MONOCHROME

An image is considered to be Monochrome only if it gives the impression of having no colour (i.e. contains only shades of grey which can include pure black and pure white) OR it gives the impression of being a greyscale image that has been toned in one colour across the entire image.

A monochrome picture often expresses ranges of tones and textures that a colour picture finds difficult. It is a creative medium often able to express subtle emphasis of mood and feeling.

​

WATER/LIQUID DROPLETS

Capture drops of water or liquid that is either stationary (e.g. on a plant) or in motion (e.g. spray from a wave, hose etc). The droplets must be prominent and the obvious subject in the image. Images of seascapes are not allowed.

​

CREATIVE

Creativity refers to the phenomenon whereby a person creates something new that has some kind of value. What counts as "new" may be in reference to the individual creator, or to the society or domain within which the novelty occurs. What counts as "valuable" is similarly defined in a variety of ways.

Creative Altered Reality images must demonstrate both creativity and altered reality. Creativity of an image is a dominant consideration in the competition, as exhibited by imaginative content and skill, originality of expression, unusual juxtapositions, and uniqueness of vision. The image should surprise the viewer. The image must exhibit alteration through digital post-processing of the original image. Such Altered Reality must be readily apparent to the viewer.
Images must originate as photographs (image capture of objects via light sensitivity) made by the entrant on photographic emulsion and digitally scanned; or directly acquired digitally. Images must be the entrant’s own work and may not incorporate elements produced by anyone else. The judges’ decision on whether the altered reality is “readily apparent” is final.

 

NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

Any photograph taken out of doors at night or low light, providing that flash is not used.

​

NATURE

Nature photography records all branches of natural history except anthropology and archaeology. This includes all aspects of the physical world, both animate and inanimate, that have not been made or modified by humans.

Nature images must convey the truth of the scene that was photographed. A well-informed person should be able to identify the subject of the image and be satisfied that it has been presented honestly and that no unethical practices have been used to control the subject or capture the image. Images that directly or indirectly show any human activity that threatens the life or welfare of a living organism are not allowed.

The most important part of a Nature image is the nature story it tells. High technical standards are expected and the image must look natural. Adding a vignette or blurring the background during processing is not allowed.

Objects created by humans, and evidence of human activity, are allowed in Nature images only when they are a necessary part of the Nature story.

Photographs of human-created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domesticated animals, human-created hybrid animals and mounted or preserved zoological specimens are not allowed.

Images taken with subjects under controlled conditions, such as zoos, are allowed.

Controlling live subjects by chilling, anaesthetic or any other method of restricting natural movement for the purpose of a photograph is not allowed.

No modification that changes the truth of a Nature image is allowed.  Images may be cropped but no other technique that removes, adds or moves any part of the image is allowed.

Techniques that remove elements added by the camera, such as dust spots, digital noise and lens flare are allowed.

Complete conversion of colour images to greyscale monochrome is allowed. Partial conversion, toning and infrared captures or conversions are not allowed.

Images of the same subject that are combined in-camera or with software by focus stacking or exposure blending are allowed. Multiple images with overlapping fields of view that are taken consecutively and combined in-camera or with software (image stitching) are allowed.

​

PORTRAITURE / SELF PORTRAIT

A ‘Portrait’ is defined as any image which has the intent of displaying a likeness, personality, mood, emotions or lifestyle of a person or small group of people, in such a way that the person or people may be readily identified from the image. The focus of the images ought to be on the subject’s face, although the whole form may be included, the face and facial expression should be the most important parts of the image. Both studio and environmental portraits, formal or informal, are acceptable; with the image being presented in either ‘Landscape’ or ‘Portrait’ format. The person or people must be the main subject matter within the image. The subject must be human – sorry animal shots will not be accepted.

 

LANDSCAPES / SEASCAPES

A landscape image is one that features a portion of land or territory which the eye can comprehend in a single view, including all the objects it contains. A seascape is defined as a piece of art that depicts the sea or shoreline. Landscape is also a comprehensive word that can include different types of landscape, including seascapes. In a small collection of landscapes images it would be practical to include seascapes within that overall definition.

Common subjects for landscapes include mountains and valleys, fields, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and coastlines, deserts etc.

​

MOTION BLUR

The purposeful streaking or blurring of an object in motion in a photo for visual effect. This can include panning.

​

AUSTRALIANA

Present an image that symbolises Australia. The image may be historical, cultural, iconic or stereotypical. Create an image with Australian style. Your image could depict people, places, or objects with an Australian flavour. What does Australia represent to you? As you can see this category is open to your personal interpretation.

​

OPEN

This category allows you to choose whatever subject and treatment you desire. Do you favour macro, abstracts, architecture or night photography? This category is an opportunity to showcase your favourite photographic genre whatever it may be. The other side of this category is the Creative section which is intended to allow entrants to apply any artistic creativity or manipulation that they wish to an image. The only stipulation is that your image and any components within the image must have a photographic origin and must have been taken by you, the entrant.