Preparing Images for Competition - Guidelines



©2006 Susan Diederichsen
DIGITAL IMAGE DISPLAY & RETENTION POLICY (as of Aug 17, 2007)

All members submitting images (print or digital) to PACC competitions do so with the understanding that in the event these images receive awards, the members are granting permission to the club to display small versions of the images (currently no greater than 250 pixels high) on the club's website. Digital images submitted by club members for club competition and/or display on the club website will not be shared with others, except for affiliated clubs such as MPPA (Midpeninsula Photographic Alliance), and they will not be used by the club for any other purpose without written permission of the maker.

The full policy is available as a PDF file here. It includes information about opting out of this policy.


GENERAL

  • Make sure subject meets criteria for the category. See definitions and guidelines.
  • Is there a central focus or point of interest? 
  • Is it technically satisfactory - composition, exposure, focus? 
  • Members must be present at meetings where they have submitted images
DIGITAL IMAGES

(limit 3 per member, no more than 2 per category)
  • See separate page for preparation and submission of digital images
PRINTS

(limit 3 per member, with no more than 2 in any one category)

New members who are not yet able to make digital prints and mounts should consider:
  • Prints must be mounted, and preferably covered with an overlying window mat. No glass frames please. The maximum recommended height for mounted prints size is 24 inches; panorama prints wider than 24 inches are acceptable, but the maker should know that illumination may be compromised at the far sides. In order to protect the surface of others' prints that may be in contact with your prints the bottom (back) board on which your print is mounted must be no smaller than the outer edge of the front window mat, and there should be no protrusions on this board that might cause damage to another print . If you have any questions please consult the Print Chair. ( - Aug 24, 2007)
  • Do NOT enter your NAME anywhere on the front of the mount or window mat. Entering the title beneath the left lower corner is optional
  • Use PACC labels to enter Title, Category, +/- Level (for Pictorial Color only - A or B), your name, and date of entry. Place the label on the back of the mount, in the nearest empty space to the top left corner.

     An MS Word file consistng of a sheet of 3 Print labels (Rev 4-18-08) can be downloaded from our website.  Typing the above entry information will facilitate reading by the Print Chairs, thereby enabling the competition to run more smoothly. The form includes both a print label and a separate label strip for attachment to the Print Entry form used by the Chair as a record of entries on competition evenings. (The classic green labels will remain available for those without a PC or Internet access until our supply is exhausted.)
  • The same image may be entered on more than one occasion (provided it has not previously received a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place award), in the same or different (& suitable) category

  •  Level (for Pictorial Color only):  New members are encouraged to view prints submitted by others before deciding at which level they feel comfortable to enter in competition. If uncertain, consult with our Membership Chair (see list of Club Officers) or another experienced member for their opinion of your work.
  • Please arrive at the meeting at least 10-15 minutes before the scheduled start, to allow time for entering your name and image title on the appropriate entry sheets (one for each category). This also enables time for informal chat with other members
JUDGES
 Judges are volunteers who are usually experienced amateur (or occasionally professional) photographers and are generally members of other camera clubs in the Bay Area. They are familiar with the rules for entries, (most) undergo training as judges thru N4C, and they do their best to provide an informative and constructive assessment of the pros and cons of each entry. Like all of us, their assessments are to a certain extent subjective, and this may explain why good entries that meet all the rules may receive different assessments and awards. Some judges are more adept at discussing the artistic merits and weaknesses of an image than others, while others are fussy about seemingly minor technical 'flaws'. This is a fact of life we must accept. We are very fortunate that these individuals take the time to travel here, often from a great distance, to spend an evening at the club to help us all improve our photographic skills and images. 
Questions or comments? info at pacamera dot com (change words to punctuation in email)

Updated:  Apr 18, 2008

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