Competition
1. NUMBER OF ENTRIES
A member can enter a maximum combination of four (4) digital projected images (DI) and prints in each competition. For example, the entries can consist of 4 prints and no DIs, 2 prints and 2 DIs, 3 prints and 1 DI, 3 DIs and 1 print, or 4 DIs, etc. All entries must be submitted to the respective chairs not later than 6:45 p.m. Entries arriving later than that time shall not be accepted for that evening’s competition.
2. ABSENTEE ENTRIES OR MAKE-UPS
In the event of absence a member can submit his/her images to the Competition Chairperson in advance of the meeting to be missed. A member missing a competition due to absence can make up that competition at any time during the calendar year. Make-up images can be entered only in the general category. A member can submit a maximum of 2 make-up images in any combination of projected images and prints at any competition. Make-up entries are not eligible for first, second and third place awards.
3. SCORING – POINT ACCUMULATION
All points received during the calendar year shall be accumulated in the respective projected images (slide and DI) and print divisions.
4. AWARDS
At the completion of the competition year certificates shall be presented to the three members in both projected images and print divisions of each group accumulating the highest points in their respective divisions and groups. (The actual number of certificates awarded shall be at the discretion of the competition chairperson.) Photographer of the Year awards in both “A” and “B” groups shall be based on the combined scores for projected images and print entries.
5. IMAGE AGE
No age limitation shall be imposed upon any image. Nevertheless, members are encouraged to make every attempt to submit new work in order to take advantage of new equipment, films, digital imaging and techniques, as well as maintain or add to their photographic skills.
6. JUDGING CRITERIA
In general, there shall be four factors used in evaluating and scoring photographs. They are: interest, composition, technique and impact. Additionally, it is recognized that a photograph can be so strong in some area or areas that it overrides a weakness in some other area. Equally important is that an image should provide communication between maker and viewer.
7. SCORING STANDARDS
The scoring method to be used is as follows:
Value Evaluation Principle
3 points Significant technical deficiencies (e.g., exposure, focus, composition, etc.)
4 points Generally weak and/or poorly presented
5 points Some technical deficiencies; not showing any particular skill of the photographer
6 points Some demonstration of the photographer’s use of good technique and recognition of an interesting subject
7 points Fairly strong in interest, composition and technique; good use of lighting
8 points Well balanced; strong in interest, composition and technique; excellent use of lighting; image exhibits “artistic” interpretation
9 points Exceptionally good; has immediate impact together with being high in interest, excellent in composition and photographer has demonstrated a sound understanding of technique and imagination
8. JUDGING PANEL
There shall be three judges for each competition. A judge shall vote zero on his/her own image and any image he/she recognizes (such as a spouse or friend) and on which he/she cannot score objectively. In this case the score recorder shall average the two other scores and add that number to determine the total score. Fractional values of that average shall be raised to the next highest whole number. (For example, should the scores be 6, 7 and 0, the average would be 6.5. The average shall be given a value of 7 resulting in a total score of 20.)
9. GROUP STRUCTURE AND ADVANCEMENT
STRUCTURE: There shall be two levels or groups for both projected images and print competitions. These shall bear the following designations:
Group A – The advanced category. Membership in this group shall consist of (a) declared professional photographers; (b) the winner of the Group B Photographer of the Year award providing that that winner meets the minimum accumulated point total described below; (c) any member who elects, as of January 1 of any year, to compete in Group A; and (d) members who qualify for advancement from Group B according to the criteria set forth below.
Group B – The basic category. All members not in Group A shall compete in Group B. New members (except declared professionals and those having attained Group A or equivalent status in another club) shall automatically compete in Group B for the calendar year in which they join the club.
ADVANCEMENT TO GROUP A:
Frequency – Movement between groups shall occur annually as of January 1. No intra-year changes shall be permitted.
Criteria -
(a) Any member can elect to compete in Group A by notifying the Competition Chairperson.
(b) To advance from Group B to Group A a member must have an average of 21 points multiplied by the maximum number of yearly competitions multiplied by the maximum number of projected images or prints. For example, if there are 11 competitions during a calendar year and a member is permitted to enter a combination of 4 images in any combination of projected images or prints per competition, then the minimum accumulated points required for advancement is 21×11x4 = 924. (Note that movement from B to A can also be made by submitting a request to the Competition Chair.) Advancement by achievement shall be based upon the scoring points awarded to images entered during the competition year. Points shall be aggregated separately for projected images and print entries. A member earning the minimum required points in either projected images or print divisions shall advance to Group A for both projected and print competitions. Eligibility for advancement shall be determined on an annual basis and points shall not be accumulated from year to year. Advancement shall be automatic for members reaching the required point level. There shall not be an option to remain in Group B when this level of proficiency is attained.
10. Prints preparation for submission to competition:
For prints, the orientation should be indicated on the back of the mount or print. Prints must be neatly mounted on mounting board up to 16 by 20 inches or 320 square inches equivalent. The minimum image size shall be 8 by 8 inches or 64 square inches equivalent. Framed and glass-mounted prints are not acceptable due to handling difficulties. All print and entries must be submitted to the respective chairs not later than 6:45 p.m. Entries arriving later than that time shall not be accepted for that evening’s competition. Digital images shall be submitted to the DI chair no later than noon of the day preceding the competition.
11. GUIDELINES FOR DIGITAL IMAGE COMPETITION
All images may be captured either using a digital camera or scanned from slides or negatives and must be NEW images, not previously entered in any format in any prior OPCC competition. All images must be the member’s own image.
OPCC rules governing number of entries apply. At this time, any member may submit up to four images either digital files, or prints.
HOW TO SUBMIT DIGITAL IMAGES FOR COMPETITION
Images can be submitted either by snail mail or email to the DI Competition Chair not later than noon on the day preceding the competition. Follow the instructions below to prepare the images for competition. All competition images will be downloaded to the laptop computer. After the competition, they will be erased from the laptop.
HOW TO PREPARE DIGITAL IMAGES FOR SUBMISSION
Convert files to sRGB color space, if not already in that space, for the best color projection. Images must be submitted as high quality JPEG (JPEG maximum = 12). Mac users must add .jpg extension. Images must be in the proper orientation for viewing when projected.
The maximum image size is 1024 pixels along the longest dimension. The 1024 pixel limit allows for vertical and horizontal images to have the same impact. Use no more than 72-96 dots/inch resolution.
File name must be in the following format:
Class_category_lastnamefirstinitial_title.jpg
Example: B_S_stpeterg_snow scene 2.jpg
? Class: A or B
? Category: G (general), S (special), M (makeup)
Spaces in the title are allowed but not in your name. Use underscores as shown. Do not use illegal characters.
HOW TO SIZE AN IMAGE, ASSIGN A COLOR PROFILE AND SAVE THE IMAGE
The following procedure is Photoshop 6.0 based. Similar procedures follow for other versions or image editor programs.
1. It is assumed the image is displayed in a Photoshop edit window. If the image is layered, flatten it. Also make sure the image is oriented on the monitor in the desired orientation, i.e. UP at the TOP.
2. SIZING:
a. Go under the IMAGE menu and choose IMAGE SIZE.
b. Find the larger of the width and height in the Pixel Dimensions box.
c. Choose the larger of the width and height entries and set it to 1024 pixels (or less). Note that all dimensions change when this is done.
d. Set the resolution to 72 or 96. Repeat steps b and c if height and width are changed.
e. Choose Constrain Proportions (Click on it if it is not chosen already)
f. Choose Resample Image. Select Bicubic.
g. Hit OK.
3. ASSIGNING A PROFILE:
a. Go under the IMAGE menu, choose MODE and then CONVERT TO PROFILE.
b. In the CONVERT TO PROFILE window change the Destination Space to sRGB (ignore any characters following this).
c. Set the ENGINE to Adobe(ACE)
d. Set the INTENT to RELATIVE COLORMETRIC.
e. Hit OK.
4. SAVING THE IMAGE
a. Go under the FILE menu and choose SAVE AS.
b. In the SAVE IN box, choose the folder or storage device desired to save the image. (For example, the name and device number for a CD drive or a jump drive.)
c. Using the file name convention needed for competition submission, enter that file name into the box “File Name”. Be sure to include the image title. See “How to Prepare Digital Images for Submission” included here.
d. In the box “Format”, choose JPEG.
e. Hit Save. A window appears permitting selection of maximum quality for JPEG (The number 12 appears).
f. In the box “Format Options” select Baseline(Standard).
g. Hit OK
h. The appropriately sized, profiled, and named file is now saved in the folder or device as specified in 4-b.
Created 03/26/97
Revised 11/13/99
Revised 12/18/03
Revised 01/13/05
Revised 02/12/08
Revised 12/11/08