These guidelines are designed to help society members when taking or selecting photos for competitions. The guidelines will be sent to all judges so that they will know the parameters Society members have had access to before submitting their images.
Judges’ assessments of images and interpretations of the guidelines are those of the judges.
Record – Non-artistic images which show accurate detail of an inanimate object eg a gauge, a lego character, a gateway, a door, a building, a vehicle. The title needs to be descriptive, informing the viewer of what the subject is, where it is; and if applicable, its size (e.g - metal plaque on St Edmonds Church in Luton; 2 ft tall and 1 ft wide.)'
Creative – Images submitted in this category must be based on the photographers own original photo or photos.
Scapes / Land, Sea, Urban etc - Images should be a view of scenery of any kind that embodies the spirit of the outdoors in that location. The view or environment portrayed (land, sea, urban etc) should be the principle focus of the image; however more than one environment may be portrayed in a single image. The title can help indicate where the intended focus should be.
Portrait – animal or human. Images should aim to capture the spirit and character of the subject which could be a group. This may be a head and shoulder shot, full body length or the subject/s within their environment. The subject/s can be posed or candid and not necessarily looking at the camera.
Pictorial – Images here can be of any subject.
Monochrome / Black and White – Images must range in tone from very dark grey (black) to very clear grey (white). A black and white image toned entirely in a single colour will remain a monochrome. This would include sepia. NB: Black and white images with a selective colour component are a colour image not a monochrome one and should be entered in Pictorial.
Wildlife – Images should document wildlife in its natural environment. All branches of natural history are included, but excluded are life forms such as cultivated plants, pets, and zoo animals that are removed from their natural environment. Providing a Latin name may help ensure that the image is judged in the right category.
Nature – This covers all branches of nature – flora, fauna, geology, weather, and so on. In this category there are not the imposed conditions as indicated in the Wildlife Category. To illustrate : An orchid in your living room = Nature shot. An orchid on a river bank = wildlife shot. Eagle in a falconry display = nature shot. Eagle in the wild =wildlife