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competitions:classdefinitions [2015/12/12 04:12]
douglaspaulwade [**CHECKLIST AND EXPLANATIONS OF NATURE DEFINITIONS**] 		competitions:classdefinitions [2025/05/03 17:05] (current)
kathyn
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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.  If an image has received an HM, the image may be re-used in other LPA competitions other than the original class it won the HM.\\ \\ If B&W is not prohibited, then it’s allowed and the same with color. For Reality based classes (Nature, Travel and Photojournalism), please read “Notes: Alterations, Restorations & Borders” at the end of the definitions for further explanations and restrictions+Once an image has received an Award (1st, 2nd, 3rd, EA) it cannot be re-used in any other LPA competitions.  If an image has received an HM, the image may be re-used in other LPA competitions other than the original class it won the HM. 
 + 
 +If B&W is not prohibited, then it’s allowed and the same with color. For Reality based classes (Nature, Travel and Photojournalism), please read “Notes: Alterations, Restorations & Borders” at the end of the definitions for further explanations and restrictions
  
 **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.  **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). \\ \\ +**ACTION** - Motion being portrayed as the dominant theme, includes sports.  
-**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, and computer manipulation. The image should have **strong composition, pleasing quality**, and **color, texture, pattern**, and/or **tone impact**.  The appropriateness of the technique selected and **pictorial** merit is considered in judging. Small amounts of manipulating images (changing opacity, using filters, adding text, fantasy or textured backgrounds, etc) is NOT considered Creative. The content is unrestricted. \\ \\ +**ANIMALS** -Animals depicted as the main theme (excludes birds).  
-**DESERT SCENES** - Scenes depicting the environment, plants, animals and birds of the southwestern deserts. Excludes scenes dominated by desert wildflowers. \\ \\ + 
-**DESERT WILDFLOWERS** - Close-ups and landscapes dominated by desert wildflowers. \\ \\ +**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.  
-**FLOWERS** - Single or multiple blossoms of one or more plants, excluding Desert Wildflowers. \\ \\+ 
 +**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, and computer manipulation. The image should have **strong composition, pleasing quality**, and **color, texture, pattern**, and/or **tone impact**.  The appropriateness of the technique selected and **pictorial** merit is considered in judging. Small amounts of manipulating images (changing opacity, using filters, adding text, fantasy or textured backgrounds, etc) is NOT considered Creative. The content is unrestricted.  
 + 
 +**DESERT SCENES** - Scenes depicting the environment, plants, animals and birds of the southwestern deserts. Excludes scenes dominated by desert wildflowers.  
 + 
 +**DESERT WILDFLOWERS** - Close-ups and landscapes dominated by desert wildflowers.  
 + 
 +**FLOWERS (5/2016 Competition only)** - Single or multiple blossoms of one or more plants, including 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, emotional or  unusual situation, excluding recreational or organized sports action. Guidelines for Human Interest Images.  [SEE: Alterations], [SEE: Note], [SEE: Borders]  \\ \\ +Human Interest is defined as an image depicting a person or persons in an interactive, emotional or  unusual situation, excluding recreational or organized sports action. Guidelines for Human Interest Images.  [SEE: Alterations], [SEE: Note], [SEE: Borders]  
-**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. \\ \\+
  
-A greyscale or multi-colored image that gives the impression of having been modified by partial toning, multi-toning, or by the inclusion of spot coloring does not meet the definition of Monochrome. \\ \\+**MACRO** - Macro photography is extreme close-up photography, usually of very small subjects, in which the size of the subject in the photograph is greater than life size. In practice, this usually means the subject is smaller than 2"x2".  
 + 
 +**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, or by the inclusion of spot coloring does not meet the definition of Monochrome. 
  
 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; pleasing quality; and texture, pattern, and/or tone impact. The content is unrestricted. 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; pleasing quality; and texture, pattern, and/or tone impact. The content is unrestricted.
- \\ \\ + 
-**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.  Photographs of human created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domestic animals, or mounted specimens are ineligible, as is any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement. Something that exists in nature: insects, butterflies, spiders, trees & leaves, etc., Nature can have landscapes, geologic formations, weather phenomena, and extant organisms as the primary subject matter. This includes images taken with the subjects in controlled conditions, such as zoos, game farms, botanical gardens, aquariums and any enclosure where the subjects are totally dependent on man for food.  [SEE: Note], [SEE: Borders], [SEE: Checklist and Explanations of Nature Definitions]  \\ \\ +**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.  Photographs of human created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domestic animals, or mounted specimens are ineligible, as is any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement. Something that exists in nature: insects, butterflies, spiders, trees & leaves, etc., Nature can have landscapes, geologic formations, weather phenomena, and extant organisms as the primary subject matter. This includes images taken with the subjects in controlled conditions, such as zoos, game farms, botanical gardens, aquariums and any enclosure where the subjects are totally dependent on man for food.  [SEE: Note], [SEE: Borders], [SEE: Checklist and Explanations of Nature Definitions]  
-**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.  Less than or equal to 20” (long side) but is 8” or greater (minimum short side), could also be entered in other classes. \\ \\ + 
 +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. 
 +  
 + 
 +**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.  Less than or equal to 20” (long side) but is 8” or greater (minimum short side), could also be entered in other classes.  
 **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.  In the interest of credibility, images that misrepresent the truth, such as those from events or activities specifically arranged for photography or of subjects directed or hired for photography, are not eligible.  **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.  In the interest of credibility, images that misrepresent the truth, such as those from events or activities specifically arranged for photography or of subjects directed or hired for photography, are not eligible. 
  
-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], [SEE: Note], [SEE: Borders] \\ \\ +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], [SEE: Note], [SEE: Borders]  
-**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; makeup; or apparel. \\ \\ + 
-**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, etc. EXCLUDES VEHICLES. \\ \\ + 
-**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.  
 + 
 +**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; makeup; or apparel.  
 + 
 +**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, etc. EXCLUDES VEHICLES.  
 + 
 +**TRAVEL** - A Photo Travel image expresses the characteristic or distinctive physical features or distinctive culture of a country, region or continent 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 surrounding environment. Time exposures are allowed if they do not dominate the image as a special effect (no star trails, etc).  
  
 For PSA Journal article clarifying this definition, (SEE: Note Clarification Photo Travel Definition), however, S4C uses a uniform definition regarding alterations for all 3 reality-based divisions (see Alterations below). For PSA Journal article clarifying this definition, (SEE: Note Clarification Photo Travel Definition), however, S4C uses a uniform definition regarding alterations for all 3 reality-based divisions (see Alterations below).
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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], [SEE: Note], [SEE: Borders] \\ \\ 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], [SEE: Note], [SEE: Borders] \\ \\
-**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** ====== 
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   * All Koi and goldfish are hybrids and are not allowed.   * All Koi and goldfish are hybrids and are not allowed.
   * 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.   * 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.
-  * 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**, and are advised to check carefully before entering such an image. 
-  * 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. 
   * "Slow" water (longer exposures) is allowed.   * "Slow" water (longer exposures) is allowed.
   * 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.   * 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.
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 ====== **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, 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. Techniques that add, relocate, replace or remove any element of the original image, except by cropping, are not permitted. **The only allowable adjustments are removal of dust or digital noise, restoration of the appearance of the original scene,** and complete conversion to grayscale monochrome. Other derivations, including infrared, are not permitted. All allowed adjustments must appear natural. \\ \\+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. Techniques that add, relocate, replace or remove any element of the original image, except by cropping, are not permitted. **The only allowable adjustments are removal of dust or digital noise, restoration of the appearance of the original scene,** and complete conversion to grayscale monochrome. Other derivations, including infrared, are not permitted. All allowed adjustments must appear natural.
  
-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, rather than photographing the same limited number of setup situations over and over (think camels wandering the dunes at sunset) or to post-process the image to the point where it deviates substantially from the original scene. \\ \\+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, rather than photographing the same limited number of setup situations over and over (think camels wandering the dunes at sunset) or to post-process the image to the point where it deviates substantially from the original scene. 
  
-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, if it’s a small tip, and if the behavior, dress or posture was not specifically managed for the primary purpose of obtaining a better photograph. \\ \\+Is it okay to tip a subject? Yes, if the subject is doing what they would substantially be doing without being photographed, if it’s a small tip, and if the behavior, dress or posture was not specifically managed for the primary purpose of obtaining a better photograph. 
  
-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, including camels wandering the dunes at sunset hired for that purpose. \\ \\+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, including camels wandering the dunes at sunset hired for that purpose. 
  
 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.1449893542.txt.gz · Last modified: 2015/12/12 04:12 by douglaspaulwade

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