Competition Rules

BROOKLANDS PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

RULES FOR AND GUIDELINES ON ENTERING COMPETITIONS (NOVEMBER 2021)

This handout has been produced with the aim of helping all members to improve their chances of being successful in the Society’s various competitions and, at the same time to reiterate the rules on entering work in competitions.

PRINT COMPETITIONS

1. Any print or image can only be entered once in all competitions and/or categories.

2. A print or image which has been entered in a set subject category cannot be entered in any

open subject category, and vice versa.

3. Copying of other authors’ work is not permitted, and any such entries will be disqualified. Only work taken by the member can be entered in competitions.

4. All prints must be card mounted. The maximum print size is A3 Plus and the maximum mount size is 550mm by 450 mm. This is for internal competitions only.

5. The member’s name must be printed on the reverse of the mount.

6. All entries must have a title printed on the reverse of the mount.

7. The minimum size of print entries is 10” by 6” (250mm by 150mm) excluding mount.

8. All work entered must have been taken within the last 2 years. The reason for this is to encourage members to actively go out and shoot images specifically for the competition, and not to rely on stock images.

However in 2022 members will be allowed to submit images taken in 2019 onwards as many members prepared images for competitions that never took place due to the pandemic.

9. Any image which has been entered in a competition can be used as part of an AV in an AV competition, or the annual portrait competition

10. As from the 2019 / 20 season members can enter up to 3 entries in to print competitions. This must be up to 2 set subject images and one open image.

11. Points are awarded by the judge and complied over the year. The member with the most points at the end of the year will receive the Ray Smith trophy to be held for one year as best print worker.

DIGITAL IMAGE COMPETIONS

1. Any print or image can only be entered once in all competitions and/or categories.

2. A print or image which has been entered in a set subject category cannot be entered in any

open subject category, and vice versa.

3. Copying of other authors’ work is not permitted, and any such entries will be disqualified. Only work taken by the member can be entered in competitions.

4. When the image is saved it should be

• A JPEG

• The long edge must be 1600 pixels

• The members name and the image title should be saved with the image, for example John Smith – Humber Bridge at Dusk.

5. All work entered must have been taken within the last 2 years. The reason for this is to encourage members to actively go out and shoot images specifically for the competition, and not to rely on stock images.

However in 2022 members will be allowed to submit images taken in 2019 onwards as many members prepared images for competitions that never took place due to the pandemic.

6. Any image which has been entered in a competition can be used as part of an AV in an AV competition, or the annual portrait competition

 7. As from the 2019 / 20 season members can enter up to 3 entries in to digital competitions. This must be up to 2 set subject images and one open image.

8. Points are awarded by the judge and complied over the year. The member with the most points at the end of the year will receive the Presidents trophy to be held for one year as best digital image worker.

Brooklands Annual Portrait Competition

Definition: Portrait photography is the capture by means of photography of the likeness of a person or a small group of people (a group portrait), in which the face and expression is predominant. The objective is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the subject or the mood, impression or feeling that the photographer has attributed to the subject.
Portrait photography produces pictures that capture the personality portrayed by a subject by using effective lighting, backdrops, props and poses. Similarly the photograph should emphasis some connection or interaction with the photographer. Like other types of portraiture, the focus of the photograph is the person’s face, although the entire body and the background may be included.
Professional models are allowed.
A portrait may include small groups, (say a sports group, or a subset of a wedding
group) but only to a maximum of four people, and allow the inclusion of animals etc because of the reference to props.
A portrait would not include street photography or candid snatched shots. Urban settings are allowed if some element of posing or composition is included.

GUIDELINES

1. When entering work for the various set subjects, it is usually best to ensure that the subject is very prominent in the print or image and not just a small part of it.

2. Listen to any and all comments a judge might make in his critique and seek to apply such comments to your own work. I always endeavor to choose judges who will comment constructively and advise members on how their entries could be improved.

3. Throughout the course of the year there will always be ample opportunities for all members to seek tips and advice on their work. If you need help, just ask.

4. There is always a good source of advice and knowledge within the Society from members who are always ready and willing to help if asked.

Lisa Miller

Competitions Secretary