Competition Rules1

 

 

 

Modified October 2007

Please be sure to review the competition rules prior to entry as they are subject to change. This page contains the latest rules for both the regular (Print and Slide) and Digital (on-line) competitions. Guidelines for Judges can be found here.

PRINT AND SLIDE COMPETITIONS

There will now be only three categories, which will be judged independently from one another. These categories are:

Slides

Slides may be color or monochrome. Slides must be original or duplicate slides of unaltered subject matter. Slides made from digital files are acceptable for competition.

Color Prints

Color prints are acceptable for inclusion whether or not they have undergone digital manipulation.

Monochromatic Prints

(Monochromatic Prints are acceptable for inclusion whether or not they have undergone digital manipulation. The desaturation of a color image to make it monochromatic is acceptable, provided the desaturation is complete and not selective. Only color images that are completely desaturated should be entered in this category. Any partially desaturated images which result in a mixed color/monochrome image are not allowed in this category, and should be entered as a Color Print. The definition of Monochrome includes sepia toned prints, or any other single color toning.

Eligibility

You must be a fully paid-up member of OCC to be eligible to enter all monthly competitions. Therefore, if you have not renewed your OCC Membership, you will not be able to enter images in the monthly competition. You will need to present your membership card or number to be eligible to enter an image in the competition. If you have renewed and not yet received your membership card, it will be available for you at the next meeting. An updated membership list will be on hand for verification.  If you have not renewed and wish to enter the competition, you must do so in order to enter an image. The competitions are a benefit of membership and will be handled as such.

Awards

Awards will be given as follows: In each category, the image scoring the highest number of points will receive a rosette for the Best of Category. All other images in the same category will receive ribbons based on the following scoring system:

80-84    - -  white ribbon – ‘Good’ image needs improvement
85-94    - -  red ribbon – ‘Excellent’ image needs minor improvement/s
95-100  - -  blue ribbon – ‘Superior’ image needs no improvement

The winners of each Cartegory will receive a Gift Card from Colonial Photo & Hobby as well as a 1-Year Pro Subscription to SmugMug.

Entries

  • Themed competitions - one image per category per club member.
  • Open competitons - one image ONLY in the category of your choice, plus one slide, for a total of up to two images.
  • The same image may not be entered in more than one category (nlcuding the online Digital Competition) and in more than one monthly competition.
  • All entries must be the original work of the entrant.
  • All entries must conform to the assigned theme and are subject to the approval of the Competition Chairperson or Designee. Any entry disallowed may be entered in an appropriate, subsequent monthly competition.
  • All entries must be titled by the entrant.

Competitions

  • Monthly Themed Competitions: A specific theme will be assigned to these competitions, a total of eight per year i.e. Windows, Scenic, Wildlife, etc. Entries must be the original work of the entrant. Themes will be announced in advance of the coming calendar year.
  • Monthly Open Competitions: Entries to the Open Competition are not limited to a specific theme. There will be four Open competitions per calendar year. Any appropriate subject matter is allowable, within the parameters set in the Categories of Competition.
  • Annual Competition: The Annual Competition is open to all entries from previous monthly competitions submitted during the current calendar year, which have scored 85 points (Red Ribbon) or higher during the monthly, judged competitions.

Image Requirements

  • Slides: All slides must be in standard paper, cardboard or plastic 2”x2” slide mounts. Mount colors may be black or white.
  • To insure proper viewing, a large dot must be placed in the lower left hand corner of the slide mount, when viewing the slide in its proper orientation.
  • The slide must have the photographer’s name, the title of the image and the entry date written on the slide. No stick on labels, please.
    |
  • Prints: All prints must be mounted and may have one single mat - which may be of any color - to 'frame' the image.
  • No mat may exceed 16” x 20” or be smaller than 5" x 7".
  • No framed images will be permitted.
  • Flush mounted images may be mounted on mat board or foam core.
  • The is no minimum print size. Maximum print size is 16” X 20”.
  • Unusual shaped images (e.g. panoramas) are permitted.
  • All prints must have the following information on the back in the upper left hand corner: Photographer’s name, title of image, date of entry, Member #, and score (left blank).
  • No prints shall contain any object or substance that will damage the other competition prints.

Disclaimer

The OCC will take reasonable care in the handling of all OCC competition entries – slides or prints. By entering the OCC competition, the entrant acknowledges that the OCC bears no responsibility for the loss or damage of any entry during the handling, transport, storage or exhibit of said entry. All images remain the property of the entrant.

Judging

The OCC will make every effort possible to secure 2 or 3 judges from the local photographic community for each competition, who are not members of the OCC. If unable to secure judges as stated above, club members may be asked to fill in. Judges who are club members will not score their own entries in the monthly competition.

 

DIGITAL (ON-LINE) COMPETITION

In addition to the regular Print and Slide competitions (see above), the Orlando Camera Club has added a new and exciting category to the monthly photo contest that can be submitted ONLINE!  SmugMug has graciously given the OCC our own FREE website for just this purpose.  In addition to the website, SmugMug will award a free, 1-year Pro Subscription to the winner of this category worth $150! All entries for this category must be submitted online (instructions below). 

Rules

  1. The same theme applies as the regular print contest for that month
  2. Only one submission per member
  3. Your image may be color, monochrome, digitally enhanced, digitally manipulated, or even a slide (if you scan it first). In other words, anuthing goes.
  4. Your image must be uploaded before midnight on the Wednesday prior to the contest night. 
  5. The winner will be announced at the Camera Club contest night.
  6. The only format that can be uploaded is a JPEG.  Recommended image size is 150 dpi at 8 x 10, but as long as it displays well, any size or aspect ratio is allowed. 

Submission instructions

Below are the instructions to upload your image directly to SmugMug via email.  It is quite simple, however, very important that you follow each step exactly or your image may not be uploaded.

  1. Change the format of your email to “Plain Text” - Do not use HTML.
  2. Address your email to OrlandoCameraClub@email.smugmug.com
  3. Attach the photo (in JPG format only) you want to submit (just like you’d email a photo to a friend)
  4. In the “Subject Line” enter “contest”. This must be exact, and all lowercase.
  5. The “Body” of the email needs ONLY two things:
    1. Your OCC MEMBER NUMBER.  Do not put your name or you will be disqualified.  You can find your member number on your name badge.
    2. The TITLE of your image.
    3. An example would be: 165 – Bird on Wire
  1. Send the email

It’s that simple!  If you really get stuck, email reg@photosbyreg.com and I will attempt to help you through it.  You can go to www.OrlandoCameraClub.smugmug.com to make sure it is there and see what other images have been submitted.

Judging

The Digital (on-line) Competition will be judged anonymously by three members of the OCC. Judges' critiques will be posted on-line underneath the images following announcement of the results on Competition Night.

Awards

The winner will receive a 1-year Pro Subscription to SmugMug. The judges may also award Honorable Mentions.