• 1.0 BASIC RULES
  • 1.1 COMPETITIONS HELD
  • 1.2 CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
  • 1.3 SUBMISSION FORMATS
  • 1.4 SUBMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
  • 1.5 RECORDS
  • 1.6 PREPARATION OF IMAGES FOR ENTRY INTO COMPETITION
• 2.0 MONTHLY COMPETITION RULES
  • 2.1 LEVELS
  • 2.2 CATEGORIES
  • 2.3 COMPETITION SCHEDULE
  • 2.4 SUBMISSION FORMATS
  • 2.5 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
  • 2.6 JUDGING AND AWARDS
  • 2.7 CATEGORY HIGH POINT AVERAGE AWARDS
• 3.0 CATEGORY RULES
  • 3.1 NATURE CATEGORY
  • 3.2 CREATIVE CATEGORY
  • 3.3 GENERAL (PICTORIAL) CATEGORY
• 4.0 ADVANCEMENT
  • 4.1 ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE
  • 4.2 MID-YEAR ADVANCEMENT TO LEVEL A OR AA
  • 4.3 PETITIONING FOR ENTRY ADVANCEMENT & ADVANCEMENT TO LEVEL A OR AA
  • 4.4 ADVANCEMENT TO MASTER LEVEL
• 5.0 AL SHELTON TROPHY COMPETITION
  • 5.1 LEVELS
  • 5.2 CATEGORIES
  • 5.3 COMPETITION SCHEDULE
  • 5.4 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
  • 5.5 JUDGING AND AWARDS
• 6.0 SCILACCI PHOTO IMAGE CHALLENGE (PIC)
  • 6.1 LEVELS
  • 6.2 SUBJECTS
  • 6.3 COMPETITION SCHEDULE
  • 6.4 SUBMISSION FORMATS
  • 6.5 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
  • 6.6 JUDGING AND AWARDS
• 7.0 END OF YEAR COMPETITIONS
  • 7.1 COMPETITIONS
  • 7.2 COMPETITION SCHEDULE
  • 7.3 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
  • 7.4 JUDGING AND AWARDS
• 8.0 Trial Nature Rules
  • 3.0 Category Rules
  • 3.1 Nature Category

1.0 BASIC RULES

• 1.1 COMPETITIONS HELD
  • 1.1.1 Competition which determines advancement; Monthly Competition: January—November (see 2.0)
  • 1.1.2 Other Competitions
    • 1.1.2.1 Scilacci Photo Image Challenge (PIC): February—October (see 6.0)
    • 1.1.2.2 End of Year Competitions: November (see 7.0)
    • 1.1.2.3 Al Shelton Trophy Competition: January (see 5.0)
• 1.2 CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
  • 1.2.1 All full and honorary members may enter club competitions.
  • 1.2.2 Members will not be required to be present to compete; however, it is understood that absences will be the exception. (This rule does not apply to the End of Year and Al Shelton competitions.)
• 1.3 SUBMISSION FORMATS
  Three submission formats are acceptable: Slides, Prints, and Electronic Images. The formats are judged together. For the appropriate submission formats for each competition, see specific Competition Rules.
• 1.4 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
  • 1.4.1 The original image and any components must be made by the entrant or composed by and then exposed under the immediate personal supervision and direction of the member. Images may not incorporate elements produced by anyone else.
  • 1.4.2 Images must originate as photographs (image-captures of objects via light sensitivity) made by the entrant on photographic emulsion or acquired digitally.
  • 1.4.3 Any modification of a slide or electronic image entry must be made by the member. Any modification of a print entry must be made by or under the direction of the member.
  • 1.4.4 Non-photographic artwork or computer graphics may not be incorporated in the image.
• 1.5 RECORDS
  • 1.5.1 The Competition Chair shall keep a record of each competition as a basis for
    determining awards and advancement.
  • 1.5.2 Records will be kept for a period of 5 years.
• 1.6 PREPARATION OF IMAGES FOR ENTRY INTO COMPETITION
  • 1.6.1 Slide Preparation
    • 1.6.1.1 Labeling
      • 1.6.1.1.1 Hold the slide so it is oriented the way you want it to be viewed on the screen.
      • 1.6.1.1.2 Rotate the slide so that it is upside down (do not turn the slide over).
      • 1.6.1.1.3 Place the slide down on a surface for marking as shown: (see PDF of rules).
      • 1.6.1.1.4 On the top of the upside-down slide, print the title clearly (title should not exceed 30 characters, including spaces) and apply a thumb mark, either a round sticker or dark filled circle, in the right corner.
      • 1.6.1.1.5 On the bottom of the upside down slide, give competition-related information:
        • 1.6.1.1.5.1 For the Monthly Slide Competition, mark the category and level.
        • 1.6.1.1.5.2 For Photo Image Challenge, mark “PIC.”
      • 1.6.1.1.6 Turn the slide over left to right (not top to bottom) and print your name on the reverse side of the upside-down slide.
    • 1.6.1.2 Other
      • 1.6.1.2.1 Remounting of slides and cropping of the image are permitted.
      • 1.6.1.2.2 Slides that cause projector problems may be rejected.
  • 1.6.2 Print Preparation
    • 1.6.2.1 Labeling
      • 1.6.2.1.1 Each print must have the following information on the back: name of maker, title of print (title should not exceed 30 characters, including spaces), subject category (Nature, Creative, or General), and level (B, A, AA, or Master).
      • 1.6.2.1.2 The photographer’s name must not be visible on the front of the print; if there, it may be covered with tape.
    • 1.6.2.2 Size restrictions and display
      • 1.6.2.2.1 Minimum image size is 6x8 or 48 square inches.  Maximum image size is 16x20 or 320 square inches.  For non-standard images (excluding Polaroid transfer), no image side may be greater than 20 inches nor less than 6 inches and may not exceed 320 square inches. The maximum frame or mat size is 22x28 or 616 square inches. 
      • 1.6.2.2.2 Prints are to be securely mounted to a mat board.
      • 1.6.2.2.3 Prints may be over-matted and/or in frames.
  • 1.6.3 Electronic Image Preparation
    • 1.6.3.1 Definition of electronic image An electronic image is produced in one of two ways: a) captured with a digital camera and processed in a computer, or b) captured on film, scanned into a computer, and processed in the computer. The image is then transmitted electronically through e-mail or via CD and, in club competition, is projected on screen by means of a digital projector.
    • 1.6.3.2 Image Attributes
      • 1.6.3.2.1 Image should be in 8-bit mode.
      • 1.6.3.2.2 Images should be submitted in JPEG format with a maximum width of 1024 pixels and a maximum height of 768 pixels. Either dimension may be smaller than the maximum. Image quality should be set to at least 8 or High.
    • 1.6.3.3 Image submission
      • 1.6.3.3.1 E-mail transmission
        (Information also contained in a separate document, Guidelines for Preparing Electronic Images for SRPS Competition Submission. version 2.08)
        • 1.6.3.3.1.1    For each image, create a file name that contains the following information: image title (title should not exceed 30 characters, including spaces), your name, subject category abbreviation (N for Nature, C for Creative, G for General), level (B, A, AA, Master), and the date of the competition to be entered (MMYY), with a JPG extension on the file name. Example:
          Sonoma Coast Sunset-John Smith-N-B-0105.jpg.
          
        • 1.6.3.3.1.2 Attach all images for a given competition to one e-mail. Indicate in the body of the e-mail which competition the submission is for and list the file names. Send the e-mail to the Competition Committee's Digital Image Collector (srpselim@sonic.net) by the stated deadline.
      • 1.6.3.3.2 CD submission Images may be submitted by CD, provided that complete submission information is included and entry meets other requirements. (See 1.6.3.3.1.1.)
      • 1.6.3.3.3 Images may be rejected if they are not received on time, are not correctly submitted, or, in the case of Nature, do not conform to the rules of the category.

2.0 MONTHLY COMPETITION RULES

• 2.1 LEVELS
  • 2.1.1 Each member will compete in one of four levels:
    B, entry level
    A, second level
    AA, third level
    Master, fourth level.
  • 2.1.2 New members start at the B level unless advanced to the A level per 4.2. No new member will start higher than the A level.
  • 2.1.3 Re-entering members may be reinstated at the level previously attained.
  • 2.1.4 Members will compete in their respective levels (B, A, AA, Master) in each subject category.
  • 2.1.5 In the event there are four or fewer members in the Master level, those members shall compete in the AA level competition, but their scores shall be kept separately. When there are at least five members at the Master level, a Master level shall be formed.
• 2.2 CATEGORIES
  There are three subject categories in the Monthly Competition: Nature, Creative, and General. (See Category Rules in 3.0)
• 2.3 COMPETITION SCHEDULE
  • 2.3.1 Monthly competitions are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month, January through November.
  • 2.3.2 Competitions in all three subject categories - Nature, General, and Creative - are included in the monthly competitions.
• 2.4 SUBMISSION FORMATS
  Three submission formats are acceptable: Slides, Prints, and Electronic Images. The formats are judged together.
• 2.5 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
  • 2.5.1 A maximum of two images per member may be entered in each Monthly Competition. The entries may be divided among the Slide, Print, and Electronic Image formats, as well as among the subject categories, in any way the member chooses.
  • 2.5.2 An image may be entered a maximum of three times. Submitting the image in a different format does not allow for additional submissions.
  • 2.5.3 Any image winning 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in any category may not be submitted in the Monthly Competition again in any format, but may be entered in the Monthly End of Year Competition and in PIC or other special competitions as appropriate.
  • 2.5.4 Identical or substantially similar images may not be entered in two subject categories or in two or three different competition formats on the same evening.
• 2.6 JUDGING AND AWARDS
  • 2.6.1 A qualified, non-member judge scores and critiques each entry. Entries are scored on a scale from 40 to 100.
  • 2.6.2 In the event no qualified, non-member judge is available, a panel of three club members will score and critique the entries. Members may not judge a category where they have an entry. Each judge will use a paddle for scoring. The paddle marks will relate to the numerical scale in 2.6.1.
  • 2.6.3 One 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbon is awarded in each level of each subject category. In case of ties, the judge(s) will review the images to determine which ribbon, if any, will be awarded to each image.
  • 2.6.4 If only three or four entries are submitted in a given level and category, two fewer
    ribbons than entries will be awarded unless ties require awarding more ribbons.
  • 2.6.5 If only one or two entries are submitted in a given level and category, they will be
    critiqued and scored, but no ribbons will be awarded.
  • 2.6.6 All ribbon winners will be eligible to compete in the Monthly End of Year
    Competition (see 7.0). When there have been insufficient entries for the awarding of ribbons, but an image has received a score of 96 or higher that image shall also be eligible to compete in the Monthly End of Year Competition.
• 2.7 CATEGORY HIGH POINT AVERAGE AWARDS
  • 2.7.1 At the end of the year, High Point Average awards are given at each level of each category to the members with the highest and second highest average scores. A tie in averages will result in multiple High Point Average awards.
  • 2.7.2 To be eligible for High Points, the member must have met the overall requirement of 15 total submissions for the year and must have had 6 submissions in a competition category - Nature, Creative, General - in order to qualify in that category.
  • 2.7.3 Entries submitted in the Slide, Print, and Electronic Image formats are totaled to determine the overall number of entries submitted. The possible submissions during the year total 22. Since the submission requirements of the three categories total 18 entries, technically a member may win multiple High Point Average awards. 

3.0 CATEGORY RULES

• 3.1 NATURE CATEGORY
  The Nature Category encourages club members to look more closely at the natural scene and to develop a heightened awareness and appreciation of nature, while promoting members' camera skill through the documentary approach.
  • 3.1.1 PHOTOGRAPHIC AND POST-CAMERA REQUIREMENTS
    • 3.1.1.1 The image should be presented as seen in the field and as shot in the camera. No elements from other images may be added; no elements may be removed, except by cropping.
    • 3.1.1.2 Filters that compensate for atmospheric and light problems by adjusting the overall tone quality of the image may be used, and the equivalent overall adjustment may be made in the darkroom or the on the computer. However, such optimization should be minimal. Adjustments to specific areas within the image are not allowed. The one exception is that split neutral density filters which enable light in high-contrast images to be controlled may be used and the equivalent effect may be applied in the darkroom or computer.
    • 3.1.1.3 Dust and water spots from lenses and digital sensors, since they are not actually part of the photographed image, may be removed.
  • 3.1.2 NATURE DEFINITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
    • 3.1.2.1 Image must depict observations from any branch of natural history except anthropology or archaeology. The image should emphasize the nature story.
    • 3.1.2.2 Human elements shall not be present, except that minimal portions of human elements are acceptable if they relate to animal habitat or behavior, such as a bit of barn with a barn owl or a bit of fence post where a hawk is sitting. The presence of scientific bands on wild animals is acceptable.
    • 3.1.2.3 Details and color information are part of documentation. This black & white or infrared images, monotones (unless resulting from natural conditions), silhouettes, and soft focus and macro approaches that do not show natures as it is generally seen in the field would not belong in this category.
  • 3.1.3 COMPETITION FACTORS
    • 3.1.3.1 A designated reviewer with power of rejection will determine conformity to the Nature rules.
    • 3.1.3.2 In judging, scoring should be based on photographic excellence and strength of the nature story depicted. A well-informed person must be able to identify the subject and to certify to its honest presentation.
    • 3.1.3.3 Title should not be more than 30 characters long, including spaces, and must identify the subject matter. Title should be specific if possible, but general titles are acceptable. Cute titles and those that do not identify the subject may lead to disqualification. Labeling instructions must be followed exactly. (See 1.6.)
  • 3.1.4 CLARIFICATIONS
    • 3.1.4.1 Elements not accepted: Anything domesticated, cultivated, hybrid, manmade, mounted specimens, artificial arrangements, jet trails, etc.
    • 3.1.4.2 Accepted elements: Naturalized plants, feral animals, captive wildlife, uncultivated plans in natural and adopted habitats. (An adopted habitat is one in which a non-native plant or animal can survive, reproduce, and spread on its own.) Threatened and endangered flowers maintained by conservatories, botanical gardens, and private collectors may be submitted in Nature. However, hybrid plans photographed at these locations may not.
• 3.2 CREATIVE CATEGORY
  The Creative Category encourages the development of imagination and promotes experimentation and exploration. The creative image takes the photographic image beyond the straightforward.
  • 3.2.1 PHOTOGRAPHIC REQUIREMENTS
    The maker may use any technique or modification whether applied in the camera, in the darkroom or in the computer. Images acquired through straightforward photography but which render a subject in a manner not usually perceived or photographed may be included in the Creative Category. The emphasis is placed on the final appearance of the image. The image, no matter how created, should exhibit a departure from realism by creativity of subject matter and/or photographic manipulation.
  • 3.2.2 CREATIVE DEFINITIONS
    • 3.2.2.1 Techniques include montages, sandwiches, composites, and multiple exposures as well as images that result from digital manipulation or other major alteration such as burnt film. In this category, manipulations/alteration goes well beyond the usual darkroom optimizations.
    • 3.2.2.2 Both realistic and creative/artistic images are placed in this category if they have been achieved through these techniques. The final image should be substantially different from the original image. All components must have originated as a photographic capture and must have been created by the maker.
  • 3.2.3 COMPETITION FACTORS
    • 3.2.3.1 Judges are encouraged to base scores on originality and on visual and emotional impact.
    • 3.2.3.2 Title should not be more than 30 characters long, including spaces, but otherwise is not restricted. Labeling instructions must be followed exactly. (See, 1,6.)
• 3.3 GENERAL (PICTORIAL) CATEGORY
  The General Category encourages the development of camera and digital darkroom skills using a pictorial approach to the capture of images. Members are encouraged to strive for image excellence.
  • 3.3.1 PHOTOGRAPHIC AND POST-CAMERA REQUIREMENTS
    • 3.3.1.1 Images may reflect any style of type of photography. The emphasis is placed on the final appearance of the image. If the image appears to be a realistic subject, it is included in the General Category regardless of how the image arrived at its final presentation. Black and white and composite images are appropriate for this category provided they are pictorial representations of the subject.
    • 3.3.1.2 Image optimization may include cropping and the standard darkroom adjustments, both overall and to specific areas, done either in the darkroom or on the computer. (More extreme manipulation belongs in Creative.)
    • 3.3.2.3 Dust and water spots from lenses and digital sensors, since they are not actually part of the photographed image, may be removed.
  • 3.3.2 GENERAL DEFINITIONS
    • 3.3.2.1 Images are not confined to any particular subject, type, or style of photography. Any subject may be submitted, limited only by the confines of good taste and social acceptability.
  • 3.3.3 COMPETITION FACTORS
    • 3.3.3.1 Judges are encouraged to base scores on technical excellences, composition and visual impact.
    • 3.3.3.2 Title should not be more than 30 characters long, including spaces, but otherwise is not restricted. Labeling instructions must be followed exactly. (See, 1,6.)

4.0 ADVANCEMENT

• 4.1 ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE
  • 4.1.1 The Advancement Committee, under the direction of the Vice President, shall determine which members meet the qualifications for advancement. This entails reviewing petitions to enter the Club at A level, deciding on petitions for advancement during the year, reviewing the year’s competition results to determine which members are eligible for automatic advancement, and confirming that candidates for the Master level have satisfied all requirements. End-of-Year advancement and Master’s eligibility shall be announced at the Annual Awards Banquet.
  • 4.1.2 The Advancement Committee shall consist of the Competition Chair and two members appointed by the Vice President, with the Vice President serving as an alternate. At least one of the three regular members shall be a Master.
  • 4.1.3 In the event that the Vice President or Competition Chair becomes eligible for advancement, the decision on that advancement shall be made by the remaining members. Should an appointed member become eligible for advancement after appointment, that member will be replaced by the Vice President or by a new appointee who is not eligible for advancement.
• 4.2 PETITIONING FOR ENTRY ADVANCEMENT AND MID-YEAR ADVANCEMENT
  • 4.2.1 While new Club members generally enter at B level, those with higher levels of skill and experience may petition to enter at A level by submitting to the Vice President 20 images for Advancement Committee review. The Advancement Committee will decide on the appropriate placement level.
  • 4.2.2 At any time during the year, a B or A level member may request advancement to the next level by submitting to the Vice President 20 images for Advancement Committee review. The Advancement Committee will decide on the appropriate placement level.
  • 4.2.3 Should a member move to a new level as the result of petitioning, points already earned at the lower level are not transferable to the higher level. In addition, only those images receiving 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place ribbons in the member’s new level shall be eligible for the Monthly End of Year Competition.
• 4.3 END OF YEAR ADVANCEMENT TO LEVEL A OR AA
  • 4.3.1 Following the End-of-Year Competition in November, the Vice President will receive from the Competition Chair the Chair’s recommendations for automatic advancement from B to A level and from A to AA level. The Competition Chair may also recommend consideration of other individuals or clusters of individuals whose scores indicate significant achievement during the year.
  • 4.3.2 To be eligible for advancement, the member must have submitted a minimum of 15 entries in any combination of categories in the Monthly Competitions during the year. If the member was advanced to a higher level during the calendar year, only entries at the new level are considered.
  • 4.3.3 The members in the B and A levels receiving the highest and second highest averages in all categories of the Monthly Competition combined will automatically advance to the next level. In determining the highest and second highest averages, only the averages of members who have submitted a minimum of 15 entries will be considered.
  • 4.3.4 The Advancement Committee will determine if additional members will advance to A or AA. The committee will base the decision on the average scores in all categories of the Monthly Competition combined. In the event there is a cluster of top scores, all members represented in that cluster will be advanced, provided they have met the minimum submissions requirements.
• 4.4 ADVANCEMENT TO MASTER LEVEL
  • 4.4.1 Purpose and Method
    • 4.4.1.1 It is the intent of the Santa Rosa Photographic Society to recognize
      outstanding accomplishment in the field of photography by promoting
      qualified members to the Master level.
    • 4.4.1.2 Following the End-of-Year Competition in November, the Vice President shall receive from the Competition Chair notification of any AA-level member who has become eligible for the Master level.
    • 4.4.1.3 The Vice President will submit relevant information to the Advancement Committee for review. The Advancement Committee will confirm member eligibility for Master Candidate status. Decisions will be made in conformity with qualification requirements and club rules.
    • 4.4.1.4 The Vice President shall inform the Master candidate of his/her eligibility,
      of the requirements to be met, and of the procedure to follow during the year of candidacy. Notification of Master candidacy, if not given at the Awards Banquet of the qualifying year, shall be given by the end of January at the latest in order for the candidate to have sufficient time to prepare the Master’s Presentation Outline. (See 4.4.1.5)
    • 4.4.1.5 By April 1st, the Vice President shall have received from the Master Candidate a “Master’s Presentation Outline.” The Vice President shall distribute the Outline to the Advancement Committee, requesting approval of the topic and contents of the proposed presentation and suggestions for improvements as necessary. (See 4.4.3.2 and 4.4.3.3)
    • 4.4.1.6 The Vice President shall notify the Master Candidate of the Advancement
      Committee’s recommendations and confirm a date for the Master’s Presentation as one of the regular programs during the year.
  • 4.4.2 QUALIFYING FOR MASTER CANDIDACY
    • 4.4.2.1 A member shall have four consecutive years in which to qualify as a Master's Level Candidate. In the event a member shall not have qualified within the four-year period, the oldest year of achievement shall be dropped at the beginning of the following year. No member may advance to Master Candidacy in less than two years, since it is not possible to meet all requirements in less time. The minimum time for a member to remain in AA Level is two consecutive years, provided all other requirements are meet.
    • 4.4.2.2 Qualification requirements are based on two factors: active participation in the club and notable levels of achievement in the Monthly Competitions.
      • 4.4.2.2.1 A member shall have submitted the minimum of entries required to qualify for advancement as set forth in the Competition Rules in at least two of the qualification years.
      • 4.4.2.2.2 The member shall be ranks as one of the top two Level AA members during at least one of the years of the qualification period. Since ranking is the most difficult qualification to meet, should a member achieve a top-two ranking twice within the qualification period, the requirement for a best image award will be dropped. Overall averages are used for ranking members who have met the minimum submission requirements.
      • 4.4.2.3.3 During one of the qualification years, the member must win a first place in one or more of the competition categories at the End of Year competition. This requirement shall be dropped in the event the Level AA member shall have been ranked in the top-two twice within the qualification period.
        
  • 4.4.3 PRIVILEGES AND REQUIREMENTS OF MASTER CANDIDACY
    • 4.4.3.1 Following a successful qualification period, the member begins a one-year period as Master Candidate. During this year the member may compete at the Master Level.
    • 4.4.3.2 The Master Candidate is required to give a Master’s Presentation for club members during the year of candidacy. The candidate shall complete and submit to the Vice President a “Master’s Presentation Outline” by April 1st for review by the Advancement Committee. The candidate shall comply with any recommendations made by the Advancement Committee.
    • 4.4.3.3 The Master’s Presentation shall be a photographic presentation and lecture of approximately 45 minutes in length in the medium of the candidate’s choice. The purposes of the presentation are to educate club members and to demonstrate the candidate’s proficiency in a specific area. The presentation will be given as one of the regular programs during the year.
    • 4.4.3.4 Failure to give the Master’s Presentation within the candidacy year results in loss of eligibility, and the member will need to begin the qualification process again.

5.0 AL SHELTON TROPHY COMPETITION

• 5.1 LEVELS
  All members compete in one group, regardless of level.
• 5.2 CATEGORIES
  • 5.2.1 Slides and Electronic Images – Landscape/Seascape
  • 5.2.2 Slides and Electronic Images – General (any subject other than landscape/seascape).
  • 5.2.3 Slides and Electronic Image – Nature
  • 5.2.4 Print -- Any Subject (any print from any source).
• 5.3 COMPETITION SCHEDULE
  This competition is held on the 4th Thursday in January.
• 5.4 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
  • 5.4.1 Members may submit two entries in each category
  • 5.4.2 Any image taken in the previous calendar year is eligible. Image may or may not have been submitted in regular competition during the prior year.
  • 5.4.3 Prepare images for entry as shown in 1.6. Title should need exceed 30 characters, including spaces.
    • 5.4.3.1 Slides: On the front of the upside-down slide, put the title and thumb mark. At the bottom of the upside-down slide, put the appropriate category (SLS for Landscape/seascapes, SN for Nature, SG for General).  On the back of the upside-down slide, put your name.
    • 5.4.3.2 Prints: Label prints on the back with the title and your name.
    • 5.4.3.3 Electronic submissions: Create a jpg file (see 1.6.3) and follow electronic             image submission requirements for labeling the file: title, your name, category (SLS for Landscape/seascapes, SN for Nature, SG for General), date of the competition (mmyy).jpg.  Example: Great Egret-Tom Jones-SN-0106.jpg. Attach all images for a given competition to one e-mail.  It is helpful to indicate in the body of the e-mail which competition the submission is for and to list the file names.  Submit the file(s) to the Digital Image Collector via e-mail (srpselim@sonic.net) or CD by the stated deadline. Entries not correctly sized or labeled may be rejected.
  • 5.4.4 Members are not required to be present to enter.
• 5.5 JUDGING AND AWARDS
  • 5.5.1 Two non-member judges and the club member who won in the respective category in the prior year will serve as a three-judge panel. In the event any qualified, non-member judge is not available, a member judge will serve as replacement.
  • 5.5.2 Members serve on the judging panel the year following their win and thus may not enter in the category they will judge. Members serving as replacement judges may only score in categories they have not entered.
  • 5.5.3 The judging panel will select ONE entry for an award in each category. Each judge will use a paddle for scoring. The paddle marks will relate to the alphabetical/numerical scale in 2.6.1. In case of ties, the non-member judges will select the winners.
  • 5.5.4 Members may not win in more than one category per year. In the event an individual receives the highest score in more than one category, the non-member judges will choose which entry will win. Scores may be announced during the competition.
  • 5.5.5 Winners will receive a Perpetual Trophy, suitably engraved, and will retain the trophy for the balance of the calendar year.

6.0 SCILACCI PHOTO IMAGE CHALLENGE (PIC)

• 6.1 LEVELS
  All members compete in one group, regardless of level.
• 6.2 SUBJECTS
  Subjects are selected by the PIC committee and vary monthly. Subjects are published no later than the January newsletter.
• 6.3 COMPETITION SCHEDULE
  Competition is held on the 4th Thursday of each month from February through October.
• 6.4 SUBMISSION FORMATS
  Two submission formats are acceptable: Slides and Electronic Images. The formats
  are judged together.
• 6.5 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
  • 6.5.1 A limit of two entries per PIC competition may be submitted in slide or electronic image format as the member chooses.
  • 6.5.2 The images are to have been taken during the calendar year of the competition.
  • 6.5.3 Members will not be required to be present to compete. However, it is understood that absences will be the exception.
  • 6.5.4 Assigned subject matter should be center of interest.
  • 6.5.5 Prepare images for entry (see 1.6; for End of Year Competition, see 7.0).
• 6.6 JUDGING AND AWARDS
• 6.6.1 All members and guests present at the meeting score each entry. Entries are scored on a scale of 1-5.
• 6.6.2 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbon awards are given to the entries receiving the highest scores. In case of ties, at least three ribbons will be awarded. All members receiving the highest score in a given level and category will be awarded 1st place ribbons. If there are less than three 1st places, all members receiving the 2nd highest score will be awarded 2nd place ribbons. If there are less than three 1st and 2nd places combined, all members receiving the 3rd highest score will receive 3rd place ribbons.
• 6.6.3 If only three or four entries are submitted, two fewer ribbons than entries will be
  awarded unless ties require awarding more ribbons.
• 6.6.4 If only one or two entries are submitted, no ribbons will be awarded.
• 6.6.5 All ribbon winners will be eligible to compete in the End of Year PIC competition.

7.0 END OF YEAR COMPETITIONS

• 7.1 COMPETITIONS
  • 7.1.1 Monthly End of Year Competition
  • 7.1.2 PIC End of Year Competition
  • 7.1.3 Palmer Field Trip Competition
• 7.2 COMPETITION SCHEDULE
  The End of Year Competitions are held in November, generally in the week following the
  2nd Thursday of the month.
• 7.3 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
  • 7.3.1 End of Year Competition for Monthly Competition
    • 7.3.1.1 Eligibility: All 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbon winners in the Monthly Competitions during the year are eligible for submission in the same category and level in which they won. When there were insufficient entries for the awarding of a ribbon, any image that received a score of 90 or higher shall also be eligible to compete in the End-of- Year Competition. In the case of members advancing to a new level during the year, only images winning ribbons in the member’s new level shall be eligible.
    • 7.3.1.2 Labeling and submission: The Digital Image Collector will retain the winning  electronic submissions from the initial Monthly Competitions, so those images do not have to be resubmitted.  Eligible images originally submitted as slides or prints do need to be resubmitted and should retain the labeling used in the initial competition.
  • 7.3.2 PIC End of Year Competition
    • 7.3.2.1 Eligibility: The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbon winners during the year are eligible for submission.
    • 7.3.2.2 Labeling and submission: The Digital Image Collector will retain the winning  electronic submissions from the initial Monthly Competitions, so those images do not have to be resubmitted.  Eligible images originally submitted as slides or prints do need to be resubmitted and should retain the labeling used in the initial competition.
  • 7.3.3 Palmer Field Trip Competition
    • 7.3.3.1 All members compete in one group, regardless of level.
    • 7.3.3.2 Two entries per field trip held during the calendar year of the competition or after the 2nd Thursday of November in the prior calendar year are eligible for submission. The entries may be in Slide or Electronic Image formats.
    • 7.3.3.3 These images need not have been submitted during the year.
    • 7.3.3.4 Prepare images for entry (see 1.6). Title should not exceed 30 characters, including spaces.
      • 7.3.3.4.1 Slides: On the front of the upside-down slide, put the title and thumb mark.  At the bottom of the upside-down slide, put “Field Trip.”  On the back of the upside-down slide, put your name.
      • 7.3.3.4.2 Electronic submissions: Create a jpg file (see 1.6.3) and follow electronic image submission requirements for labeling the file: title, your name, FT (for Field Trip), mmyy.jpg.  Example: Marin Headlands-John Smith-FT-1105.jpg. Attach all images for the Field Trip competition to one e-mail.  It is helpful to indicate in the body of the e-mail which competition the submission is for and to list the file names.  Submit the file(s) to the Digital Image Collector via e-mail (srpselim@sonic.net) or CD by the stated deadline. Entries not correctly sized or labeled may be rejected.
    • 7.3.4 Members are not required to be present to enter End of Year competitions.
• 7.4 JUDGING AND AWARDS
  • 7.4.1 A panel of three qualified, non-member judges scores, but does not critique, each entry.
  • 7.4.2 In the event one or more non-member judge(s) is not available, a panel of non- member and member judges will score the entries. A club member(s) will join the panel to score the competitions. Members may not judge a category where they have an entry.
  • 7.4.3 Each judge will use a paddle for scoring. The paddle marks will relate to the numerical scale in 2.6.1.
  • 7.4.4 Best image and 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up awards are given to the highest-scoring entries in each category and level, if appropriate. In case of ties, the judges will select the places. The awards are announced at the awards banquet.
    • 7.4.4.1 A plaque is awarded for best image in each of the four levels in the General and Nature categories.
    • 7.4.4.2 A trophy is awarded for best image in the PIC End of Year and Palmer Field Trip Competitions. In addition, the winner of the PIC End of Year Competition will have his/her name placed on the perpetual Photo Image Challenge Cup to be permanently displayed at the Luther Burbank Art & Garden Center.
    • 7.4.4.3 1st and 2nd runners-up in all categories and levels will receive rosettes.
  • 7.4.5 If only three or four entries are submitted in a given level and category, two fewer ribbons than entries will be awarded.
  • 7.4.6 If only one or two entries are submitted, no points or awards will be given.

• PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO NATURE COMPETITION RULES
  rev. 02-09-08
• 3.0 Category Rules
• 3.1 Nature Category
  The Nature Category encourages club members to look more closely at the natural
  scene and to develop a heightened awareness and appreciation of nature, while promoting
  members’ camera skills through the documentary approach.
  • 3.1.1 Photographic and Post-Camera Requirements
    • 3.1.1.1 The image should be presented as seen in the field. No elements from
      other images may be added.
    • 3.1.1.2 No major elements may be removed except by cropping. Minor
      cloning is allowed in the computer as long as it does not change the integrity of the nature
      story. Dust on the sensor, water spots on lenses and lens flare may be removed.
    • 3.1.1.3 Either global or local adjustments to achieve an image as seen in the
      field are allowed. This may be accomplished by the use of filters (including polarizers),
      flash or adjustments in the computer. The addition of catchlights is allowed.
      • 3.1.1.3.1 Filters such as colored warming and cooling filters may be used
        in the field, and the equivalent global adjustments may be made in the darkroom or in the
        computer, however such adjustments should be minimal and consistent with the visual
        appearance of the subject in the field.
      • 3.1.1.3.2 Graduated neutral density filters that balance the range of light
        between two areas of an image, such as sky and foreground, may be used in the field, and
        the equivalent local adjustments may be made in the computer. In addition, masking
        techniques in the computer to target these adjustments to specific areas are allowed.
        Techniques to expand the tonal range captured are also allowed.
      • 3.1.1.3.3 Polarizers may be used in the field and the equivalent local
        adjustments may be made in the computer as far as possible, such as darkening skies,
        increasing detail in clouds, and lightening and warming foliage.
      • 3.1.1.3.4 Fill light may be used in the field, and equivalent local
        adjustments may be made in the computer as long as they do not change the truth of the
        image. Examples of allowed changes are adjustments to brightness, contrast, saturation
        and color balance in isolated areas of the image.
  • 3.1.2 Nature Definitions and Requirements
    • 3.1.2.1 The image should depict observations from any branch of natural
      history except anthropology or archaeology in such a fashion that a well-informed person
      will be able to identify the subject matter and certify as to its honest presentation. The
      image should emphasize the nature story. The story-telling aspect of an image should be
      weighed more than the artistic, pictorial quality.
    • 3.1.2.2 Human elements should only be present if they relate to animal
      habitat or behavior, such as bit of barn with a barn owl or a bit of fence post or other
      typical roost where a bird is perched. The presence of scientific bands on wild animals is
      acceptable. Elements not accepted: Anything domesticated, cultivated, hybrid, manmade,
      mounted specimens, artificial arrangements, jet trails, etc.
    • 3.1.2.3 Elements accepted: Naturalized plants, feral animals, captive wildlife,
      uncultivated plants in natural and adopted habitats. (An adopted habitat is one in which a
      non-native plant or animal can survive, reproduce, and spread on its own.) Threatened
      and endangered flowers maintained by conservatories, botanical gardens, and private
      collectors may be submitted in Nature. However, hybrid plants photographed at these
      locations may not.
    • 3.1.2.4 Black and white images, infrared images, monotones, silhouettes, and
      soft focus treatments that do not show nature as it is generally seen in the field, are not
      permitted in this category. The subject must be readily identifiable.
    • 3.1.2.5 Artistic enhancements such as decorative borders and drop shadows
      are not allowed. A one or two pixel stroke to delineate the edges of an image is allowed.
  • 3.1.3 Competition Factors
    • 3.1.3.1 A designated reviewer with power of rejection will determine
      conformity to the Nature rules.
    • 3.1.3.2 In judging, scoring should be based on photographic excellence and
      strength of the nature story depicted. A well-informed person must be able to identify the
      subject and to certify to its honest presentation.
    • 3.1.3.3 Title should not be more than 30 characters long, including spaces,
      and must identify the subject matter. The title should be factual and descriptive but
      scientific names are not required. Cute titles and those that do not identify the subject
      may lead to disqualification. Labeling instructions must be followed exactly. (See 1.6)
  • 3.1.4 Clarifications (this section is eliminated and elements of it have been
    incorporated in various sections above)