Penryn Camera Club COMPETITION RULES
1. GENERAL
This page was last updated Sept 2024.
1.1 ELIGIBILITY
Only formal members may enter PCC Competitions and entry into any competition is wholly conditional upon the acceptance of the current Competition Rules and the PCC Committee’s decision on all matters relating to entries.
No member may enter any competition unless any membership or entry fees currently due have been paid.
1.2 ORIGINATION
In all cases, the original image(s) must have been taken using a photographic process and be the sole copyright of the Entrant. All photographic processes and techniques are eligible (subject to any competition-specific rules that may apply) providing that the photographer owns the copyright to all elements of the picture.
Any modification of the original image(s) must be made by the photographer or under their personal direction.
1.3 SUBMISSIONS
1.3.1 It is preferable for members to enter new work where possible, however older work may be submitted, providing it has NOT previously been entered in Penryn Club competitions.
1.3.2 A previously submitted competition DPI or Print image, having been subsequently edited, may only be re-entered within the Image Of The Year competition.
1.3.3 PCC wish to encourage both photographers who: a) Wish to edit images and also those who b)Do NOT want to edit their work. The exception to this rule is for the Image Of The Year competition (see para 2.5) NB If submitting images to represent the club in other external competitions e.g. CPA, please ensure they have not been previously used in those competitions.
In support of that aim and when entering competitions, members are required to enter their Prints in the Para 1.6 section and digital images in EITHER the Para 1.7 DPI section OR in the un-edited Para 1.8 Off Camera section.
1.3.4 New members who join may NOT use any image already used in their prior camera club’s internal or external competitions.
1.4 USE OF SOFTWARE
As stated in our Constitution, the club wish to encourage the art and craft of photography and hence totally support the PAGB rule interpretations. For simplification, the typical use of a “one-button” press to produce an image which could not be easily replicated manually is NOT allowed. If in any doubt please consult the Competition Secretary.
The use of clip-art, computer generated elements, downloaded textures, third-party decorative borders, or elements from any other photographer's images are not permitted. Images or image elements generated by any software tool are not permitted.
This includes but is not restricted to backgrounds, textures, skies, props and other embellishments. Any creative, shaped or textured brushes must be created by the photographer.
Software tools that replace or remove an image element or extend an image such as content-aware fill, healing, patching or object removal are only permitted where the source for the inserted image data is wholly contained within the base image(s). It is the photographer’s responsibility to ensure that the tools they use do not draw image content from outside the photographer’s own work.
Guidance on the use of image creation and processing tools (sometimes labelled as “AI”)
Generative AI is not photographic and is therefore not permitted. Generative AI draws on data from outside the existing image and uses algorithms to create new content. AI-based generative fill, scene extension, patching or object removal is not permitted. Any adjustments must use tools that draw data only from within the existing image(s)
Technology that enhances an existing image without drawing on image data from outside that image (e.g., AI De-noise, AI Scaling, AI Sharpening) is acceptable. In general, the output image viewed at full-screen should look nearly identical to the original.
1.5 DEFINITIONS
The PCC adheres to the definitions authorised by the WCPF and PAGB. The following definitions apply to all PCC competitions where the category has been applied.
1.5.1 Monochrome Eligibility (PAGB May 2020) An image in tones of neutral grey ranging from transparent/white to opaque/black. An image in a single colour:
• A print using a chemical process such as sepia, cyanotype, etc.
• A digitally produced image ‘colourized’ in a single hue.
1.5.2 Nature Eligibility (PAGB May 2020)
Nature means Images where living organisms are the primary subject matter. The story telling value of an Image will normally be weighed more than the pictorial quality.
Nature includes:
• Images taken with subjects in controlled conditions such as zoos, game parks, botanic gardens, aquariums and enclosures where the subjects are dependent on man for food. Scientific bands, tags or collars are permissible.
Nature excludes:
• Images where the subjects are obviously domestic animals or plants.
o (NB Farm animals such as sheep and cattle are considered “domestic”)
• Images where an obviously artistic treatment has been applied.
Processing of the captured image, by cropping, exposure adjustment, colour correction, noise minimisation, dodging/burning, HDR, focus stacking and sharpening, is permitted, as is cloning of image defects and minor distractions including overlapping elements.
An Image appearing to meet these criteria will be accepted as Nature. The Judges will normally assume that any Image presented to them is eligible.
Access to some biological subjects may be restricted. Where that is relevant, then Photographers warrant that they have followed relevant codes of practices and hold any necessary licenses.
1.5.3 Wildlife Definition
Images entered in Wildlife sections are further defined as one or more extant zoological or botanical organisms free and unrestrained in a natural or adopted habitat. Landscapes, geologic formations, photographs of zoo or game farm animals, or of any extant zoological or botanical species taken under controlled conditions are not eligible in Wildlife sections. Wildlife is not limited to animals, birds and insects. Marine subjects and botanical subjects (including fungi and algae) taken in the wild are suitable wildlife subjects, as are carcasses of extant species. Wildlife images may be entered in Nature sections.
1.6 PRINTS
Prints must be 7in x 5in or larger and must be mounted.
Mount size to be 400mm x 500mm and no more than 5mm thick. Window mounts are preferred for submission, however flush mounted with a protective tissue cover in order to prevent damage to other prints in transit are acceptable.
No entrant information is to be shown on the face of the mount.
All prints must be labelled appropriately, as advised by the Competition Secretary at the start of the Season in the top right hand corner as viewed from the back of the mount.
No Velcro or clips to be left on the reverse side of the mount.
Members will also be required to upload a digital copy of the print for display purposes compliant with para 1.7 below.
1.7 DIGITALLY PROJECTED IMAGES (DPI)
Digitally Projected Images may be either true digital images from a digital camera OR may be digitally scanned from a slide. Images must be .jpg files with a maximum size of 1600 px wide and 1200 px high, so portrait aspect ratio or square images should be no more than 1200px high.
For absolute clarity - landscape aspect ratio images, sizes must be 1600 px maximum wide x 1200 px maximum high. For Portrait and Square aspect ratio, the maximum size allowed is 1200 px high.
1.8 OFF-CAMERA IMAGES
Direct off Camera Images are as stated, taken directly from the camera.
The only manipulation allowed is a minor straighten and crop (similar to repositioning and masking of a slide photograph) plus a resize complying with section 1.7 above. There must be no other software manipulation other than software within the camera body. Monochrome category entries MUST be created as monochrome IN-Camera.
1.9 HAND-IN
• All “hand-In” entries are to be made using the PhotoEntry software using this link https://photoentry.uk/information/welcome.html
Members who have not yet used the system should apply to our PCC Competition Secretary/Administrator, who will set up the member’s name and contact details on the system. The new applicant will then receive an email from PhotoEntry requesting them to log in and set a password - the system is then live for the member to enter images in line with the current competition categories as shown.
• It is accepted that NOT all members have the facilities to enable them to use the PhotoEntry system and where this is the case entries may be submitted to the Competition Secretary in an agreed format, who will upload the work to the PhotoEntry system on their behalf.
• All work offered for competitions must be entered by the designated date.
1.10 RECURRING ENTRIES
Notwithstanding any other rule, no print or digital image may be entered more than ONCE. The only exceptions allowed are the previously judged and edited and/or self- selected entries for the current Image of the Year Competition as per para 1.3.2.
2 PENRYN CAMERA CLUB-SPECIFIC COMPETITION RULES
2.1 PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Prints, Digital Projected Images (DPIs) and Off Camera images may be monochrome or colour and entered following the guidelines given by the Competition Secretary at the beginning of the season. The Judge will indicate the overall winning image selected from the work entered.
2.2 KEN MAYNARD AWARD
Entries may be monochrome or colour and entered following the guidelines given by the Competition Secretary at the beginning of the season. The Judge will indicate the overall winning image selected from the submitted Prints, DPIs and Off Camera.
The subject is Nature or Wildlife as defined in Paras 1.5.2 and 1.5.3 above, domestic animals and people are NOT allowed.
2.3 KEN FARNELL SERIES
There are different categories to enter as detailed by the Competition Secretary at the beginning of the season. Each entrant’s scores for each category through the season are aggregated with the winner being the one with the highest aggregate score. The categories may change from year to year and are decided by the Committee.
Categories available for entry will be provided by the Competition Secretary at the start of the season.
The awards will be made for:
1. Prints – total scores for KF1 / KF2 / KF3
2. DPIs – total scores for KF1 / KF2 / KF3
3. Off Camera – total scores for KF1 / KF2 / KF3
2.4 KEN FARNELL INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
In addition to the KF series Award, additional awards are made for each separate Class and Category for each individual KF competition. E.g.
1. KF1 / KF2 / KF3 Print
2. KF1/KF2/KF3–DPI
3. KF1/KF2/KF3–OffCamera
Categories available for entry such as Open or Set subject TBA will be provided by the Competition Secretary at the start of the season.
2.5 IMAGE OF THE YEAR COMPETITON
Any image entered including Print, DPI and Off-Camera may have been previously entered for competitions (Sections 2.1 to 2.4 above) in the current season.
Additionally, members may submit DPIs or Prints not previously seen, provided that they comply with the published categories for that current season. However, in order to enter previously unseen work, the member MUST have entered at least THREE images in the current competition season.
• Prints or DPIs may be edited as per para 1.3.2
2.6 DENNIS WATSON TANKARD
The winner will be the member with the highest cumulative total of all marks awarded to all their entries within the current season’s competitions. Therefore, this award is more favourable to members who have: Supported the current competition programme. Have gained good scores in the various competitions.
2.7 EXTERNAL COMPETITIONS
Any season’s work may be submitted to the Competition Committee for consideration to represent the club in any external Inter-Club, CPA or WCPF Competitions. The image must NOT have been previously used in any CPA annual competitions.
The Competition Committee have the final decision regarding selection of entries submitted.