Coastalcameraclub

COASTAL CAMERA CLUB
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR PHOTO COMPETITIONS
FOR THE 2007-2008 YEAR

CATEGORIES for COMPETITION
There will be competition in three (3) categories:

1. Assigned
Color and monochromatic

2. Open
Color and monochromatic

3. Manipulated

Within these categories, the competition will be by the following categories:

ASSIGNED

Each paid member may submit two (2) colored prints, and/or two (2) monochromatic prints.

"Assigned" pictures must have been taken in the past twelve months.

Monochromatic prints will be judged separately from colored prints. Monochromatic includes black and white prints, sepia, or any other single color photo. Please see definition paragraph below.

OPEN

Each paid member may submit two (2) colored prints, and/or two (2) monochromatic prints.

There is no time constraint on when pictures in The OPEN category were taken.

Monochromatic prints will be judged separately from the colored prints.

MANIPULATED

Each paid member may submit two (2) prints in this category. Manipulated is defined as any print which is altered beyond what can normally be done in a darkroom.

(A more complete definition of categories is listed under the heading DEFINITIONS, below)

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Prints:
All prints submitted in either the ASSIGNED, OPEN and/or MANIPULATED categories must have the provided labels taped to the back of the print in the upper left-hand corner with the arrow pointing to the top of the picture. (The labels may be downloaded from the website by clicking Here)

The maximum print size is 11" X 16" with the maximum mat not to exceed 16" X 20".

All photographs must be attached to a backer/mat board and covered with a single mat.

Single mats of white, off white, ecru or black in standard shapes including oval and round are permitted in all categories. Double mats will not be accepted.

Framed pictures or pictures with glass will not be accepted.

If a print or mat is signed on the front, the signature must be taped over.

PRESENTATION OF PHOTOS:

All members should share in the Presentation of Photographs as is done with the Judging. Presenters should change on a monthly basis.

GENERAL:

Qualification Questions: Pictures that do not conform to the Rules and Regulations will be disqualified. When there is a question, the deciding body will be the Competition Committee.

Complaints: See Grievances on Judging on page 6.

Labeling: It is recommended that print labels be completed prior to coming to the competition night with all information other than the print “#”. Numbering should be done at sign-in. You may download and print labels by clicking here.

Attendance: A paid member does not need to be present at the competition to compete.

Re-Entries: Prints that have previously won 1st, 2nd, 3rd or Honorable Mention places cannot be re-entered.

Photographers: For all entries, the maker must make all creative and technical decisions and manipulations alone.

Entries: It is possible for a member to submit 10 pictures for competition in the following subcategories:

Assigned Color Prints 2
Assigned Monochromatic Prints 2
Open Color Prints 2
Open Monochromatic Prints 2
Manipulated Prints 2

JUDGING:
Number of Judges: Three (3) judges will be selected from the membership or from qualified non-members for each competition. Judges must have been a paid member of Coastal Camera Club for 1 year.

Point Reminder Sheets: Each judge will be provided with a Point Reminder Sheet (8 x 10 free-standing) which will show our scoring criteria along with definitions of our categories (click Here to download a copy). Point Reminder Sheets will be handed out at each competition and should be placed in front of each judge.

Comments: Comments by general membership, entrants and/or judges should not be made during the competition and should be held until after the judging is completed. All comment requests will be honored once judging is completed.

Members of the audience may make a request for comments at the time a photograph is displayed. Presenter should then check the comment box on back of photograph and make note of same.
All entrants’ may make a “request for comments” and should note on label on back of submitted photo at time of sign in. Presenter should make note of same.

Scoring: Photos will be judged on a 4-9-point basis by each judge, with 4 being the lowest score and 9 being the highest. Based on this scoring system, using three judges, the top score a photo could receive would be 27 points; the lowest score would be 12.

Judging Score Table:
Exceptional 9
Excellent 8
Above Average 7
Deserving of Merit 6
Average 5

Judges will not judge their own or their spouses, partners or significant others photograph(s). The other two judges' scores for that photo will be averaged. Actual scores will be used; we will not round off.

Monthly scores will be tallied and recorded monthly and cumulative towards year end totals.
Two (2) people (the score keeper and the Chairman of the Competition Committee or substitute) will tabulate Judges’ scoring points. Results of each monthly competition will be known only to these two (2) people.

Judges will break all ties. (I.e. There will be no two firsts, seconds or thirds.) If 2 photos are tied for 1st place, judges will pick 1st and 2nd from these 2 photos. . If a tie exists for 3rd place, judges will pick 3rd and Honorable Mention from these 2 photos. In all categories, when more than three images are entered, the judges will do their normal scoring for each picture and the pictures will be awarded 1st, 2nd, 3rd or Honorable Mention based on total points received.

Points Assigned:
First (1st) Place: 4 Points
Second (2nd) Place: 3 Points
Third (3rd) Place: 2 Points
Honorable Mention: 1 Point

When three or less entries are in a category, the following scale must be used to determine what place these pictures take:
Points Assigned:
25-27 First Place
20-24 Second Place
14-19 Third Place

Grievances:

All grievances on judges’ performance must be made to at least one (1) Competition Committee Member within 2 days of the competition. If not made within 2 days then same will be dismissed. Phone calls are acceptable to any Competition Committee member providing they are followed up in writing within one (1) week to Chairman of Competition Committee (email or snail mail). Committee Members will then review same; discuss with Officers of the Club and the President will make the determination known to all club members at the next scheduled meeting.

Competition Winners:
1st, 2nd, 3rd and Honorable Mention are requested to submit their photographs to Web Master (Tom Fluharty for 2007-08 season) in 640 x 400 format . Photographers do NOT have to submit photos if they so chose. If you are concerned about photos being stolen, please add a “water mark” and/or contact Web Master.

DEFINITIONS:

Assigned: Monthly Assigned subjects are listed above. If there are any questions concerning explanations of same, please call, email, etc. one of the Competition Committee Members.

Open: You may submit a photo with subject/topic of your choice.

Requirements for Assigned Subjects and Open:
If taken with a digital camera, the camera must record EXIF data.
If taken with a film camera, you must retain your negative.

You must:
1. Create your entry from a single capture.

2. Ensure that your camera date and time are correctly set to your home time zone before shooting your entry. If the date recorded in your original image file is not within the 12 month requirement for Assigned category, your entry will be disqualified.

3. Retain your original, unedited file (exactly as recorded by your camera), and provide it to the Competition Committee along with a list of your editing steps within 48 hours of any validation request. Files that have been saved or altered with any editing or transfer software are NOT originals.

You may:
1. Use any feature of your camera while photographing your entry, with the exception of combining multiple captures in-camera.

2. Crop, rotate and resize your entry.

3. Clone out incidental power lines, twigs, dust specks, stray hairs, and similar minor imperfections.

4. Apply filters, effects, dodge & burn, and other tools to all or part of your entry, but NO new shapes or features may be created in the process.

5. Saturate, de-saturate or change the colors of your entry or any existing object within it.

6. Use layers, layer masks and alternative layer modes.

7. Use RAW conversion software.

8. Overlay two or more copies of the same original file and process them differently to enhance dynamic range.

9. Use software to correct perspective, lens defects or minor misalignments.

You may not:
1. Use ANY editing tool to move, remove or duplicate any element of your photograph that would change a typical viewer’s description of the photograph (aside from color or crop), even if the tool is otherwise legal and regardless of whether you intended the change when the photograph was taken.

2. Use ANY editing tool to create new image area, objects or features (such as lens flare or motion) that does not already exist in your original capture.

3. Add graphics, clip art, computer-rendered images or parts of other photographs to your entry or its border during editing.

4. Add text to your entry or its border during editing. This includes copyright statements.

5. Use distortions to create new effects or radically alter objects.

Monochromatic:
The monochromatic color scheme uses variations in lightness and saturation of a single color. This scheme looks clean and elegant. Monochromatic colors go well together, producing a soothing effect. The monochromatic scheme is very easy on the eyes, especially with blue or green hues. You can use it to establish an overall mood. The primary color can be integrated with neutral colors such as black, white or gray.

Manipulated:
Manipulated is defined as any print which is altered beyond what can normally be done in a darkroom.
Accepted are the following: Double-exposure or fragments from several exposures; geometric distortion, e.g. to correct perspective; adjustments to just a part of the image, e.g., dodging and burning.

END OF YEAR AWARDS:

Best Photograph of the Year:

The final competition of the year will consist of the monthly first place winners in each category. A “Grand First Place” winner will be chosen for each category. Then a "Best Photograph of the Year" will be chosen from the “Grand First Place” winners.

Outside judges will be obtained for this final competition.

Photographer of the Year:

The member who earns the most points during the year will be named "Photographer of the Year". Points for this will be earned in the monthly competitions as follows:

First Place 4 points
Second Place 3 points
Third Place 2 points
Honorable Mention 1 point

COMPETITION COMMITTEE 2007-2008:

Phyllis Fluharty, Phone: 945-4666, Email beach1babe@verizon.net
Bobbie Ranney, Phone: 422-5364, Email: rarmilford@msn.com
Anne Rhoads, Phone: 684-4496, Email: rphoto2@aol.com