competitions:classdefinitions
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| - | ====== **LPA Photo Competition Class Definitions** ====== | + | ====== **LPA PHOTO COMPETITION CLASS DEFINITIONS** ====== |
| //Updated & Board Approved Dec 10, 2015// | //Updated & Board Approved Dec 10, 2015// | ||
| - | Once an image has received an Award (1st, 2nd, 3rd, EA) it cannot be re-used in any other LPA competitions. | + | Once an image has received an Award (1st, 2nd, 3rd, EA) it cannot be re-used in any other LPA competitions. |
| + | |||
| + | If B&W is not prohibited, then it’s allowed and the same with color. For Reality based classes (Nature, Travel and Photojournalism), | ||
| + | |||
| + | **ABSTRACT** - Images in which the presentation of shape or form is the objective of the photograph. Abstract is often determined by not knowing what an object is, at least right away. For example, lines and shapes might be what you first saw, but then after studying the image, you notice that those lines and shapes are the outside of a building. If you saw it as a building first, without much thought, it may be better suited for the Structures Class. | ||
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| + | **ACTION** - Motion being portrayed as the dominant theme, includes sports. | ||
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| + | **ANIMALS** -Animals depicted as the main theme (excludes birds). | ||
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| + | **CLOSE UP** - Photographs of small subjects or close up views of sections of large subjects. Think of this Class as “close up” to the subject. A photo of a faraway galaxy appears closer using a telescope, but it’s not a close-up image. A close-up on a face is good, but maybe better is a close up of an eye. This class is expecting some level of magnification. | ||
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| + | **CREATIVE** - Creative is defined as altered reality that is apparent to the viewer. This definition includes alterations utilizing: colored lights and gels, black light, Mylar, sandwiches, projected images, double exposures, zoomed images, lithograph, birefringence, | ||
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| + | **DESERT SCENES** - Scenes depicting the environment, | ||
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| + | **DESERT WILDFLOWERS** - Close-ups and landscapes dominated by desert wildflowers. | ||
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| + | **FLOWERS (5/2016 Competition only)** - Single or multiple blossoms of one or more plants, including Desert Wildflowers. | ||
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| + | **FLOWERS** - Single or multiple blossoms of one or more plants, excluding Desert Wildflowers. | ||
| - | **ABSTRACT** - Images in which the presentation of shape or form is the objective of the photograph. Abstract is often determined by not knowing what an object is, at least right away. For example, lines and shapes might be what you first saw, but then after studying the image, you notice that those lines and shapes are the outside of a building. If you saw it as a building first, without much thought, it may be better suited for the Structures Class. \\ \\ | ||
| - | **ACTION** - Motion being portrayed as the dominant theme, includes sports. \\ \\ | ||
| - | **ANIMALS** -Animals depicted as the main theme (excludes birds). \\ \\ | ||
| - | **CLOSE UP** - Photographs of small subjects or close up views of sections of large subjects. Think of this Class as “close up” to the subject. A photo of a faraway galaxy appears closer using a telescope, but it’s not a close-up image. A close up on a face is good, but maybe better is a close up of an eye. This class is expecting some level of magnification. \\ \\ | ||
| - | **CREATIVE** - Creative is defined as altered reality that is apparent to the viewer. This definition includes alterations utilizing: colored lights and gels, black light, Mylar, sandwiches, projected images, double exposures, zoomed images, lithograph, birefringence, | ||
| - | **DESERT SCENES** - Scenes depicting the environment, | ||
| - | **DESERT WILDFLOWERS** - Close-ups and landscapes dominated by desert wildflowers. \\ \\ | ||
| - | **FLOWERS** - Single or multiple blossoms of one or more plants, excluding Desert Wildflowers. \\ \\ | ||
| **HUMAN INTEREST** - In addition to the requirements for Photojournalism General (see below): | **HUMAN INTEREST** - In addition to the requirements for Photojournalism General (see below): | ||
| - | Human Interest is defined as an image depicting a person or persons in an interactive, | + | Human Interest is defined as an image depicting a person or persons in an interactive, |
| - | **MACRO** - (Coming soon) \\ \\ | + | |
| - | **MONOCHROME** - An image is considered to be Monochrome only if it gives the impression of having no color (i.e., of containing only shades of grey which can include pure black and pure white); OR it gives the impression of being a greyscale image that has been toned in one color across the entire image. | + | **MACRO** - Macro photography is extreme close-up photography, |
| + | |||
| + | **MONOCHROME** - An image is considered to be Monochrome only if it gives the impression of having no color (i.e., of containing only shades of grey which can include pure black and pure white); OR it gives the impression of being a greyscale image that has been toned in one color across the entire image. | ||
| - | A greyscale or multi-colored image that gives the impression of having been modified by partial toning, multi-toning, | + | A greyscale or multi-colored image that gives the impression of having been modified by partial toning, multi-toning, |
| Pictorial Monochrome images are judged both for their technical and pictorial merit. The image must be properly exposed, be in focus, and have an appropriate depth of field. A Pictorial Monochrome image should have strong composition; | Pictorial Monochrome images are judged both for their technical and pictorial merit. The image must be properly exposed, be in focus, and have an appropriate depth of field. A Pictorial Monochrome image should have strong composition; | ||
| - | \\ \\ | + | |
| - | **NATURE** - The **story telling** value of a photograph **must** be weighed more than the pictorial quality while maintaining high technical quality Human elements shall not be present, except where those human elements are integral parts of the nature story such as nature subjects, like barn owls or storks, adapted to an environment modified by humans, or where those human elements are in situations depicting natural forces, like hurricanes or tidal waves. Scientific bands, scientific tags or radio collars are permissible. | + | **NATURE** - The **story telling** value of a photograph **must** be weighed more than the pictorial quality while maintaining high technical quality Human elements shall not be present, except where those human elements are integral parts of the nature story such as nature subjects, like barn owls or storks, adapted to an environment modified by humans, or where those human elements are in situations depicting natural forces, like hurricanes or tidal waves. Scientific bands, scientific tags or radio collars are permissible. |
| - | **PANORAMIC** - Images may be stitched together to create a single image and/or cropped. Panorama size must have one edge at least 2 times as long as the other edge. Prints must not have any dimension of more than 30” or less than 16” on the long side. The short side must have a dimension of no more than 12” or no less than 6”. Any work greater than 20” will be considered Panorama. | + | |
| + | Photographs of all flowers and plant blossoms, hybrid or not, in any stage of development (including buds, seedpods, fruit, etc.) are ineligible - unless they are acting as an adopted habitat for eligible living organisms that are the main focus of the image*. However, small flowers may be included provided they are incidental to the main subject of the image. -- Such as a bee in the wild pollinating in a flower, its adopted habitat for the purpose. | ||
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| + | **PANORAMIC** - Images may be stitched together to create a single image and/or cropped. Panorama size must have one edge at least 2 times as long as the other edge. Prints must not have any dimension of more than 30” or less than 16” on the long side. The short side must have a dimension of no more than 12” or no less than 6”. Any work greater than 20” will be considered Panorama. | ||
| **PHOTOJOURNALISM** - Photojournalism entries shall consist of images with informative content and emotional impact, reflecting the human presence in our world. The journalistic (story-telling) value of the image shall receive priority over pictorial quality. | **PHOTOJOURNALISM** - Photojournalism entries shall consist of images with informative content and emotional impact, reflecting the human presence in our world. The journalistic (story-telling) value of the image shall receive priority over pictorial quality. | ||
| - | Note: Entrants are cautioned that the previous sentence includes any images that appear to be arranged or posed to the judges. Entrants are therefore advised that such images are likely to be disqualified (DQed). [SEE: Alterations], | + | Note: Entrants are cautioned that the previous sentence includes any images that appear to be arranged or posed to the judges. Entrants are therefore advised that such images are likely to be disqualified (DQed). [SEE: Alterations], |
| - | **PICTORIAL** - Picturesque scenes such as landscapes, seascapes or scenic views. | + | |
| - | **PICTORIAL LAND ** - Scenic photograph with land as the predominate theme. | + | **PICTORIAL** - Picturesque scenes such as landscapes, seascapes or scenic views. |
| - | **PICTORIAL SKY ** - Scenic photograph with sky as the predominate theme. | + | |
| - | **PICTORIAL WATER ** - Scenic photograph with water as the predominate theme. | + | **PICTORIAL LAND ** - Scenic photograph with land as the predominate theme. |
| - | **PORTRAIT** - Portrayal of a person or persons either posing or candid. An image is eligible for the Portrait class whether or not the image is acquired indoors – such as in a formal studio setting – or outdoors in a natural or artificial environment. Such elements include but are not limited to: the lighting, including the use of reflectors and diffusers; the arrangement of people, props; backgrounds; | + | |
| - | **STEP INTO THE PAST** - Historic sites, buildings, antiques and relics of the past. This can include images of people in period costume. | + | **PICTORIAL SKY ** - Scenic photograph with sky as the predominate theme. |
| - | **STRUCTURES** - Man-made objects such as buildings, bridges, lighthouses, | + | |
| - | **TRAVEL** - A Photo Travel image expresses the characteristic features or culture of a land as they are found naturally. There are no geographic limitations. Images from events or activities arranged specifically for photography, or of subjects directed or hired for photography are not appropriate. Close up pictures of people or objects must include features that provide information about the environment. | + | **PICTORIAL WATER ** - Scenic photograph with water as the predominate theme. |
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| + | **PORTRAIT** - Portrayal of a person or persons either posing or candid. An image is eligible for the Portrait class whether or not the image is acquired indoors – such as in a formal studio setting – or outdoors in a natural or artificial environment. Such elements include but are not limited to: the lighting, including the use of reflectors and diffusers; the arrangement of people, props; backgrounds; | ||
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| + | **STEP INTO THE PAST** - Historic sites, buildings, antiques, and relics of the past. This can include images of people in period costume. | ||
| + | |||
| + | **STRUCTURES** - Man-made objects such as buildings, bridges, lighthouses, | ||
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| + | **TRAVEL** - A Photo Travel image expresses the characteristic | ||
| For PSA Journal article clarifying this definition, (SEE: Note Clarification Photo Travel Definition), | For PSA Journal article clarifying this definition, (SEE: Note Clarification Photo Travel Definition), | ||
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| Note 2: Entrants are cautioned that the sentence on arranged events or activities includes any images that appear to be arranged to the judges even though the judges will give the benefit of the doubt to the maker. Entrants are therefore advised that such images may well be disqualified (DQed). [SEE: Alterations], | Note 2: Entrants are cautioned that the sentence on arranged events or activities includes any images that appear to be arranged to the judges even though the judges will give the benefit of the doubt to the maker. Entrants are therefore advised that such images may well be disqualified (DQed). [SEE: Alterations], | ||
| - | **VEHICLES** -Any type of vehicle (car, boat, airplane, etc.) \\ \\ | + | **VEHICLES** -Any type of vehicle (car, boat, airplane, etc.) |
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| Borders are optional, but must be 3 or 4 pixels in width and must be white or a shade of gray. | Borders are optional, but must be 3 or 4 pixels in width and must be white or a shade of gray. | ||
| - | * Nature Story, Photo Travel Content, or PJ Story as appropriate.\\ \\ | + | * Nature Story, Photo Travel Content, or PJ Story as appropriate. |
| ====== **CHECKLIST AND EXPLANATIONS OF NATURE DEFINITIONS** ====== | ====== **CHECKLIST AND EXPLANATIONS OF NATURE DEFINITIONS** ====== | ||
| - | // //(Return to Nature Open or Nature Wildlife definitions) | + | //(Return to Nature Open or Nature Wildlife definitions)// |
| - | **The following explanations of the Nature definition have been modified - and slightly augmented - from an article by Dan Charbonnet, PSA VP of Exhibition Services, that appeared in the September 2014 issue of the PSA Journal. It should be used as a checklist for those entering S4C nature competitions.**\\ \\ | + | ** The following explanations of the Nature definition have been modified - and slightly augmented - from an article by Dan Charbonnet, PSA VP of Exhibition Services, that appeared in the September 2014 issue of the PSA Journal. It should be used as a checklist for those entering S4C nature competitions.** |
| ** With regard to the definition of Nature Photography: | ** With regard to the definition of Nature Photography: | ||
| - | // (scroll down for specific comments on digital processing)\\ \\ | + | (scroll down for specific comments on digital processing) |
| - | + | ||
| - | • The definition prohibits human elements that are not an integral part of the nature story. Human elements are not limited to people or parts of people in the image. Human elements that can cause images to be disqualified, | + | |
| - | o Roads, paths, vehicle tracks, or trails \\ \\ | + | |
| - | o Fences and fence posts \\ \\ | + | |
| - | o Signs \\ \\ | + | |
| - | o Power Poles \\ \\ | + | |
| - | o Wires \\ \\ | + | |
| - | o Buildings (or parts of buildings) \\ \\ | + | |
| - | o Walls or parts of walls \\ \\ | + | |
| - | o Mowing and plowing patterns in fields \\ \\ | + | |
| - | o Cut tree stumps, cut off limbs, branches or stems \\ \\ | + | |
| - | o Jesses and thongs on legs of raptors and other birds (these are not scientific banding)\\ \\ | + | |
| - | • The definition does include some examples of human elements that are integral parts of the nature story. Other examples of allowable human elements include:\\ \\ | + | |
| - | o Birds nesting or feeding young on or in man-made objects.\\ \\ | + | |
| - | o Insects depositing eggs or egg sacs in man-made objects.\\ \\ | + | |
| - | o Animals eating fresh kills on fence posts, pilings, in roadways, etc.\\ \\ | + | |
| - | o A flood with raging water with a house or other human element floating in the flood.\\ \\ | + | |
| - | o A tornado ripping apart buildings or throwing around human elements. Such “natural force” examples show nature stories where the natural forces are out of control.\\ \\ | + | |
| - | • The keys are whether the judge considers the human element integral to the story and considers the nature story to be strong.\\ \\ | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | • The definition specifically lists domestic animals, including those that have gone feral, as not being allowed. Domestic animals are animals, such as horses, cats, dogs, poultry, cattle and sheep, that have been tamed and kept by humans as work animals, food sources, or pets, especially members of those species that have become notably different from their wild ancestors through selective breeding.\\ \\ | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | • This particular restriction does eliminate just about all the “wild” horses in the world since those in the Americas, Europe and Western Asia are feral domestic horses, not true wild horses. The only true eligible horse is the rare Przewalski’s Horse also known as the Mongolian Wild Horse. Zebras, kiangs and onagers (wild asses) are also valid eligible members of the horse family.\\ \\ | + | |
| - | • It also reinforces the exclusion of any Llamas and Alpacas because those have always been domestic animals and have no ancestors that were never domesticated.\\ \\ | + | * The definition prohibits human elements that are not an integral part of the nature story. Human elements are not limited to people or parts of people in the image. Human elements that can cause images to be disqualified, |
| - | • All Koi and goldfish are hybrids and are not allowed.\\ \\ | + | * Roads, paths, vehicle tracks, or trails |
| - | • Cultivated plants are those that are grown specifically in decorative gardens and for food. Wildflowers (that are not hybrids) planted in botanical gardens are allowed subjects in Nature Open in the same manner that wild animals in zoos are allowed subjects.\\ \\ | + | * Fences and fence posts |
| - | • Hybrid flora – including wildflowers - in general are hard to distinguish from native varieties and vice-versa, so it is often very difficult for most entrants and judges alike to determine whether flora are indeed hybrids. Entrants are advised that one or more judges may DQ an image containing flora believing in good faith that it is hybrid when in fact it is not. **Entrants are therefore cautioned of the risk taken when entering any image containing flora into a Nature competition**, | + | * Signs |
| - | • Most roses, for example, are hybrids. Native roses do not have multiple swirls of petals and come in simple shades of light red through white.\\ \\ | + | * Power Poles |
| - | • " | + | * Wires |
| - | • Star trail images created through the superimposition of multiple images (such as circumpolars) are not allowed, regardless of whether any human-created lighting is present.\\ \\ | + | * Buildings (or parts of buildings) |
| + | * Walls or parts of walls | ||
| + | * Mowing and plowing patterns in fields | ||
| + | * Cut tree stumps, cut off limbs, branches or stems | ||
| + | * Jesses and thongs on legs of raptors and other birds (these are not scientific banding) | ||
| + | * The definition does include some examples of human elements that are integral parts of the nature story. Other examples of allowable human elements include: | ||
| + | * Birds nesting or feeding young on or in man-made objects. | ||
| + | * Insects depositing eggs or egg sacs in man-made objects. | ||
| + | * Animals eating fresh kills on fence posts, pilings, in roadways, etc. | ||
| + | * A flood with raging water with a house or other human element floating in the flood. | ||
| + | * A tornado ripping apart buildings or throwing around human elements. Such “natural force” examples show nature stories where the natural forces are out of control. | ||
| + | * The keys are whether the judge considers the human element integral to the story and considers the nature story to be strong. | ||
| + | * The definition specifically lists domestic animals, including those that have gone feral, as not being allowed. Domestic animals are animals, such as horses, cats, dogs, poultry, cattle and sheep, that have been tamed and kept by humans as work animals, food sources, or pets, especially members of those species that have become notably different from their wild ancestors through selective breeding. | ||
| + | * This particular restriction does eliminate just about all the “wild” horses in the world since those in the Americas, Europe and Western Asia are feral domestic horses, not true wild horses. The only true eligible horse is the rare Przewalski’s Horse also known as the Mongolian Wild Horse. Zebras, kiangs and onagers (wild asses) are also valid eligible members of the horse family. | ||
| + | * It also reinforces the exclusion of any Llamas and Alpacas because those have always been domestic animals and have no ancestors that were never domesticated. | ||
| + | | ||
| + | | ||
| + | * " | ||
| + | | ||
| - | **With regard to digital processing in Nature Photography**: | + | **With regard to digital processing in Nature Photography**: |
| - | • The definition does not allow replacing the background of the image, adding additional content from another image, or cloning out content from your original image. This restriction of cloning out content includes what may appear inconsequential, | + | |
| - | • Adding pictorial elements to the image or removing pictorial elements from the image is not permitted.\\ \\ | + | |
| - | • **Adjustments are allowed that enhance the image without changing the content, including: | + | |
| - | exposure (globally and selectively), | + | |
| - | • Deliberately blurring the background is not allowed.\\ \\ | + | |
| - | • **Adding a vignette not originally produced by the camera is not allowed.**\\ \\ | + | |
| - | • | + | |
| ====== **CLARIFICATIONS CONCERNING THE UPDATED PHOTO TRAVEL DEFINITION** ====== | ====== **CLARIFICATIONS CONCERNING THE UPDATED PHOTO TRAVEL DEFINITION** ====== | ||
| - | For all PSA-recognized Photo Travel (PT) exhibitions and Interclub PT competitions closing after December 31, 2015, an updated Photo Travel Definition will apply. This definition reads as follows (major changes from the previous 2012 Definition are in bold type): | + | For all PSA-recognized Photo Travel (PT) exhibitions and Interclub PT competitions closing after December 31, 2015, an updated Photo Travel Definition will apply. This definition reads as follows (major changes from the previous 2012 Definition are in bold type): |
| - | A Photo Travel image expresses the characteristic features or culture of a land as they **are found naturally**. There are no geographic limitations. **Images from events or activities arranged specifically for photography, | + | A Photo Travel image expresses the characteristic features or culture of a land as they **are found naturally**. There are no geographic limitations. **Images from events or activities arranged specifically for photography, |
| - | Why was the definition updated? This has to do with the fact that the Photo Travel Division is a reality-based division, like the Nature and Photojournalism Divisions. The object of Photo Travel is not just to produce good images, but to portray and communicate the world as we find it, rather than as we can arrange it to obtain THE best photograph. Our world is an infinitely interesting and varied place. We want to explore, capture and present it as it is, in its many interesting manifestations, | + | Why was the definition updated? This has to do with the fact that the Photo Travel Division is a reality-based division, like the Nature and Photojournalism Divisions. The object of Photo Travel is not just to produce good images, but to portray and communicate the world as we find it, rather than as we can arrange it to obtain THE best photograph. Our world is an infinitely interesting and varied place. We want to explore, capture and present it as it is, in its many interesting manifestations, |
| - | The update concerning image manipulation is relatively easy to understand and follow,both for photographers and judges. Compared to the previous definition, it was simply made more precise. | + | The update concerning image manipulation is relatively easy to understand and follow,both for photographers and judges. Compared to the previous definition, it was simply made more precise. |
| - | The update concerning setup situations is a guideline for photographers to follow, rather than for judges to discern. Many setup situations are not obvious to the person who has not been there. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, even a judge who suspects a setup needs to give the photographer the benefit of the doubt. However, if the same type of image shows up in exhibition after exhibition, this may be a contrived situation created for the purpose of giving a small number of people a better shot at winning a medal. | + | The update concerning setup situations is a guideline for photographers to follow, rather than for judges to discern. Many setup situations are not obvious to the person who has not been there. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, even a judge who suspects a setup needs to give the photographer the benefit of the doubt. However, if the same type of image shows up in exhibition after exhibition, this may be a contrived situation created for the purpose of giving a small number of people a better shot at winning a medal. |
| - | In the sentence **“Images from…”** the emphasis is on **“arranged specifically…”** and **“subjects directed or hired…”** In order to illustrate the specific meaning, let’s assume someone photographs a reenactment of a civil war battle or a festival and submits this to a PT exhibition. No problem, because the people that were doing this were not hired or directed specifically for the photograph to be taken. | + | In the sentence **“Images from…”** the emphasis is on **“arranged specifically…”** and **“subjects directed or hired…”** In order to illustrate the specific meaning, let’s assume someone photographs a reenactment of a civil war battle or a festival and submits this to a PT exhibition. No problem, because the people that were doing this were not hired or directed specifically for the photograph to be taken. |
| - | Is it okay to tip a subject? Yes, if the subject is doing what they would substantially be doing without being photographed, | + | Is it okay to tip a subject? Yes, if the subject is doing what they would substantially be doing without being photographed, |
| - | Photo Travellers are ambassadors to other people and cultures. We do not want to contribute significantly to the distortions that are taking place as a result of the business that is being made out of hiring or directing native people to act in unnatural ways for the purpose of tourist photography. | + | Photo Travellers are ambassadors to other people and cultures. We do not want to contribute significantly to the distortions that are taking place as a result of the business that is being made out of hiring or directing native people to act in unnatural ways for the purpose of tourist photography. |
| - | The other three PSA divisions, Projected Images, Pictorial Prints and 3D do not have definitions that limit the subjects of their images. In other words, any subject matter can be submitted to those exhibitions, | + | The other three PSA divisions, Projected Images, Pictorial Prints and 3D do not have definitions that limit the subjects of their images. In other words, any subject matter can be submitted to those exhibitions, |
| If you have further questions about this definition, please contact me at ptd-chair@psa-photo.org. Tom Tauber, EPSA Chair, Photo Travel Division | If you have further questions about this definition, please contact me at ptd-chair@psa-photo.org. Tom Tauber, EPSA Chair, Photo Travel Division | ||
competitions/classdefinitions.1449892332.txt.gz · Last modified: 2015/12/12 03:52 by douglaspaulwade