The Societies' Monthly Image Competition Category Definitions 2013

The Societies Monthly Image Competition Category Definitions

For some time now there has been much confusion with the monthly online image competition as to what types of images are most appropriate for entry into each category. Let us hope that these new guidelines go some way to relieving some of that confusion.

Before I begin let me make a few important points. Photography has developed a vocabulary all of its own particularly when it comes to defining a genre or style of work. I am not prepared to enter in lengthy and pointless debates as to what constitutes what. Rather, it is more expeditious to set out a framework of guidelines and work to it.

Plug-ins, filters and effects are NOT to be considered as inappropriate and their sympathetic use is to be encouraged and applauded (I can hear the so called purists screaming now!). The enhancement of images is nothing new and in the time of film much was done in the darkroom using various techniques in pursuit of excellent images. And before that? Our predecessors in the world of art were constantly working their paintings to achieve the goal of perfection. A craftsman who puts out an image that fails to flatter his subject is simply not doing justice to him or herself and their client. Therefore experiment, enhance but try not to overdo it!

So let us begin…

Category Criteria

Advertising and Commercial
Images need to be of a specific commercial and advertising nature. Commissioned work only in this category, this includes product photography, industrial photography and aerial photography.

Architectural
Images need to be commercial architecture images, photographed in a way that says as much as possible about the design and feel of a structure. The judges want to see strong, dynamic images of architecture or architectural details.

Baby
Images must be commissioned portraits of babies up to the age of 1 year. Parents should not be included in baby images, unless being used as a prop. Family portraits should be entered into the Portrait categories. Judges are looking for good lighting, expressions and backgrounds.

Boudoir and Beauty
This category can contain any boudoir or portrait images that enhance the subject’s beauty and elegance. The judges are looking for appropriate posing, lighting and mood. Models are permitted in this category.

Children
Images must be commissioned portraits of children from the age of 1 year to 16 years. As above judges are looking for correct lighting, expressions and background. No wedding images permitted.

Digital Art
The key word in this category is Art, this includes any image which has been altered to a fair extent by digital manipulation and is saleable to a wide variety of clients.

Events
This is quite an open category, any photograph taken at an ‘Event’ can be entered. The judges want to see images that show the essence of the event and images which make you think ‘I wish I’d been there’.

Fashion
Images entered into this category can show clothing, jewellery, makeup, accessories, hair or any other specific fashion item. Models wearing bridal gowns should be entered into this category instead of the Wedding categories.

Landscapes
This category should include images of our beautiful world! Natural lighting, nice tonal range and composition are important. Cityscapes and Seascapes are also permitted in this category.

Macro and Close-up
Images entered in to this category must be either close up or macro and can contain any subject matter. Judges are looking for a sharp focal point, good composition and lighting.

Maternity
Images must be commissioned portraits of pregnant women. Family portraits should be entered into the Portrait categories. Judges are looking for good lighting, expressions and backgrounds.

Media
Commissioned work of news images can be entered into this category as well as publicity shots. Judges are looking for composition and the ability to tell a story in a frozen moment of time.

Monochrome
Images entered into this category must be either black or white OR coloured in one single tonal range, for example sepia images are permitted. There are no subject restraints, ANY subject and style as long as it’s monochromatic.

Nature
Any images taken which includes nature as the main point of focus should be entered into this category. This includes flowers or plants.

Open Avant Garde
Images entered into this category should be experimental or innovative, pushing the boundaries of what is expected to be the norm. Images can be of any genre and do not have to be from commissioned sessions.

Pet Portrait
Images entered into this category must be portraits of any animal considered to be a pet by its owner. Judges are looking for images to display the best features and personalities of the animals. Images do not have to be from commissioned sessions.

Pictorial and Fine Art
Images entered into this category must be artistic and meaningful. Judges are looking for images that appeal to a wide variety of people and would place nicely as a display.

Portrait Avant Garde
As with the Open Avant Garde category judges are looking for experimental or innovative images that make you think ‘Outside the Box’

Portrait Environmental
Images must be taken outside of a studio setting. This can include people in their homes, their work environment or simply outdoors. Judges are looking for good lighting control, expression and posing.

Portrait Studio
Images entered can be either contemporary or traditional portraits taken in a studio setting. This category can also incorporate family portraits. Judges are looking for good lighting, posing and expression.

Pre and Post Wedding
This category is for images NOT taken on the day the register was signed. This ranges from engagement images, pre or post bridal shoots including trash the dress or post honeymoon shoots. This category should still focus on the ‘Wedding’ as a theme and is not a category for posting any images taken of clients ‘whose wedding you once shot’. Images must be from commissioned shoots.

Sport
Images entered in this category must have been taken at a sporting event. Judges are looking for a perfectly captured moment. Depth of field is important and images must have a dynamic action feel. Portraits of athletes must be entered into the Portrait categories.

Travel
With the whole world to photograph this is a very wide ranging category. Many different types of images can be entered including press images or any image showing the culture or environment of an area.

Wedding Avant Garde
Images entered into this category must be from commissioned weddings where the entrant was the principle professional photographer and must have been taken on the day the register was signed. The judges are looking for images that are innovative and modern either with input from the photographer or in a photojournalistic style.

Wedding Photojournalistic
Images entered into this category must be from commissioned weddings where the entrant was the principle professional photographer and must have been taken on the day the register was signed. The judges are looking for good narrative with strong composition and lighting that is taken in a photojournalistic style.

Wedding Traditional
Images entered into this category must be from commissioned weddings where the entrant was the principle professional photographer and must have been taken on the day the register was signed. The judges are looking for traditional lighting and posing with input from the photographer.

Wildlife
Any images taken which includes wildlife as the main point of focus should be entered into this category. This includes wild animals. Images taken of captive animals will be disqualified.

The Mario Acerboni 4-in-1 (Wedding)
In this new category, we are inviting wedding images comprising 4 in 1. The images must be innovative and represent the story of the day. Arrange the four images, as you prefer on one 2000x2000 pixel image template. Creativity in presentation is also welcome and as with all other categories remember to name the jpg correctly prior to uploading.

The Societies Monthly Image Competition Guidelines and Rules

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