Rules

We encourage members to improve their photographic skills and expertise by entering the Annual Competitions listed in the Programme. The dates by which you must submit your entries are also listed. There are two main types of competition:

  • Print Competitions are for images which are to be shown in printed out form.
  • Digital Competitions are for images which are to be shown by digital projection.

Categories

Competitions may be held for any of the following main categories:

  • Applied: covers Nature, Architecture and Record, Travel and Journalism, Sport & Documentary
  • Other: comprises the special categories of Photo Panel, Rundle Trophy, Three of a Kind, and Triptych.
  • General: covers anything not in Applied or Other.

Please click on the links above for category details.

Basic Rules

Images must originate as photographs (image capture of objects via light sensitivity) made by the entrant on photographic emulsion (paper or film) and digitally scanned; or directly acquired digitally using a camera, scanner, phone or similar.

Images must be entirely the work of the photographer. In composite images, all component images must meet this requirement, including textures. For the avoidance of doubt, use of images from any other source including, but not limited to, royalty free image banks and clipart are not permitted.

Images that are wholly computer generated are not permitted.

All photographs must be your original work and your copyright. You must be a current paid-up member of Ilkley Camera Club. 

Number of Entries

You may submit up to three entries for a print competition and up to two entries for a digital competition, unless specified otherwise. The Print Secretary reserves the right to remove everyone’s third print entry if there are too many – ie the print with a number 3 on the backThe exceptions are:

  • The Rundle Trophy: one entry which comprises 3 separate digitally projected images.
  • Photo Panel: one entry comprising 4 to 6 separately mounted prints.
  • Triptych: up to two entries, each comprising 3 images on a single mount.
  • Three of a Kind: only one entry, comprising a set of three separate images.
  • Audio Visual: only one entry, running for not more than 5 minutes.

Colour and monochrome

Some competitions are for colour work only, some for monochrome only, and some are open to either (described as colour & mono).

We use the definitions of monochrome and colour issued by the PAGB and based on the current FIAP definition. A black and white work fitting from the very dark grey (black) to the very clear grey (white) is a monochrome work with the various shades of grey. A black and white work toned entirely in a single colour will remain a monochrome work. Everything else is defined as colour, including a black and white work modified by a partial toning or by the addition of one colour.

In a competition for “colour & mono” then, unless otherwise stated, you may enter up to two images. They can be all colour, or all mono, or some of each.

Computer Manipulated Images

Outside of the Applied categories, you may manipulate images provided that the work is largely based on photographic images taken by you. All manipulation of the image must be carried out by you, or under your immediate control. This can include cropping, masking, use of filters etc., removing unwanted details and blemishes and adding details of other photographic images taken by you.

In the Applied categories, the amount of processing that may be carried out is more limited and the integrity of the subject must be maintained. See Applied rules for more detail.

Other Rules

Entries will not normally be accepted after the entry date shown in the Programme.

You must not enter an image which has already been submitted to one of the Club’s Annual competitions including competitions in previous years. You must not enter an image in monochrome if it has already been submitted in colour, nor vice versa.

You must give your photograph a title. Please check the spelling and capitalisation carefully as what you write may be what is shown to the public. Be wary of later changing a title as this may make it harder to check whether you have already entered an image in a competition.

Entries for print competitions must follow the Print Competition Format Rules.

Entries for digital competitions must follow the Digital Competition Format and Submission Rules.

Final Decision on Entries

The Digital Secretary and Print Secretary, whose decisions are final, may remove any entries that do not meet the competition criteria or which breach the rules if a solution cannot be agreed with you.

Judging

Each competition is normally judged by an experienced independent Judge. No marks are given but the Judge awards any number of commendations, including highly commended together with third, second and first places.

We do ask Judges to comment on all images in a constructive manner. The Judge’s comments are only his or her opinion. Another Judge may well express a different opinion. Only members who receive awards are named, all other entrants will remain anonymous.

Overall Photographic Achievement

As well as the individual competition trophies, all print competition entries are competing for the T L Haigh Trophy which is awarded to the competitor who receives the highest total placings in print competitions throughout the year.

Similarly, digital competition entries are competing for the D J Slingsby Trophy, awarded to the competitor who receives the highest total placings in digital competitions throughout the year.

Good luck

We look forward to seeing your images in future competitions and wish you every success.