ETOBICOKE CAMERA CLUB

RULES OF COMPETITION—2007 – 2008

Rules of Competition 2007 - 2008 (pdf)

Please note that changes to the Rules of Competition are noted in red print.

MISSION AND GOALS

The Etobicoke Camera Club exists for its members to meet together to enjoy a common interest in photography, share ideas, and to improve their photographic and presentation abilities.  ECC supports the promotion of photography in all its forms.

ELIGIBILITY

Members who wish to compete in the regular slide/digital/print competitions must pay the annual dues prior to submitting entries. 

GENERAL

Paid-up members can submit slide and/or digital images in each of our regular competitions on the premise that all images are judged on the merit of the presentation and not by the type of image.  Members can submit 4 images in each competition in any combination they so chose (i.e., all digital, all slides, one digital and three slides, etc.) and the points scored count for ribbons and the year end awards.  We encourage entries that represent recent work of the maker, i.e., images taken or derived within the last three or four years.

Slides may be cropped and/or glass mounted, or as they arrive from processing. Digital images may be derived from either digital cameras or scanned photographic images and submitted as JPEG images.  Double exposures or montages are allowed (with the exception of the nature category).  Images incorporating digital imaging or electronic enhancements are acceptable provided that the image or enhancement is work of the photographer. Images taken from digital libraries are not eligible.

Slides, digital images or prints that have been entered in previous years’ ECC competitions are not eligible for 2007/08. 

The competing member must expose all photographs. Photographs of another photographer's work are not eligible.

 

By submitting entries you give the ECC the right to use the image for promotional purposes of the club.

COMPETITION DIVISIONS

The ECC has two divisions in which members compete:  Intermediate and Superset.  Everyone starts in the Intermediate Division unless they have earned the equivalent of our Superset criteria.  New members who have achieved standing in another camera club will be placed in Superset at the discretion of the Evaluation Directors. The criteria for moving from Intermediate to Superset is as follows:

 

·         Requires 30 award points earned in regular competitions in one season, and must include 5 ribbons, at least one of which must be Gold and a maximum of 3 can be HMs.

REGULAR COMPETITION CATEGORIES

We provide a description of the various competition categories.  Please read descriptions carefully to ensure that your submitted entries will be in category – do not rely on your own interpretation of the topic.  If you are unsure whether an image fits the category, you have the option of submitting it at the Image Critique, or asking one of the Image Evaluation Directors.

 

A Category Committee will review entries submitted and reserve the right to reject any image considered to be out of category. This decision-making process is intended to remove the need for judges to make decisions regarding suitability, and possible downgrading as a result.

 

1.       PHOTOGRAPHER’S CHOICE

The subject for this competition may be of any subject matter that the member chooses to submit.

2.       NATURE

Nature photography depicts living, untamed animals and uncultivated plants (e.g., trees, plants, and flowers in natural settings {wildflowers, not cultivated ones}, lichen etc.) natural habitat, geology and the wide diversity of natural phenomena, from insects to icebergs in such a fashion that an informed person will be able to identify the subject material and to certify as to its honest presentation. The story telling value of a nature photograph is as important as the pictorial quality. 

 

Human elements shall not be present, except in certain limited circumstances.  These exceptions include either where a human element enhances the nature story, for example, the presence of scientific bands on wild animals, or where a human element is present when the nature subject is in its natural environment, for example a bird on a wire which is a natural perch for bird, or barn swallows in a nest in a barn as that is their natural habitat, or a pelican on a post as this is a very common resting place for them.  However, any such human element must be minimized – i.e., a very small portion of a wire or the post top for a perched pelican should be the most that is shown.   Birds perched on a bird feeder are not permitted as bird feeders are not considered natural perches.  Such things as telephone lines, roads, walls, obviously cut wood, buildings etc. that are included in a nature photograph will be the cause for disqualification of the photograph.  Humans, however small, should not be shown no matter how beautiful the scene.

 

Photographs of animals which are domesticated caged or under an obvious form of restraint are ineligible, for example presence of fences or restraining wires, ropes, straps etc.

Photographs of produced hybrid plants or animals, mounted specimens, or set arrangements, are ineligible. The emphasis of a nature slide should be to show a small aspect of nature, i.e., a small section of a pond, close-up of a rock formation or waterfall, ice crystals, cloud formations, etc.  General panoramic landscapes or seascapes are considered scenics and will be disqualified. 

 

The original image must have been taken by the photographer, whichever photographic medium is used. Any manipulation or modification to the original image is limited to minor retouching of blemishes and must not alter the content of the original scene.

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT CREATIVE TECHNIQUES SUCH AS USING A SLOW SHUTTER SPEED FOR FLOWING NATURAL WATER, OR PANNING TO ACCENTUATE AN ANIMAL’S MOVEMENT AS IT IS RUNNING, OR USING A LARGE APPETURE SETTING TO BLUR THE BACKGROUND ARE ACCEPTABLE TECHNQUES IN ECC’S NATURE CATEGORY.  THE JUDGES WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO ACCEPT THESE IMAGES AS NATURE ENTRIES AND NOT TO DOWNGRADE THE SCORE SIMPLY BECAUSE THESE TECHNQUES HAVE BEEN USED.  JUDGES MAY, HOWEVER, DOWNGRADE SUCH AN IMAGE IF THE TECHNIQUE IS NOT SUCCESSFUL.  

 

3.       PEOPLE

The centre of interest in this category must be one or more persons.  The person(s) may be engaged in an activity or interacting with each other, or may be posed.  The image may be planned, such as for a formal portrait, or it may be a spontaneous or candid portrait.  In people photography, it is usually the expression in faces that holds the attention of the viewer by conveying the emotion of the moment, e.g., joy between mother and child, a child’s pride in a new pet etc.  However, emotion can also be expressed by focusing on a single detail(s) of the person, such as hands folded in prayer, a backlit silhouette, the back of a person engaged in an activity or quietly reflecting etc.   Creative techniques such as a panning technique accentuating a child’s movement as he/she is running is also acceptable as a people image. 

4.       SCENICS

Landscapes including natural or coastal scenery, seascapes and skyscapes (but excluding cityscapes) are eligible and the "hand of man" may be included in the scene but should be incidental to the scene's main theme.

Since a trophy for the top Canadian Scenic will be awarded at year-end, please indicate on your entry sheet that your submitted entry depicts Canadian scenics, including the location in Canada.

5.       ARCHITECTURE

This category includes buildings, or parts thereof. Architectural structures must be permanent and stationary, such as buildings, bridges, walls etc. Interior structures are also included. Designs in nature as opposed to man-made are not applicable and will be rejected. Items such as furniture, flagpoles, skylines, artefacts, ornaments, ships, statues, fences are ineligible if these provide the dominant subject of the photograph.

6.       PHOTOGRAPHER'S CHOICE II

The entries for this competition may be any subject you wish, with one addition. Images which have been entered in 2007/08 regular competitions and scored at least 18 points, but did not win an award (Honourable Mention, Silver or Gold) may be entered to make up your four-image entry. This is an opportunity to have images that "didn't quite make it" judged by different judges.  Images submitted in the Special Competition are not eligible.

 

COMPETITION ENTRY FORM  - ECC Competition Entry Form (pdf) - for printing   ECC Competition Entry Form - Digital (doc) - for electronic submission

 

GENERAL INFORMATION ON IMAGE ENTRIES

For entry into a competition, all entries must be received by the image Evaluation Director no later than the Monday evening meeting two weeks before the judging date of each competition as noted in the Program.  Slide entries may be submitted on the Monday evening meeting two weeks prior to judging date at the latest, or on an earlier Monday evening meeting.  Digital entries must be emailed no later than midnight of the Monday evening two weeks prior to judging date.  Any entries submitted after these deadlines will not be included in the competition. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT FAILURE TO INCLUDE THE IDENTIFICATION FOR EACH ENTRY ON THE EMAIL AND ENTRY FORM AS DESCRIBED BELOW  WILL RESULT IN YOUR ENTRY BEING ELIMINATED.  IF YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE IN THE PROPER PROCEDURES, PLEASE DISCUSS WITH THE DIGITAL EVALUATION DIRECTOR OR OTHER MEMBERS.

Only one entry form is required regardless of what type of image is submitted as follows:.

·         If submitting at least one slide image in the entry, a hard copy of the entry form must be completed with all four images entered on the form and included with the slide entry.

·         If submitting all entries as digital entries, the electronic copy of the entry form must be completed and submitted at the same time as the images

o        A copy of the entry form will be returned with the scores and judges’ comments (when provided) for the maker’s records.

As shown in the sample below, the entry form must include the maker's name, division (i.e. Intermediate or Superset), the title of each entry, the sequence of entry (A, B, C, or D) and an indication of whether the image is slide or digital.   In addition, members of the Intermediate division only have the option of selecting one image upon which they would like to receive judges’ comments.  There is a column on the entry form marked ** to indicate the selection. 

Sample Entry Form

NAME:	Sally Brown	DATE:	Sept/06	DIVISION:	INTERMEDIATE**	X
CATEGORY:	Photographers’ Choice I				SUPERSET

NOTE:  SHADED AREAS TO BE COMPLETED BY EVALUATION DIRECTORS

	SLIDE	DIGITAL	IMAGE TITLE	**	JUDGES’ COMMENTS	SCORE	AWARD
A	X		On the Bay
B	X		At the lighthouse	X
C		X	Moonlight
D		X	Sunrise

**  Intermediate members only are eligible to request judges’ comments on ONE image for slide & digital competition.  Indicate with an “X” in the ** column whether A, B, C or D is selected for comments.

For those submitting slides, you must print the entry form and submit one copy of the completed form for each competition.  For those making digital image submissions, you can download the form and fill it out electronically and e-mail it as an attachment along with you digital images.  When filling out this form (Word document) electronically, please remember to use "Save As...  and rename the file to include your name and the competition involved.

 

SLIDE ENTRIES   ECC Competition Entry Form (pdf) - for printing   Please note: this form must be submitted in addition to your images.  The pdf document has two copies of the entry for ease of printing, however, only one entry form needs to be submitted  for each competition.

All slides must be spotted in the lower left-hand corner as normally viewed, and must fit into a carousel-type projector. If you must use tape to mask or mount, ensure that it will not stick or melt in the carousel/projector. The maker's name and the title must appear on the slide mount. All slide entries must be submitted in a slide box with the maker's name and division clearly visible.

The following steps apply for slides entered in competition:

1.     View each slide in its normal position, and then put the spot in the lower left-hand corner.

2.     Turn the slide up side down so that the spot is now in the top right-hand corner. Print the title at the top, and add your entry indicator (A, B, C, or D). Print your name and division at the bottom of the slide.

3.     Submit slides in a slide box, and label it with your name and division.  Please do not submit in envelopes or plastic holders.

4.     Include the completed entry form in the slide box.

 

DIGITAL ENTRIES    ECC Competition Entry Form - Digital (doc)  - for electronic submission.  Please note: this form must be sent in addition to your images. When filling out this form (Word document) electronically, please remember to use "Save As...  and rename the file to include your name and the competition involved.

For judging, the images will be projected on to a white matte screen and displayed with consistent dark backgrounds.   Images which carry image-maker identification (i.e. Copyright Watermark) will be disqualified.

 

Image Size – The maximum image size is 768 pixels along its longest dimension for competitive images.

 

File Size – Images must be saved as JPEG.  The recommended compression level to be used is 10 to 12.

 

Competition Identification:

 

Competition Category:   PC1 = Photographer’s Choice # 1 PC2 = Photographer’s Choice # 2 ARC = Architecture NAT = Nature SCN = Scenic PEO = People SPC = Special Competition

Division:   I = Intermediate S = Superset

 

Image File Name – File name must include first name, last name, sequence of entry (A,B,C,D), division, competition category and title of image, as shown in the following example:

·          First Name_Last Name_Sequence (A, B, C, D)_Division_Competion_Image Title

·         John_Doe_C_I_PC1_Moonlight

 

Submitting Entries – Images must be submitted by email attachments and sent to the club’s digital imaging email address:            digsig@etobicokecameraclub.org

 

Attach all images to the email (do not send a separate email for each image) and in the subject field enter the competition name (e.g. Photographers Choice I).  In the body of the email, please state the maker’s name, the skill category (Intermediate or Superset) and list the attached images.  On our web site under Digital, there are tutorials on how to resize and crop images.

 

Below are two example e-mails with image attachments - for submitting images for Photographers Choice I from Julian Sale, in the Superset Division.   Each e-mail system will look a bit different, however the primary elements are the same.

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT FAILURE TO INCLUDE THE IDENTIFICATION FOR EACH ENTRY ON THE EMAIL AND ENTRY FORM AS DESIGNATED IN THE EXAMPLE BELOW WILL RESULT IN THE ENTRY BEING ELIMINATED.  IF YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE IN THE PROPER PROCEDURE, PLEASE DISCUSS WITH THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE OR OTHER MEMBERS

 

OUTLOOK / OUTLOOK EXPRESS

  

GOOGLE G-MAIL 

 

Note:  Please remember to also attach or send via another e-mail your entry form. The file name of the entry form must include your name and the competition.

Images can be edited, resized, and renamed as per the above directions using several different methods and programs.  The following pdf is just one method and it focuses on using Picasa.   Workflow for using Picasa for Preparing and Submitting Images for ECC Competitions (pdf)  2.3MB

 

IMAGE CRITIQUE

A new addition to our program, now in its second year, is “Image Critique” that is intended to be educational and are scheduled such that you can submit images for critique prior each of the judged competitions.  Slides and digital images will be accepted for critique. 

The details for the critique are as follows:

• Image subject matter for each critique corresponds to the next club competition, except for the open category.
• 2 images maximum per member.
• Digital images must be submitted one week previous to the critique.  There is no need to identify the images as is required for the regular competitions, but PLEASE ENSURE THAT THE EMAIL MESSAGE INDICATES THAT THESE ARE FOR “IMAGE CRITIQUE” FOR NATURE, PEOPLE OR WHICHEVER TOPIC THE CRITIQUE IS FOR.
• Film images are to be put into the designated carousel by members on the night of the critique.  Members must also remove their slides at the end of the evening.
• Submitted images will be shown without identifying the maker, and will be commented on by selected club members. Audience participation will be encouraged.
• Image makers may choose to identify themselves during discussion of their images and may enter into the discussion.

JUDGING, AWARDS, AND AWARD POINTS—REGULAR COMPETITIONS

All entries will be judged by three judges (from outside ECC), each of whom will assign to each image a score that has a maximum value of 10 points (therefore, the maximum total for an image is 30 points). The images are judged by division—Intermediate and Superset. For each division, the judges will select winning images to receive a Gold Ribbon (first place), a Silver Ribbon (second place) and Honourable Mentions. The number of Honourable Mentions will represent approximately 10% of the total accepted images (images which score 18 or more points) for the division, at the discretion of the judges. In addition, the judges will select the "Gold of the Month" from the two Gold Ribbon winners.  Award points may be earned as detailed below.

·         Image receiving Gold Ribbon	4 award points
·         Image receiving Silver Ribbon	3 award points
·         Image receiving Honourable Mention	2 award points
·         Image scoring 18 or more and not winning Gold, Silver, or Honourable Mention	1 award points
·         Image scoring 17 or less	0 award points

SPECIAL COMPETITIONS

 

Points received in the following three special competitions will not count for the year end scoring.

1.       SPECIAL COMPETITION – 2007/08 SEASON

In keeping with the club's 50th anniversary, the topic of the Special Competition is "aged gracefully".  Examples could include:

·        antiques, i.e., furniture, farm equipment, spinning wheel, butter churn, musical instruments, pottery

·        lined, wrinkled faces or hands

·        weathered boats, windows, doors, staircases

·        rusted car parts

·        stately or big,old tree

·        moss on gravestones

·        grey/white muzzles of old animals

 

Not graceful examples:

·        rotting fruit, vegetables

·        ragged clothing

·        shoes with holes

·        anything with mold or other type of decay

The total score of the 4 entries will determine the ribbon winners—gold, silver and one HM.

You may enter images that have been previously entered in a regular competition, but not images that have been previously entered in a special competition. An image entered in the special competition is eligible for the current year's Image-of-the-Year Competition only if it was also entered in a regular competition during the current year and meets the Image-of-the-Year criteria.

2.       TRIOS

This is a "regular" special competition held at the Christmas social evening each year. Choose 3 images that tell a story, and bring them the evening of the social. Three ECC judges will be the judges.

3.       PRINT

1.        Any club member in good standing may enter a maximum of 2 prints.

2.        All entries will be judged in the two divisions – Intermediate and Superset.

3.        Subject matter is open.

4.        You may enter images that have already been in a regular or special competition, or you plan to enter in a future regular or special competition.

5.        All prints must be the substantive work of the maker.  Photographs made in workshops without significant ownership by the entrant may be disqualified from competition.

6.        Conventional or digital prints are acceptable. Colour and monochrome prints may be commercially or entrant made.  Monochrome prints may be hand tinted, toned, or coloured. Digital prints may be scanned/printed commercially or by the entrant. All/any digital manipulation must be done by the entrant.

7.        Prints must be mounted, and have a maximum presentation dimension of 20” x 24” and minimum presentation dimension of 11” x 14” – i.e., the outside dimensions of the mount, not the print).  Prints may be matted. Prints with frames, glass, wire hooks, or other hanging devices, or which include the title or individual name on the front will be disqualified.  The back of prints must be clear of any material that could cause damage or stick to another print.

8         Print the maker name, image title and division in the upper right corner of the back of the  mount and apply an UP Arrow to indicate the viewing orientation.

9         Complete one copy of the entry form and submit it to the Evaluation Director at the evening of print judging.

10     Scoring – there will be three judges who will score each image out of a maximum of 10 points.  A score of 18 or more points is an accepted image.  The judges will award the following ribbons: Gold, Silver, and Honourable Mentions (10% of the accepted prints) for each division.

COMPETITION SCHEDULE

Please refer to the 2007/08 Etobicoke Camera Club program for the schedule of competitions and the submission deadline dates. All judging evenings are open to members and guests with the exception of the Image-of-the-Year Competition.

IMAGE-OF-THE-YEAR

All images that received ribbons in the regular competitions during the 2007/08 season are eligible. In addition, each member may submit 3 entries that received 18 or more points during the season. For example, a member who received a total of 4 ribbons in regular competitions may submit a total of 7 entries (the 4 ribbon-winning images and 3 other images which scored 18 or more points = total of 7). Any images entered in any special competitions are NOT eligible for the Image of the Year Competition, unless it was also entered in a regular competition during the current year.

YEAR-END AWARDS

The following are awarded for accomplishment in various categories as described below. The recipients of trophies will retain them for one year.

 

Photographer-of-the-Year Trophy (one from each division)

The competitor scoring the highest number of award points in the year in each division will receive a trophy:

•           Advanced          President's Trophy

•           Superset           Ian Billington Trophy

Bob Campbell Award

         Awarded to the maker of the top scoring Nature image (either division)

3M Award Trophy

         Awarded to the maker of the Image-of-the-Year slide (either division)

Carling O'Keefe Award Trophy

         Award to the maker of the top Canadian Scenic image (either division)

Award Certificates:

-          The "Award of Merit" Certificate is awarded for each regular competition to the competitor with the highest scoring points (either division). This award is based on the total scoring points within that competition category.

-          The "Ted Maginn" Certificate is awarded to the competitor (either division) having the highest total of scoring points in all the regular competitions held during the year.