Entering Print Competitions - Peoria Camera Club

Sharing Knowledge for Better Photos
Revised 07/16/2012
www.peoriacameraclub.com

Contents
Basic Competition Process…………………………..…………… 1
Competitions ……………………………………..………………. 2
Competition Number ………………………………..……………. 2
Judging …………………………………………………………… 2
Image Manipulation Rules …………………….….………............ 3
Clubs within the Club…………………………………………….. 4
Entering Digital Competitions ……………………..…………….. 5
Digital Category Definitions……………………………………… 6
Entering Print Competitions……………………..…….………….. 7
Print Entry Form Sample ……………………….…….………….. 8
Urban Landscape Competition (Digital)………….…………......... 8
President’s Special Competition (Digital & Prints)…….…..…….. 9
End of Year Competition (EOY)………………..………………… 10
Awards and Recognition…………………………………...……… 11
Image Usage Rights and Responsibilities………….….….…..…… 11
Essentials for Exceptional Photos …………………………….….. 12
Notes …………………………………………………………….... 13

This page is blank on purpose

1
Basic Competition Process
1. Read the included competition instructions.
2. Decide which competition(s) you wish to enter.
3. Shoot the images.
4. Process the images. (See Image Manipulation Rules)
5. For digital images, follow the rules for digital competitions
and the category you are entering. Get them ready to enter
by following the instructions under “Entering Digital
Competitions & Rules”. Then put the images on a CD, flash
drive or email.
6. For prints mount them as specified in Entering Print
Competitions. ‘PRT”
7. Look at the PCC Image Handler Chart in the Meeting and
Competition Schedule insert to determine to whom you
should give or email your entries.
8. On or before the “turn-in date” listed in the club schedule,
give or email your entries to the handler. If this is your first
entry the handler will assign you a club number and tell you
or email that number to you after the showing.
9. Check for the date of the “showing” on the website or on
the insert in this booklet and attend that meeting to hear
the review of your entries.
10. The handler will return your prints, CD or flash drive to you
and record your results in club records after the showing of
results. At this time the handler will also inform you of your
club number.
11. And finally and hopefully pick up your award at the showing
or at a later date.
12. The results of each competition will be posted on the club’s
website under Competitions.

2
Competitions
Throughout the year the Peoria Camera Club sponsors member
competitions in digital projected images and prints. Digital categories are
Creative, Nature, Open and Photojournalism. Print categories are Large
& Small Color and Large & Small Monochrome Judge’s comments
about each image are included when the competitions are shown at club
meetings. The club also sponsors an “End of Year”, Urban Landscapes
and a “President’s Special” competition in a variety of formats. The
meeting program schedule clearly identifies turn-in and show dates.
Additional special competitions may be organized by the program
committee to give club members opportunities to compete in different
and challenging ways. Entries in these special competitions and in the
President’s Special are not eligible for the End of Year competition. The
club’s web site and PhotoChatter newsletter will have information about
any special competitions.
The maker must have exposed all parts the digital image, negative or
print used in any of the competitions. Members wishing to enter slides
into a digital competition are responsible for converting them to digital
images before entering them.
Competition Number
The first time a member enters a competition, he or she is assigned a
competition number that is used to track all of the member’s competition
results. The handler for that first competition will obtain a number from
the Competition Director and inform the member of his or her number to
be used in all further competitions.
Judging
An external judge in most instances will judge each entry.
In print competitions, the judge will select the best 1/3 of the
prints in each print category as “Acceptance” and will select a 1 st ,
2 nd and 3 rd place in each print category.
In Digital competitions the judge will select the best 1/3 of
images in each club level as “Acceptance” and will select one 1 st ,
2 nd and 3 rd overall in each competition. The maker will have an
opportunity to hear the comments by the judge at the showing.
After showing, the results will be posted on the club’s website. 1 st ,
2 nd and 3 rd places will be announced in PhotoChatter.

3
Image Manipulation Rules
With the perception by some that digital photography is synonymous to
digital manipulation, it is essential to address the ethics and “rules” of
image manipulation. It is left to the photographer’s conscience and
integrity to apply these rules.
Creative ‘C’ and Open ‘O’ Competitions
Any and all post processing techniques are permitted in these two
Categories. Prior to any altering, all parts of the entered image must be
created by the maker.
Nature ‘N’ and Photojournalism ‘PJ’ Competitions
The following post-capture processing with the aid of a computer and
software such as Adobe Photoshop, within limits, will be acceptable.
Selective Editing: Adjustments can be made selectively to your
photo. Cloning, dodging, burning, etc. to improve your photo or
remove imperfections or minor distracting elements, etc. is
acceptable. However, using any editing tools to duplicate, create, or
move major elements of your photograph are not permitted.
Use of Adjustment Layers: Levels, curves, color balance,
hue/saturation, and others so long as they do not create an
unnatural look are acceptable.
Miscellaneous: Borders, Sharpening, Cropping and Resizing are
acceptable.
Print ‘Prt.’ Competitions
Any and all post processing techniques are permitted in the four print
Categories. Prior to any altering, all parts of the entered prints must be
created by the maker.

4
‘Clubs’ Within the Club
For Digital competitions only
In digital competitions, there are four groups known as ‘clubs’ through
which members compete against one another. These ‘clubs’ are
Regular, Bronze, Silver and Gold. New members join and compete in
the Regular ‘club’ and as their skills improve, as demonstrated in digital
competitions, they can advance to Bronze, to Silver and to Gold ‘club’
levels. ‘Clubs’ are not used in Print competitions, President’s Special or
other competitions.
Promotion to a higher ‘club’ is based on a specific number of images
being accepted in competitions. An acceptance (point) means that the
judge likes your photograph for its impact, composition, technical
achievement, presentation and other factors related to photographic
performance. For Creative, Photojournalism (PJ) and Nature it takes 10
acceptances (points) to move from Regular to Bronze, 25 acceptances
(points) to move from Bronze to Silver and 50 acceptances(points) to
move from Silver to Gold. For the Open category it takes 15
acceptances (points) to move from Regular to Bronze, 30 from Bronze
to Silver and 60 from Silver to Gold.
In each digital competition, one (1) point is awarded for each
acceptance. Three (3) additional points will be awarded for the overall
Best of Show image. Similarly, two (2) additional points will be awarded
for the overall second place image and one (1) additional point will be
awarded for the overall 3 rd place image. These extra points for first,
second and third place images do not count toward the Kisner award
described in the Members Handbook.
There are no “clubs” in Print Competitions. For more information
on print competitions, see Entering Print Competitions.

5
Entering Digital Competitions
For all categories of digital images
The files must be jpg and the file size should not exceed 1mb.
Slides must be converted to digital before entering.
Image size should be no greater than 768 pixels in height or
1024 pixels wide.
The images must be named with the following format.
TITLE IN ALL CAPS by member name and member number
.jpg. The TITLE portion of the file name should not exceed 32
characters. Example; ROBIN WITH YOUNG ON NEST by
Tom Trust # 99.jpg.
Three images may be entered in each digital competition.
The maker, prior to any altering, must create all parts of the
image.
Once an image is “Accepted”, the only other time it can be reentered
in a PCC digital competition is the same category in
the End of Year competition for the current club year
Digital images can be turned in by CD or flash drive at a club meeting or
sent by email to the appropriate image handler on or before the
scheduled turn in date. (See Club Meeting Schedule insert and Image
Handler insert)

6
Digital Category Definitions
Creative Images ‘C’
A creative image stimulates a viewer’s mind to attempt to interpret the
message being conveyed. While traditional photography depicts a
subject as a reasonable facsimile of reality, creative photography
depicts the subject through a substantial departure from reality. A
creative photograph uses a variety or combination of non-standard
capture or post processing techniques or controls to alter or distort
reality. Some examples are computer-modified images, abstract
patterns, impressionism, infrared, party lights, glassware, backlights,
kodalith and filters.
Nature Images ‘N’
A nature image is restricted to the depiction of fact or phenomena from
all branches of the natural sciences (botany, zoology, geology, etc.).
Nature images must capture a natural subject in a way, which would
allow a well-informed person to identify the subject and to also be able
to certify its honest presentation. Human elements, if present, should
be unobtrusive. Images depicting museum habitats, domestic animals,
cultivated plants, or other subjects in any form that alters the truth of
natural subjects are not eligible. The goal of nature images is to depict
nature in its true and natural setting, without the presence and influence
of humankind.
Open Images ‘O’
An Open image is more than a record of an object, person, event or
place. It should characterize, enhance, or distill the essence of what is
being photographed. It can be used to convey an idea, to make a
statement, or to tell a story. Lacking these qualities, the image becomes
just another snapshot or record shot. Technical Merit, Impact and
Composition are critical in these images. Any image that meets the
requirements of Creative, Nature and Photojournalism categories may
also be entered in Open competitions.
Photojournalism Images ‘PJ’
An exceptional photojournalism image tells a story and stirs the
emotions of the viewer. A photojournalism image may be a
spontaneous, dramatic shot of a disaster, a death, or destruction. It may
also be the excitement of a sporting event or a photograph depicting a
subject of human interest. Although technical skills are important in any
photograph, in photojournalism story-telling qualities are most important.

7
Entering Print Competitions ‘PRT’
Print Categories and Sizes
Small color – (5x7 minimum up to 8x12)
Large color – (over 8x12 up to 16 by 20)
Small Monochrome – (5x7 minimum up to 8x12)
Large Monochrome – (over 8x12 up to 16x20
Mounting Prints
Each print must be mounted on a rigid backing. (Foamcore, mat board
or similar)
5x7 prints must be mounted on 8x10 or 11x14
Over 5x7 up to 8x12 must be mounted on 11x14
Over 8x12 up to 16x20 must be mounted on 16x20 (16x20 prints
may be flush mounted)
Prints may be matted but frames or glass are not allowed.
Prints on canvas are not allowed.
All topics including Creative, Nature, Open and Photojournalism are
eligible for any print category. All parts of the final print image must be
created by the maker.
Three prints may be entered in each category in each competition.
All entries within each category are judged as one group.
Prints may be printed using commercial or personal printing processes.
All prints must be properly identified on the back of the print, in the
upper left corner, when viewed from the back, using the Entry Form
shown on the next page. The Entry Form may be duplicated from the
separate insert in this booklet or printed from the PCC website.
Prints should be turned in at the meeting(s) specified in the meeting
schedule. Images turned in after that date will not be eligible for that
competition. NOTE: If you would like your winning print shown on the
PCC website or in PhotoChatter please include a low resolution jpg file.
Once a print is “Accepted” the only other time it can be entered in a PCC
print competition is in the same print category in the End of Year
competition for the current club year.

8
Print Entry Form Sample
Highlighted are typical entries are needed
Peoria Camera Club
Peoria Camera Club
Print Entry Form
Print Entry Form
Name & club # Jane Doe #13 Name & club # John Doe #1
Print Title Things About Me
Print Title All About Her
Competition #
2
Award (entered by handler) Competition #
3
Award (entered by handler)
Category
Category
Small Color S Monochrome Small Color X S Monochrome
X Large Color L Monochrome Large Color L Monochrome
Urban Landscape Competition ‘UL’
(Digital)
This digital competition features images about anything related
to an urban setting such as structures in the form of buildings, bridges,
streets, towers, bus shelters and so on, thus the definition is very broad.
There is only one ‘UL’ competition on the schedule.
Three entries may be entered as digital images only.
Digital images must be JPEG files and be entered as described in
“Entering Digital Competitions & Rules” in this booklet or on the club
website.
Images may be altered with post processing techniques according to
the Digital Manipulation Rules for the Open Category on page 5 in
this booklet or the club web site.
Images must be turned in before or at the meeting(s) specified in the
meeting schedule or emailed to the UL handler. Images turned in
after that date will not be eligible for that competition.

9
President’s Special Competition
(Digital & Prints)
An end of season a President’s Special Competition is offered in two
formats: Digital and Print. Entries should be turned in at the meeting(s)
specified in the Meeting Schedule. The images are judged during the
first General meeting in May.
All images in each format compete as a single group.
The digital images format is judged live using electronic judging
equipment to score the images. The current club president should, if
possible, select three previous club presidents for judges.
The prints are displayed and judged by popular vote of everyone in
attendance at the President’s Special Competition General meeting.
1/3 of the images in each format will be accepted. From those
accepted: 1 st , 2 nd & 3 rd will be selected in each format. The judges
select the Best of Show from the 1 st place images in each format.
That Best of Show image is replaced by moving up the 2 nd & 3 rd place
winners. Third place is not awarded for that category. 1 st , 2 nd & 3 rd
place receive a ribbon. Best of Show receives a plaque.
Entries in this President’s Special Competition are not eligible for the
End of Year Competition.
Entries in this competition count toward the Kisner Award.
Images entered in this competition must have been exposed after the
previous President’s Special competition showing. A member can
enter five digital images and five prints; however each image may be
entered in only one format. The same image cannot be entered as a
digital and as a print.
President’s Special Topics
At the current years President’s Special Competition, the incoming
president for the new club year will announce his/her choice of topic for
the upcoming year’s President’s Special Competition.
Some previous President’s Special Topics have been:
Churches … Inside and Outside
Speed
Low Key
Reflections

10
End of Year Competition ‘EOY’
An End of Year competition is conducted prior to the annual Awards
banquet. This is an opportunity to re-enter prints and images already
entered in competitions during the current year. New entries are not
permitted.
Competitions are conducted in the following 8 categories:
Digital categories are Creative, Nature, Open and Photojournalism.
Print categories are Small Color, Large Color, Small Monochrome and
Large Monochrome.
‘Club’ groups are not used in End of Year competitions. All images
compete together in each category.
PSA judges from other camera clubs or individuals of known
expertise that are not associated with the club judge images live.
1/3 of the images in each category will be selected as accepted
images. 1/3 of the accepted images will be selected as honor
images and one of the honor images will be selected as Best of
Show.
Best of Show is awarded in each of the 8 categories.
Each Honor Image receives a ribbon or certificate.
Each Best of Show image receives a plaque.
Plaques are presented at the first General meeting in September.
Entries in this competition do not count toward the Kisner Award.
End of Year Entry Rules
Images should be turned in at the meeting(s) specified in the Meeting
Schedule.
Five images may be entered in each category.
An image may be entered in only one category regardless of how
many categories it was entered in during the current club year.
Images must be entered in the original category and format that they
were entered in during the current club year.
Both accepted and non-accepted images from current year’s
competitions may be entered and must use the identical names as
originally entered. Images from Special Competitions, such as Urban
Landscapes, are not eligible for End of Year competitions.

11
Awards and Recognition
Awards are all about recognizing members for their work and
performance within the club and also to encourage new members to
compete thus advancing their skill levels. Ribbons, plaques and
certificates are used as a means of congratulating and honoring these
members for their achievements in the course of membership.
The best awards and recognition happen when you enter a competition
and a judge makes a constructive comment about your photograph.
This becomes a moment of learning even for the most skilled members
in the club. Whether or not the judging results in acceptances for your
images, the competition process will help you improve your knowledge
and skills as a still photographer.
Image Usage Rights and Responsibilities
Each submitter warrants and represents that each image was made
by the submitter; the submitter is the sole and exclusive copyright
owner of the image and the image will not infringe on the rights of
third parties. This includes image parts that make up the final
image.
Each submitter agrees to release and hold harmless the Peoria
Camera Club (PCC) and its members, officers and directors from all
liability, damages, cost or expenses of any kind which may occur in
connection with any claims concerning the publicity rights,
defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement, trademark
infringement, or any intellectual property related causes of action.
Each submitter permits PCC to enter his/her images in
Photographic Society of America (PSA) and Central Illinois Camera
Clubs Association (CICCA) photo competitions and permits PCC,
PSA and CICCA to use the images at meetings for educational or
promotional purposes, in their publications and on their websites.
The submitter retains all legal ownership rights to the image
copyright. The use of images by organizations other than PCC,
CICCA or PSA will require the consent of the submitter.

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Essentials for Exceptional Photos
The following is a guide to get you familiar with the words used by
judges as they review images.
Impact is the sense one gets upon viewing an image for the first
time. Compelling images evoke laughter, sadness, anger, pride,
wonder or other emotions.
Creativity is the external expression of the imagination to
convey an original or fresh, idea, message or thought.
Technical excellence is the quality of the image. Retouching,
post processing, sharpness, exposure, printing, mounting, and
correct color all speak to the qualities of the image.
Composition is the design of an image to bring all of the visual
elements together in concert. Proper composition holds the viewer
in the image and prompts the viewer to look where the creator
intends. Effective composition can be pleasing or disturbing.
Lighting refers to how dimension, shape and roundness are
defined and enhanced thru the use of light.
Style is defined in a number of ways. It might simply be how a
photographer applies light, composition, framing, color etc. to
his/her images. It can have a positive impact when the subject
matter and style are complementary..
Presentation gives the image a finished look. Mats and borders
should enhance prints and borders should enhance digital images.
Center of Interest is the point or points on the image where the
maker wants the viewer to stop as they view the image. There can
be primary and secondary centers of interest or occasionally, the
entire scene collectively serves as the center of interest.
Subject Matter should always be appropriate to the story being
told in an image.
Color Balance supplies harmony to an image and can enhance
its emotional impact. Color balance is not always harmonious and
can be used to evoke diverse feelings for impact.
Story Telling is the narrative property in a photo by which the
photographer implies a specific story or encourages the viewer to
develop their own story.

13
Notes