Watford Camera Club

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Competition Rules

Competition Introduction

Watford Camera Club run 3 regular competitions and 4 occasional competitions, as well as participating in external competitions.

This page will cover the internal competitions.

Regular Competitions

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Competition Description For
Free group (PDI only) Enter 2 images of any kind for critique only People who don’t want to compete in the league or people new to competitions
Competition league (Print and PDI) Enter 2 images of any kind for critique and a score People who want to compete in the league
Set Subject (Print and PDI) 1 image meeting the definition for the set subject Any club member who wants to stretch their photography

All images entered in the regular competitions will be eligible for external competitions

 

 

Occasional Competitions

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Competition Description For Can be entered in combination with:
Open (PDI only) Enter 2 images of any kind for critique only People who want feedback on how to improve an image before entering it in a regular competition Images can subsequently be entered in the competition league or set subject
Experimental (PDI Only) Enter 2 images of a highly experimental nature People who want to push their creative photography or post processing with imagery that may be too experimental for the Competition League Images can subsequently be entered in the Competition League or set subject
Triptych
(3 image panel Print and PDI)		 3 photographs combined into 1 panel Any club member who wants to stretch their photography Images can subsequently be entered in the Competition League or set subject

 

Competition League Rules

The following rules apply to both the Print and PDI competitions. Every competition must have rules. The following set of rules have been developed over many years to ensure a fair and open playing field for all members.

The rules have been designed with the following philosophy in mind.

The Rules:-

  • Should be inclusive and should allow all members to participate fairly based on their capabilities (3 league tables)
  • Shouldn’t exclude members who join after the start of the season or who cannot enter every competition (can be promoted or demoted with just 8 from 20 images)
  • MUST reward quality NOT quantity (league position based on your personal average not a total)
  • Should reward the members who do go the extra mile to enter all 10 images in a competition (can drop 1 or 2 scores depending on number of entries)

The following rules shall apply to all Watford Camera Club competitions: –

  • The originating photographic material must be the photographer’s own work, but post processing and/or printing/mounting may be done either by the photographer or a 3rd party
  • Recognisable images of minors will not be displayed on the camera club website, newsletter or any social media sites without evidence of a model release form.
  • Members may not enter competitions if their subscriptions are more than one month in arrears.
  • Set Subject entries must not have been taken prior to the date the Set Subject themes were announced and the title of your image should not be the same as the Set Subject theme.
  • All competition images must be submitted via the web site using the relevant “email me” form no later than Midnight on the Sunday proceeding the competition being judged.

Levels

To allow for the different skills and experience levels of our photographers, and to allow the judge to adjust their scoring accordingly, the Competition League is split into three levels: GENERAL, INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED for both PDI and Print comps.

New Members within the Competition League

New members joining the club who elect to enter the Competition league will be placed in the General Section of the Competition league unless they can show evidence of a reasonable level of competence in photography. The Club offers TWO alternative methods of demonstrating competence:

  1. Appraisal of Photographic Work by Watford Camera Club Selection Committee.
    A portfolio of a minimum of 10 Prints or 10 PDIs representing the photographer’s own unaided* work may be submitted to the club’s Selection Committee for appraisal. At the Selection Committee’s sole discretion, the member will be placed in the most appropriate Section.* Physical prints may be produced by other parties provided that the photographic image (including any manipulation) is the member’s own unaided work.
  2. Formal Educational Qualification or Accreditation by a nationally-recognised photographic organisation.
  • Intermediate Section: The following will qualify a new member for entry into the Intermediate Section:
    • A GCSE (Grade B or higher) or equivalent formal qualification in Photography.
    • BTEC HND, BTEC HNC, BTEC ND, City & Guilds, ‘A’ Level (Grade B or higher), or equivalent formal qualification in Photography.
    • Royal Photographic Society (RPS) distinctions; i.e. Licentiate (LRPS).
    • Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB) awards; i.e. Credit (CPAGB),
    • Corporate Membership of the British Institute of Professional Photography; i.e. Licentiate (LBIPP).
    • Corporate Membership of the Master Photographers Association; i.e. Licentiate (LMPA).
  • Advanced Section: The following will qualify a new member for entry into the Advanced Section:
    • Degree qualification in Photography.
    • Royal Photographic Society (RPS) distinctions; i.e. Associate (ARPS) or Fellow (FRPS).
    • Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB) awards; i.e. Distinction (DPAGB) or Master (MPAGB).
    • Equivalent Awards or Distinctions from an equivalent photographic organisation.
    • Corporate Membership of the British Institute of Professional Photography; i.e. Associate (ABIPP) or Fellow (FBIPP).
    • Corporate Membership of the Master Photographers Association; i.e. Associate (AMPA) or Fellow (FMPA).
    • Corporate Membership of an equivalent photographic organisation

League Tables

The following rules will dictate how the league tables are operated.

  • Separate league tables will be run for Print and PDI competitions.
  • Trophies will be awarded to the winners of the 3 levels (General, intermediate, Advanced) for both Print and PDI comps.
  • Your final position in the league table will be based on your personal average score of your best 8 images. (enter 10 automatically drop worst 2 scores, enter 9 automatically drop worst score enter <=8 no scores dropped) in either Print or PDI.
  • A minimum of 8 images is required to qualify for a final position in either of the Print or PDI league.
  • In the event of a tie members number of placed images will decide position.
  • In the event of a tie in the regular scoring mechanism, the totals of ‘Points’ will decide position, where ‘Points’ are awarded as follows: 3 ‘Points’ for each first place, 2 ‘Points’ for each second, and 1 ‘Point’ for each third”.

Promotions and demotions

Promotions and demotions will be calculated from the member’s images entered into both Print and PDI their combined average from all of their entries.

  • If you are promoted or demoted it will apply to both Print and PDI comps.
  • If you do not enter a minimum 8 qualifying images in either Print or PDI or 8 images in total from Print and PDI for two years you will automatically be demoted to the next lower section.
  • Promotions will be applied to the top 10% (rounded up to a minimum of 1 based on the total number of members in that group) in General and Intermediate sections based on the members average across both Print and PDI or is the winner of the league table in either Prints or PDIs.
  • Demotions will be applied to the Bottom 10% (rounded up to a minimum of 1 based on the total number of members in that group) in Advanced and Intermediate sections based on the member’s average across both Print and PDI. This will also include members who have failed to enter the minimum requirement of 8 images across both Print and PDI for the second consecutive year.

To help members understand, here are some examples of how average scores are calculated as follows.

  1. A Member:-
  • Entered all 20 comps = average of best 16 scores (2 scores dropped from PDI and Print).
  • Entered only 10 PDI = average of best 8 score (dropped worst 2 scores).
  • Entered 5 PDI and 5 Print = average of all 10 scores (no scores dropped).
  • Entered 6 PDI and 2 Print = average of all 8 scores (no scores dropped).
  • Entered < 8 entries for PDI and Print combined = no average generated and warning issued.

Duplicate Images

An image produced as a print and entered into a print competition shall not be used to enter a projected digital image competition (PDI) or vice-versa. Each print or PDI can only be entered once. Images entered in Monthly competitions cannot also be used as a set subject entry (so the same rules apply as regards duplicate images), but “duplicate” images can be used as part of a Triptych entry. If an error is made no action will be taken on the night (we will need to check our records).

  1. In the event of a duplicate image for an author being the first error the author will be given a verbal warning only – no action will be taken in respect of scoring.
  2. If a second error is made then the author will be given a written warning and the image will be scored as the season average for that author to date or the score on the night, whichever is the lowest. (No advantage is gained but neither is there a serious disadvantage). Depending on the final updated score this may result in a loss of a ‘place’ on the night (see point 4 below)
  3. If it is the third or subsequent duplicate image error by that author then the author will be given a second written warning and a score of 0 will be given. This score of 0 must be counted as one of that author’s top 8 images in terms of calculating their season average.
  4. If any duplicate image is given a place for a third or subsequent error then, in being given a score of 0, it will lose that place and the next best image(s) will be moved up a place. This may also be the case where a second error means the adjusted score makes a difference to the placings. Where there is a tie for a 4th placed image, one of our camera club accredited judges will be asked to choose which of the tied images is to be moved up to 3rd place.
  5. Where an author enters a duplicate image for a third or subsequent time a message will be put out to all members saying –
    A member has agreed/admitted to having entered a duplicate image in an internal competition. As per club rules that image has been scored a 0. Can I ask all members to please be careful not to enter duplicate images.

What constitutes a ‘Duplicate Image’?

An image will be deemed as duplicate if it is so similar to a previous image that it is virtually indistinguishable from the original. There must be a visually demonstrable difference between the two, and whilst this is subjective it is requested that authors exercise common sense when submitting an image. If in doubt the Competition Secretary will advise. The identification of what constitutes a ‘duplicate’ image is very challenging and debatable. In deciding whether the rule has been contravened the relevant images may be circulated to our Committee members to adjudicate.

In outlining this rule we suggest that authors consider whether entering two such similar images is really stretching yourselves or developing your skills and portfolio. It may also be the case that if two images are so similar – that we cannot use both to represent us in external competitions, hence possibly denying us other strong images that you could be submitting.

The following is a list of examples of what might be considered ‘duplicate’ images. It is not exhaustive as the list could be endless.

  1. An image submitted as a colour image cannot be subsequently submitted as a monochrome, and vice-versa – they will be deemed to be the same image.
  2. Photographing a building (for example) and then taking a second one which is from virtually the same place/aspect – even if it is a different day, sky, camera setting, crop, lens… Unless it is a substantially different resulting image.
  3. Capturing a model in a studio setting striking a pose with eyes open and then another with eyes closed, or slightly different facial expression.
  4. Capturing a bird in flight taken on a ‘burst’ and then a second one from the same burst.
  5. Taking a long exposure seascape with a boat on the horizon and then a second one from the same place, but which has no boat on the horizon

In summing up you might want to ask yourself a question about whether two images might be ‘duplicates’ – “would you enter these two images in the same competition?”. If the answer is no then they are probably too similar.

Regular Competitions

Projected Digital Image (PDI Comp)

The PDI competition is run 5 times per camera club year. Member’s digital images are projected on a screen and are judged by an external judge. There are FOUR categories on a PDI competition evening: GENERAL, INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCED and FREE GROUP. You may enter a maximum of TWO images into the category you have been allocated. There is also a SET SUBJECT section, which is open to all categories with a maximum of one image per person. The categories GENERAL, INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCED and SET SUBJECT will be run as a separate competition where marks out of twenty are given to each image and a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place are given to the winners.

The FREE GROUP will get feedback and an unrecorded score only, NO places, league, promotions or demotions, FREE GROUP members can also enter the SET SUBJECT section.

Your images should be no larger than 1600 pixels wide or 1200 pixels tall (whichever is the greater), they should be in the sRGB colour space and saved as a JPEG. An image produced as a PDI and entered into a PDI competition shall not be used to enter a print competition and vice-verse.

Each PDI can only be entered ONCE. If an error is made no action will be taken on the night (we will need to check our records). For the first error the member will be given either their average score for the season or the score on the night – whichever is the lowest (no advantage is gained but neither is there a serious disadvantage). For a second or subsequent error a zero score will be given.

Upload your Image files via ONE of (Set Subject is included in both) the PDI Email Forms (below) by midnight on the Sunday before the competition using the file naming format:-

Title_Your Name.jpg e.g. Mountains and Lakes_Joseph Bloggs.jpg

Printed and Mounted Images (Print Comp)

The Print comp is run 5 times per camera club year. Member’s printed and mounted images are presented to the external judge one at a time. Marks out of 20 and critique are given for each image and a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place are given to the winners.

There are three sections on a print competition evening: General, Intermediate and Advanced. You may enter a maximum of two images into the section you have been allocated. There is also a Set Subject section, which is open to all categories with a maximum of one image per person.

Prints must be mounted, any size mount is acceptable but 40x50cm mounts have the best impact and can be used in other/external competitions. This is also the size required for our annual exhibition where mount size is governed by our frame size. Prints for club competitions must not be framed.

Then bring your Actual Prints to the Print Competition Secretary by 7.30 pm on the night of the competition.

The print labels (available from the Print Competition Secretary) should be completed and affixed onto the reverse to the Top Centre of the print. An image produced as a print and entered into a print competition shall not be used to enter a projected image competition or vice-versa. Each print can only be entered once. If an error is made no action will be taken on the night (we will need to check our records).

For the first error the member will be given either their average score for the season or the score on the night whichever is the lowest (no advantage is gained but neither is there a serious disadvantage). For a second or subsequent error, a zero score will be given.

Upload the Image files of your prints via the Print Email Form (below) by midnight on the Sunday before the competition using the file naming format:-

Title_Your Name.jpg e.g. Mountains and Lakes_Joseph Bloggs.jpg

Set Subject

The SET SUBJECT section runs as a standalone competition with its own marks and league table. The Set Subject competition is run alongside the Competition League for both Print and PDI competitions. This competition is open to all members in all three Competition League levels or Free Group and all members compete in one league regardless of their normal competition level.

You can enter one image into the set subject which should match the theme published for that competition.

Set Subjects titles are released on January 1st each year for the Competition Year starting in the September of that same year. This gives at least 9 months for authors to capture their images. Indeed all images for Set Subject MUST be captured after the release date. Members must not use their ‘back catalogue’ from before that date (Jan 1st).

There is one exception to this each year. The Debbie Ram Seeker of Light is a Set Subject Title which runs every year alongside the other 5 annually named titles. The Debbie Ram Seeker of Light Award is always our first Set Subject which we run immediately after we return each September. The image for this competition can be captured after September 1st each year for the following September’s competition. This allows authors one full year to capture their image.

Marks out of 20 and critique are given for each image and a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place are given to the winners. The set subject competition follows all of the same rules as the standard PDI or Print Competitions.

Each set subject image can only be entered ONCE. If an error is made no action will be taken on the night (we will need to check our records). For the first error the member will be given either their average score for the season or the score on the night – whichever is the lowest (no advantage is gained but neither is there a serious disadvantage). For a second or subsequent error a zero score will be given.

Upload your Image files via ONE of (Set Subject is included in both) the PDI Email Forms (below) by midnight on the Sunday before the competition using the file naming format:-

Title_Your Name.jpg e.g. Mountains and Lakes_Joseph Bloggs.jpg

Occasional Competitions

Open/Experimental Competitions

The Open/Experimental night has been added to the WCC program, to provide an outlet for members to gain feedback and critique as follows:-

  • Open Category – Images that a member feels might be appropriate for Competition League Entry that might need further work before entering
  • Experimental – Images of a highly experimental or creative nature that may not fit within traditional camera club judging guidelines

The Open/Experimental night will be run 2-3 times per year. You may enter up to three images per evening into either or both category. Member’s digital images will be projected on a screen and are judged, marks out of 20 and critique are given for each image.

Images will be selected in a similar manner to the exhibition in that the popularity of the night will determine how many images from each member are presented on the night.

Members should ensure that they complete the email me form and prioritise the images they want entered on the basis of image 1 being highest priority.

As an example, if 30 members all enter 3 images we would need to critique 90 images in an evening which would be too many for enough time to be given to each image. Therefore only the first 2 images from each member will be presented on the evening.

Your images should be no larger than 1600 pixels wide or 1200 pixels tall (whichever is the greater), they should be in the sRGB colour space and saved as a JPEG.

An image entered in the Open or Experimental category shall not be used to enter in the other category or entered twice in the same category. However, an image entered on an Open/Experimental night may be entered at a later date as either a Print or PDI entry in the Competition League or exhibition.

If an error is made no action will be taken on the night (we will need to check our records).

For the first error the member will be given a verbal warning of breach of the competition rules. For a second error the member will be asked to explain their actions to the committee who will then take the appropriate actions to stop further infringement of the rules.

Your images should be no larger than 1600 pixels wide or 1200 pixels tall (whichever is the greater), they should be in the sRGB colour space and saved as a JPEG.

3 Panel Competition

The principle of this competition is to produce a set of three images that:

  1. Tell a story or run a theme.
  2. The tonality and colour should be consistent throughout the panel.
  3. The panel should consist of three separate images or one image chopped into three pieces.

In the print section you can use images that have previously been used as PDIs and in the PDI section you can use images that have previously been used as prints.

This rule applies to this competition only.
Images entered into this competition can also be entered separately into the monthly competitions.

PDIs
• All three images placed onto a digital ‘canvas’ in any arrangement of your choice no larger than 1600×1200 pixels.
• There should be a maximum of TWO panel entries per person.
• There are no marks given; the winner will receive the Colab Trophy.
• There are no 2nd and 3rd places in this competition.
• Upload your Image files via the PDI Email Form by midnight on the Sunday before the competition using the file naming format:- Title_Your Name.jpg

Prints
• Three images each one mounted onto its own mount or all three images mounted onto one mount.
• There should be a maximum of TWO panel entries per person.
• There are no marks given; the winner will receive the Bhimji Trophy.
• There are no 2nd and 3rd places in this competition.
• Upload your panels via the Print Email Form by midnight on the Sunday before the competition using the file naming format:- Title_Your Name.jpg
• All three images placed onto a black digital ‘canvas’ no larger than 1600×1200 pixels.

Bring your Actual Prints to the Print Competition Secretary by 7.30 pm on the night of the competition.