Image Competition Guidelines PURPOSE:   The   Redlands   Camera   Club   holds   competitions   to   help   our   members   improve   at   the   art   and   craft   of photography.   Preparing   an   image   that   will   be   seen   by   others   and   will   be   critiqued   by   qualified   judges   encourages photographers   to   closely   focus   on   their   work   so   that   their   very   best   is   presented   at   the   competition.   Other organizations    have    varying    rules    for    competitions.    Acceptance    into    RCC    competitions    does    not    guarantee acceptance into others.   ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ENTRY   CLASSES:    Members   compete   against   other   members   of   like   skill   levels,   called   “Entry   Classes.”   RCC   Entry Classes    are    Apprentice,    Intermediate,    and    Advanced,    and    are    assigned    by    members    to    themselves    when submitting   images   for   competition.   Members   who   regularly   excel   in   their   particular   class   should   consider   moving to   a   higher   class   to   compete   with   other   members   of   a   more   similar   skill   level.   Ribbons   are   awarded   in   each category by entry class. CATEGORIES:   Categories   are   assigned   by   the   entrant,   but   may   be   changed   by   the   competition   chair   if   obviously erroneous.   Categories   are   People,   Places,   Animals,   Close-up,   Photojournalism,   Open/Miscellaneous,   and   Special (Sometimes   called   Category   X).In   every   category   but   Photojournalism   (see   that   category   for   specific   limitations) images   may   be   edited   to   realize   the   maker’s   vision.   Editing   can   include,   but   is   not   limited   to,   brightness,   contrast, tone,   color,   cropping,   removing   distracting   elements,   compositing   two   or   more   images   (each   of   which   must   be made   by   the   entrant),   saturation   (including   conversion   to   monochrome),   sharpening   and/or   blurring   elements   of or   the   entire   image,   painterly   effects,   the   use   of   filters,   high   dynamic   range   (HDR),   stitched   panoramas,   focus stacking and/or special effects as desired by the maker. PEOPLE:   Images   where   the   center   of   interest   is   a   person   or   persons.   They   may   be   formal   or   casual   portraits, posed or un-posed, with or without action . PLACES:    Images   where   the   center   of   interest   derives   from   the   place   at   which   it   was   shot.   Places   include   but are   not   limited   to,landscapes,   seascapes,   cityscapes,   and   most   nature   images   whose   main   center   of   interest is not an animal. ANIMALS:    Images   where   the   center   of   interest   is   one   or   more   animals,   wild   and/or   domesticated.   They   may be pets, farm animals, residents of a zoo or aquarium, or creatures in the wild or in bodies of water. CLOSE-UP: An image shot to emphasize detail, usually at actual-size or greater. PHOTOJOURNALISM:      Images      captured      for      the      purpose      of      documenting      a      story.      For example,Photojournalism   images   may   include   sports,   human   interactions,   events,   first-responders   in   action, and   other   newsworthy   occurrences.   Photojournalism   images   may   be   converted   to   monochrome,   cropped, and   moderately   adjusted   for   contrast,   tone,   color,   or   exposure.   As   the   emphasis   is   on   the   image   captured   in the   camera,   substantial   alterations   in   post-processing   editing   such   as   intentional   blurring   of   backgrounds, deletion   of   distracting   elements,   or   addition   of   elements   that   were   not   in   the   original   capture   are   not permitted.   Additionally,   “staged   images”   or   cropping   that   misrepresents   the   actual   story   is   not   allowed. Composites   showing   a   sequence   of   multiple   exposures   of   the   same   subject   captured   over   a   very   short period to show action are permitted. Story-telling is the key to photojournalism. OPEN/MISCELLANEOUS:    This   category   was   created   for   images   whose   center   of   interest   will   not   fit   neatly into    the    other    categories.    It    also    includes    abstracts    and    digital    artistry    where    the    photographer    is spotlighting   his   or   her   ability   to   create   a   unique   piece   of   art   through   photographic   and/or   computer techniques.   Images   incorrectly   entered   in   Open/Miscellaneous   may   be   moved   to   the   proper   category   by   the competition chair. SPECIAL   CATEGORY   (CATEGORY   X):    For   each   competition,   a   special   category   may   be   added   with   a   specific theme   or   photographic   technique   as   the   subject.   Past   category   X   have   included   black   &   white,   abstract,   and flight. Category X will be announced approximately two months before the competition. SCORING:    During   the   competition,   entries   will   be   presented   to   the   judges   in   random   order.   Names   of   entrants and   entry   class   are   not   announced   to   the   judges.   Images   that   display   the   creator’s   name   or   any   identifying information   such   as   a   watermark   or   digital   signature   will   be   disqualified.   The   category   and   title   of   each   entry   will be   announced   and   each   judge   will   assign   a   score   as   the   entry   is   shown.   Rounded   scores   calculated   by   the   scoring device will be announced. Scoring will be: Exceptional 95-99 Outstanding   90-94 Excellent 85-89 Above Average 80-84 Average 75-79 Below Average<75 AWARDS:   A wards   will   be   based   on   a   numerical   average   of   the   judges’   scores   calculated   to   two   decimal   places   by the   competition   chair.   Ribbons   for   first,   second,   third,   and   honourable   mention   are   awarded   to   the   top   scorers   for each   category   in   each   entry   class.   Best   of   show   will   be   awarded   to   the   highest-scoring   image   in   the   competition, regardless of entry class or category.