General categories include anything not specifically covered by Applied or Other. Some examples are shown below. All are eligible for the General competitions and in these they are shown all together. In some years there may be specific competitions for some categories.
Please read Rules for basic competition rules.
All of these competitions may be entered with colour or mono images and may range from record to artistic images. Manipulation is allowed in all categories on this page.
PDI – Minimalist
Minimalist photography focuses on simplicity and its artistic style can be
encapsulated by the phrase “less is more”. Minimalist photographers achieve
this effect by casting aside all the unnecessary components in creating their
works.
Minimalism or minimalistic images could be taken by a photographer in any
genre. No matter if you are a portrait, architecture or landscape photographer,
minimalist photos are always an option as long as you have a minimal look to
your surroundings.
It follows the rules set out on the website for General competitions.
PDI – Triptych
This category is digital for the 2024 – 2025 season.
It requires a set of three images arranged to form a single cohesive work, in one screen shot ie the three images plus any borders must fit into the 1600 x
1200 allowance that we normally use for one dpi image. Triptychs can be used
for photographic storytelling. They can be from the same original image or
session or they can be polar opposites to show opposition or contrasting ideas.
You can submit up to two triptychs.
Print – The Elements (fire, earth, air, water)
The four elements can be interpreted in any way you wish by including one or
more as a dominant part of the image.
It follows the rules set out on the website for General competitions.
Print – The British Seaside
The subject matter can be anything that we associate with coastal holidays,
with the exception of the scenery. Ideally, holiday makers enjoying themselves,
or not, as the case may be!
It follows the rules set out on the website for General competitions.
Creative
A photographic creation by the author, including the use of manipulation through the camera, or digital techniques. All images must be original and may not incorporate elements produced by anyone else. Artwork or computer graphics generated by the entrant may be incorporated providing the original photographic content predominates.
Special effects may be carried out to the original image and other pictures/imported photographs may be added to provide extra detail.
In all cases, the final image and all its components must only be the work of the author.
This is your opportunity to show what you can do in any way you wish. Let your imagination run riot!
Abstract
An abstract image is an image that does not attempt to represent a recognisable object or external reality, but rather seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, colours, patterns or textures. This may be created in camera and/or by use of post-processing.
Humanity
Although
the trophy is the Portraiture Cup you do not have to confine yourself strictly to a portrait. But the main focus of your images should be on people. An emotional content or interaction between any subjects should also be considered important to show Humanity in all of its forms.
We encourage creative work in this section which could, for example, include: portraits, sports, cultures, fine art nudes, street photography, re-enactments, theatre, dance, goths and photo-journalism.
Open Colour and Open Mono
The object
of pictorial photography is to produce a picture that arouses an emotional response in the viewer. The “WOW” factor. The “I would like to have that picture hanging on the wall” reaction. Emotions are not all pleasant: anger, greed, fear and despair are all emotions which can be aroused by a picture as well as pleasure, 
joy, nostalgia, etc.
The intensity of the response is the primary criterion for judging the picture. Technical matters such as definition, exposure and contrast may (or in some cases may not) contribute to an overall effect, but they are secondary to the emotional response.
Scapes
A ‘scape’ image 
shows us a vista. This can include, but is not restricted to, landscapes, cityscapes, seascapes, waterscapes and skyscapes. Individual elements such as a single tree, boat, building or a person must not dominate but rather be part of an overall image adding to the mood or atmosphere of the environment captured.
Still life
An arrangement of ordinary objects by the author. These objects will predominantly be inanimate and may include dead animals, fruit or flowers. The photographic approach may range from record to artistic to include added textures and composites. Images may feature interesting patterns, colours and shapes.
Street
Images that capture spontaneous (not posed) chance encounters and random incidents, in public spaces (not necessarily a street) all around the world. People will usually feature. A scene without people must project a decidedly human character.
Themed
Themed competitions such as Water, Weather and Seasons require us to interpret and explain the competition theme in our images. The theme should be the key component of the image whether it, for example:
- celebrates the magic of a season (winter, spring, summer or autumn);
- explores the ways in which water occurs in nature (water, ice, steam) or in the interaction of water with mankind;
- describes an example of the huge variations in our weather and its impact on us, the environment or the landscape.