.

5. COMMENTS FROM JUDGES

At competitions, judges make decisions and assign scores. In addition, the Competitions Committee Chair asks the judges to make comments on some of the photographs, for the benefit of the respective photographers and other members. Making comments and doing it well and in a constructive manner is important and sufficient time must be allowed for the judges to comment rationally on the entries. It is hoped that at least one of the three judges can be present at a Tuesday competition evening, so that comments can be provided when the images are being displayed.

Depending on the total number of entries, there may not be enough time on judging night for judges to make comments on all images in the competition. Judges will be asked, however, to make comments on as many images as time permits. Selection of these entries for comments will be determined according to the total number of entries received. The comments will be recorded on the website entry forms and made available to members after club competition night.

On presentation night, judges will be asked to make comments on a different group of entries, other than those already commented on during the judging.  Judges will be asked, to make comments on as many images as time permits.

On judging night only, judges will be asked to explain any “serious technical and/or compositional flaws” in entries, selected for comments, that scored less than 5 points, and to suggest improvements that would increase the score.

In order to switch the focus from scores to comments during digital presentation of entries to members, scores will only be announced for images that have obtained 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and Honourable Mentions (H.M.) All the scores will be recorded on the website entry forms. Entries will be shown in a random order as is done during the judging. The award winners will be announced last.

6. COMPETITION AWARDS

For each competition, first place will be awarded to all entries with the highest scores for slide and print as long as the score is 21 points or more for Junior and Intermediate; 24 points or more for Senior; 26 points or more for Master.

Second place will only be awarded to entries with the next highest points, at each level, for slides and prints, if there is only one first place awarded. Similarly, third place will only be awarded to entries with the next highest points, at each level, for slides and prints, if there is only one second place awarded. In cases where two first places are awarded, the next highest score will be awarded third place.

Honourable Mentions (H.M.) will be awarded to all Junior level entries with a score of 21 points or more, which did not win first, second or third place awards. Honourable Mentions (H.M.) for levels other than Junior will be awarded only to those entries which score the next highest points directly below the third place score at their respective level and earn at least 21 points for Intermediate, 24 points for Senior, and 26 points for Master.

Slide of the Night and Print of the Night awards are given to the highest scoring entry as long as the score is 26 or more.  Judges will be asked to break a tie only for Slide and Print of the Night.

7. YEAR-END AWARDS 

Each club year, records are kept by the Club Competition Statistician of all entry scores for use in the determination of the year-end awards recipients. The awards are:

- Photographer of the Year Award

- Assignment Performance Awards*

- General Performance Awards*

*One each for Junior, Intermediate, Senior, Master levels, as applicable.

The PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR AWARD is presented to the member who achieves the highest total score for the best six entries (assignments and/or general) in slides and/or print competitions combined.

The ASSIGNMENT PERFORMANCE AWARDS are given to individuals at each competition level, obtaining the highest total of the best six scores (prints and slides) in the ASSIGNMENT category.

The GENERAL PERFORMANCE AWARDS are given to individuals, at each competition level, obtaining the highest total of the best six scores (prints and slides) in the GENERAL category.

Competitors who advance from one level to the next during the year will be considered for awards on the basis of their total scores for the year. Consideration will be initially at the more advanced level attained but, if unsuccessful, then at their previous lower level, provided the competitor had taken part in, at least, three out of the six competitions at the lower level. For example: a competitor who has advanced to intermediate during the year, but whose total score is insufficient to win the INTERMEDIATE LEVEL award, will be eligible to win the equivalent JUNIOR LEVEL award, provided the competitor had entered in at least three out of the six competitions at the Junior level.

A competitor can win only one RA Photo Club regular competition performance award in any one year.

8. ADVANCEMENT

New competitors have the choice of entering club competitions at either the Junior or the Intermediate level, but are encouraged to start at the Junior level, particularly if they have little or no previous photographic competition experience. A member who first chooses to register as an Intermediate competitor may decide, at any time, to go down to the Junior level, after advising the Competitions Committee Chair.

A competitor remains at his/her starting level until he/she advances to the next one by merit.

Junior level members require eight entries scoring 21 to 23 points, or three entries scoring 24 or more points to advance to the Intermediate level. In the latter instance of 24 or more points, these entries would also be credited toward the requirement to advance to the Senior level. Likewise in the case of scores of 26 or more points, these entries would be credited toward the requirement to advance to the Master level.

Intermediate members require nine entries with a score of 24 points to advance to the Senior level. Entries with a score of 26 points would also be credited toward the requirement to advance to the Master level.

Senior members require ten entries with a score of 26 or more points to be advanced to the rank of Master which is awarded once the member has given a presentation of his/her work to the RA Photo Club.

Senior and Master level members should be willing to be competition judges as and when requested. Experienced Intermediate level members may also be asked to judge.

The Club Competition Statistician will keep a record of advancement for each member and this record will continue with each year of renewal membership in the RA Photo Club.

9. NON-ADVANCEMENT COMPETITIONS

TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT COMPETITION

The winner of the top-rated slide or print in the TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT Christmas Party photo competition, which is judged in-club by the membership-at-large, is presented with the Donald McVey Memorial Book which he/she holds for one year. This competition does not count towards year-end awards nor does it count for advancement from one level to another.

HUMOUR COMPETITION

The winner of the top-rated slide or print in the HUMOUR Christmas Party photo competition, which is judged in-club by the membership-at-large, is presented with a book which he/she holds for one year. This competition does not count towards year-end awards nor does it count for advancement from one level to another.

BRUCE WILSON MEMORIAL COMPETITION

The competition is held in memory of the late Bruce Wilson, a Senior member of the Club and former Competitions Manager, who died in 1998.  Entries consist of five black and white prints which are related to each other in some way. The prints can be made in a traditional darkroom or can be digital prints. See Details are here The winner of the top-rated series of prints in the Bruce Wilson Memorial Competition will be awarded a plaque to be presented at the annual Christmas Banquet. This competition does not count towards year-end awards nor does it count for advancement from on level to another.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE OPEN HOUSE COMPETITION

The winner of the top-rated print in the People's Choice Print Competition held at the annual Open House, will be awarded a plaque to be presented at the annual Christmas Banquet. This competition does not count towards year-end awards nor does it count for advancement from on level to another.

OTTAWA-OUTAOUAIS INTER-CLUB COMPETITION

This annual competition gives RA Photo Club members the opportunity to compete with photographers from other clubs in the region.   Winners receive valuable prizes generously provided by local sponsors. This competition does not count towards year-end awards nor does it count for advancement from on level to another. This competition qualifies for CAPA rosette award.

Appendix A – Scoring Guidelines

Scores should follow these guidelines.

1,2,3	Extremely poor to poor, with serious faults
4,5	Fair, possibly minor faults
6,7	Good
8	Excellent
9,10	Exceptional

1, 2 and 3 should be rarely used. When assigning a score to an image, remember that one of the objectives of competition is to encourage the members who are competing and not to discourage their efforts. The score of an average image should be 6 or 7 out of 10.

There must be no discussion or comments made until all three judges have entered their scores.

During the scoring, judges will be informed immediately when there is a difference of 4, or more, points in any score. The Competitions Committee Chair will interrupt the scoring and ask the three judges to discuss the image among themselves, and to re-score the image. Scoring of the other images will then resume.

Advice to Judges

Respect for Photographers

If comments are to be made as part of the evaluation, those should be kept to a minimum, but in all cases these must be constructive. Many of you have had the experience of having your images criticized in a clumsy or insensitive manner. How did that make you feel? Whether the photograph is a less than excellent image by a very experienced photographer, or an attempt by a beginner, respect their efforts and try to understand and appreciate what they are trying to say.

Bias avoidance

Your personal feelings should not be part of your point scoring nor comments. It is not helpful to the photographer that you like the colour blue, hate spiders, don't see the point of abstracts or are offended by nudes.

Do not be too rigorous in applying the "rules." No ultimate authority dictated that moving objects must always have room in front of them in the frame, noses must never break the cheek line, eyes must always have a catch light and the horizon must never, never be dead centre. Use them as guidelines; remember, where would creativity be if everyone stayed within restrictive boundaries?

Educate

Call upon your experience and pass it on. Suggest a polarizer (or not), a tripod, fill flash, a reflector, colour correcting filter, cropping and so on where it might help the photographer produce a better image next time.

Encourage

Your enthusiasm and encouragement mean a lot. Spread it around. You don't have to praise to heaven for every image you see; but they all have some strengths or good points, and commenting on them will encourage the photographer and keep the session positive.