Competition Rules

Competition rules

(Updated 2025. Effective from 01/01/2026)

1. Exhibitors must complete a judging sheet.
2. The competition will be in two parts:-
   a)   Individual Print
   b)   Group Prints, which will be a panel of four.
3. Individual prints will be displayed first, followed by the Group.
4. Individual print must be part of the Group.
5. The print size shall be as stated on the programme (Variation in format is permitted as long as the area is equivalent to that stated on the programme).
6. Judging – Members should indicate which image they consider to be first, second, third and fourth by writing 1, 2, 3, 4 on the official marking form. When considering placings, members should take account of the Society’s Guide to Marking Competitions (PICS).
7. Images can be manipulated at the discretion of the member by using camera, camera images effects built into cameras, computer or darkroom techniques unless the subject is specified ‘Natural History’. All parts of the image must be the authors own image.
8. When judging is complete, the results will be tabulated and counted. Finalised scores will be double checked by two members and displayed.
9. The points awarded are as follows: 1st 10 points 2nd 9 points 3rd 8 points 4th 7 points All other positions 6 points. The first four places of the monthly competition will be announced at the meeting and the result grid will be attached to the next month’s newsletter.
10. Formal discussion of the images submitted for the competition is encouraged but members should reserve any comments until after all members have marked the photographs and handed in their score sheets. Unless there is a Speaker at the meeting all prints will be retained on view for a period in order for members to review and talk about the pictures submitted for the monthly competition.
11. Monthly totals will be aggregated as the competitions progress throughout the calendar year.
12. There will be one bye for each member. i.e. lowest score discounted.
13. Members not present at the meeting and wishing to exhibit may do so. Their prints will be marked in accordance with the above rules by members present.
14. At the December Meeting a Print of the Year Competition will be held.
    Each Member can submit one photograph  which may or may not have been submitted previously in the relevant calendar year to compete for the ‘Best Picture of the Year’ Competition. The image MUST be taken in the present calendar year. The scoring for this competition will use the system used for scoring ‘single’ prints during the monthly competitions or be by an invited outside judge.

Updated and approved by Committee  12 11 2025

Guide to Marking the competition P-I-C-S 

P…………………..Presentation………………………………………Suggested mark out of 1
Is the image presented well?
Is the presentation clean and neat?
Is it a mount in sympathy with the photos elements?
/ Does it enhance the image?
Is the colour of the mount in sympathy with the colours of the image?
Is any border present in sympathy with image?
Is the image printed well? (eg Details in highlights and shadow)
I…………………….Interpretation……………………………………… Suggested mark out of 3 
Is the competition title interpreted?
Is the interpretation straightforward/obtuse/clever/amusing/etc?
Is the colour reproduction suitable?
OR Is contrast and tone suitable (monochrome)?
Is composition of image elements used to advantage?
(eg Rule of thirds, perspective, vanishing point , symmetry, Triangulation, colour combination,)
C…………………..Camera technique………………………………………Suggested mark out of 3
Is the technique used well executed?
Is the technique used to enhance the image?
Is the technique used to enhance the interpretation used?
Are f stop / shutter speed/ ISO setting used to an advantage?
Is noise / film grain used to advantage?
Are focus / blurring used to an advantage?
S…………………..Suitability…………………………………………………Suggested mark out of 3
Does the whole package please you?
Do you like it?