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| Competition Rules |
Information for new members
The following information is designed to answer some of the common questions asked by new members of the club.
If you have a question that is not answered here please email it to the webmaster and an answer will be posted as soon as possible. You should also feel free to approach any of the "older" members of the club with your questions.
The questions and answers are grouped under the following headings (click on the title to go to that set of questions):
Electronically Displayed Images (EDI)
CLUB MEMBERSHIP
Q. How can I join the club?
A. First join the Belmont 16ft Sailing Club and then pay the Photography Club Treasurer the annual membership fee (there is no joining fee). You will need to show your membership card to theTreasurer when joining the Photography Club.
Q. Why do I have to join the Belmont 16ft Sailing Club before I can join the Photographic Club?
A. The Belmont 16ft Photographic Club is a subsidiary club of the Belmont 16ft Sailing Club. The rules of the main club require all members of its subsidiary clubs to be financial members of the main club.
Q. How much does it cost to join the Photographic Club?
A. The current annual fee is $20 for ordinary members and $10 for junior members. If you are under 18 years then you must first join the main club as a junior member (there are several different ways of doing this - ask at reception).
MEETINGS
Q. Where are club meetings held?
A. The monthly competitions and the monthly training sessions are held in one of the upstairs rooms of the Belmont 16ft Sailing Club. Rooms vary between the main auditorium, the Quarterdeck Room and the Macquarie Room. We do not know in advance which room has been allocated - so just ask at the reception desk when you enter the club.
Complementary supper is provided on competition nights.
Q. What time do meetings start?
A. Competition meetings start at 7.30pm (but prints have to be submitted by 7.00pm).
Training sessions (4th Wednesday of the month) start at 7.00pm.
In 2010 we are trialling a new system of additional training meetings at 4-6pm on competition nights. See the training section for further details.
CLUB ACTIVITIES
Q. What are the main activities of the club?
A. Monthly competitions and monthly educational activities. There is also an on-line gallery (called Coppermine) in which members can share images and exchange ideas.
Q. Are there any daytime activities?
A. There are occasional workshops and photographic outings. In 2010 we are hoping to extend this to include at least one photographic trip over a weekend.
EQUIPMENT
Q. Do I need to have a digital camera?
A. No you can use a film camera.
Q. Do I need an expensive camera and lots of equipment?
A. No. The equipment used by club members varies enormously. The quality of the images you produce will depend more on how you use your camera than on the quality of the camera. (Many a bad image has been produced from an expensive camera.)
Q. Do I need to have an SLR camera?
A. No. You can use whatever camera you want to. Some club members who do well in club competitions use relatively inexpensive cameras.
Q. If I use a film camera can I enter slides?
A. The club no longer has a slide category in competitions. However, you can take slides, have them scanned, and then enter them as digital images (EDI) or have them printed.
Q. Where can I get slides scanned?
A. The club owns a scanner that will scan slides, film negatives or prints. Club members can borrow the scanner without charge. See Alex Hunter if you want to borrow the scanner.
Q. Does it matter whether I have a Windows or Macintosh computer?
A. No. If you are thinking of buying a computer, talk to other club members (such as Andrew Styan or Roy Killen) and they will be able to give you some guidance.
Q. I have heard that my computer monitor needs to be "colour calibrated" - how can I get this done?
A. The club owns a monitor calibration device (called a Spyder) that members can borrow without charge. See Alex Hunter if you want to borrow the Spyder.
MONTHLY COMPETITIONS
Q. How do I go about entering images in club competitions?
A. First, read the competition rules and the rest of these questions/answers. Then prepare your images according to the rules and fill out an entry form. Bring your prints and entry form to the club on the competition night and submit them before 7.00pm. Place your prints on either the A Grade or B Grade table(in the appropriate pile) and give your entry form to the committee members at the competition table. The committee members will place all the prints on the stands ready for judging. Please note that EDI entries have to be submitted through the Coppermine gallery - and the closing date is a month before the night on which they will be displayed.
Q. Do I have to take the photographs myself if I want to enter them in club competitions?
A. Yes.
Q. Can I use old photographs or do they have to be taken recently?
A. You can use old photographs but you should do so only if they are in good condition.
Q. Are there any subjects that are off limits?
A. You should not enter images that are offensive.
Q. Why is the point score kept for monthly competitions?
A. At the end of each competition year there are prizes for the place getters in each section.
EDI
Q. What is EDI?
A. This is the abbreviation used for Electronically Displayed Images. These images are submitted as digital files and they are displayed through a data projector.
Q. How do I enter digital (EDI) images?
A. Through the "Coppermine" section of the club web site. Follow this link for instructions.
COPPERMINE
Q. What is Coppermine?
A. Coppermine is an image gallery system that is integrated with the club web site. It serves two main purposes 1) It is where members upload EDI images and 2) It is an area where club members share images, and comment on each other’s work outside of competition.
Q. Who can put images on Coppermine?
A. Each club member is able to register and then upload images to Coppermine. Please refer to this page for detailed instructions.
Q. Do I have to register for Coppermine?
A. Yes - if you want to enter images in club EDI competitions, or if you want to view the images that club members have posted to Coppermine you need to register.
EDITING IMAGES
Q. If I want to edit or enhance an image do I have to do the work myself in Photoshop?
A. No. You can have someone else prepare your images for you in Photoshop or any other image editing program, so long as they are working under your instructions.
Q. What adjustments or alterations to images are permitted?
A. Very limited adjustments may be made to nature images (refer to the competition rules). In open sections (colour, monochrome, small prints and EDI) you can make whatever adjustments or alterations you want to.
Q. What is the best program to use for image editing?
A. Photoshop (currently the latest version is CS4) is the most powerful program. However, it is also very expensive. Unless you intend to do a lot of image editing you may not want to use Photoshop. Alternatives are :Photoshop Elements which is quite adequate for most editing and it is much cheaper than Photoshop. Some club members use Adobe Lightroom or Corel Paintshop Pro. Others use Picasa.
Q. How should I decide which image editor to use?
A. Talk to other club members. Consider how much time you are willing to spend learning how to use the program, how much money you are willing to spend and how much editing you will be doing. If you have limited experience with computers or image editing you might be better to start with a program such as Photoshop Elements and later move up to Photoshop.
Q. Some images I see at the club are so heavily edited that they look more like paintings or drawings than photographs - is this permitted?
A. Unless it is a nature competition you are free to edit/alter the image as much as you like to achieve your creative or aesthetic goal - so long as the image started out as a photograph (see the club rules for a definition of photograph).
PRINTING IMAGES
Q. Do I have to print the photographs myself if I want to enter them in club competitions?
A. No. You can have them printed by someone else or by a commercial photo lab .Contact the committee if you want to know what labs other members use.
Q. What sort of printers do the "good" club photographers use?
A. Several of the top photographers in the club use Epson R2400 printers (or the later R2880). These allow printing up to A3+ size and give good results for monochrome prints. However, other club members use a range of different printers.
Q. What are the advantages of printing your own photographs?
A. The main advantage is that you have total control over the process. If necessary, you can make fine adjustments to obtain exactly the result you want and you can decide which paper gives you the best results. If you get your prints done commercially (at a kiosk) you are basically stuck with whatever results you get (in terms of contrast, saturation, etc).
Q. Is it cost effective to print your own photographs?
A. This depends a lot on how much printing you do and what size prints you want. It is basically impossible to make good quality small prints (6x4) at home for the same price that you can get them done commercially (which is often less than 20 cents per print). However, if you are printing a lot of large prints (A3) you can do that at costs that are comparable with commercial printers (or in some cases much cheaper).
Q. What types of papers are preferred for printing and where can I purchase these?
A. A good starting point is to use the brand of paper recommended by your printer manufacturer (e.g., Epson paper for an Epson printer). Most prints exhibited at the club are printed on glossy paper but some members prefer matte paper for some images. One of the best places to purchase paper (and printer ink) is from the club patron - Les Porter.
MOUNTING PRINTS
Q. Why do prints have to be mounted?
A. To minimise the chances of them being damaged when they are being displayed.The quality of the presentation of the image (mounting technique, materials, mount colour, etc) may also be taken into account by the judge.
Q. Do I have to mount the prints myself?
A. No. You can have someone else do it for you.
Q. Can I use any size mount board?
A. No. The required mount board sizes for small prints and large prints are described in the competition rules.
Q. Do large prints have to be of any particular size or shape?
A. No. The prints can be any size and shape so long as they fit within the size limits of the mount board.
Q. Do mount boards have to be a particular colour?
A. No. They can be any colour. Most members use either black or off-white as these are neutral colours that suit a wide range of images.
Q. Where do members get their mount boards?
The club sells blank uncut boards of the correct size for mounting large prints. These can be purchased from Alex Hunter and the current price is $2 per board.
Many members cut their own boards and Alex (or other club members) can provide advice on how to do this.
Several local businesses (such as Eckersleys Art Supplies in Union Street Newcastle and Artisan Framing at Glendale) will cut mount boards to order. Take your image(s) with you.
Mount boards can be re-used each month.
SMALL PRINTS
Q. What is a "trade" print or a "mini" print?
A. This is the old name for small prints. These were originally the prints you could get from a photo lab - but you can also print your own small prints.
Q. Are there size restrictions on small prints?
A. Yes. The print can be no larger than 15cm x 10 cm (the old 6 x 4 inches).
Q. Can I enter both small prints and large prints?
A. Yes. Each month you can enter either one or two images in each section - with a maximum of six images in total. For example, you might enter 2 large colour prints, two small prints and two EDI images. Some members choose to enter only one or two images each month.
MONOCHROME IMAGES
Q. What is a monochrome image?
A. An image (print or EDI) that consists of only one tone. Refer to the competition rules for further details.
Q. Does a monochrome print have to be black and white?
A. No. It can be any single tint (such as sepia). Refer to the definition of monochrome in the competition rules.
Q. Can I enter a monochrome image in a colour section or in nature?
A. Yes.
SET SUBJECTS
Q. What are "set subjects"?
A. In some months the print entries (colour, monochrome and small prints) have to illustrate a particular "set subject" and this is aimed at expanding members' skills. The definitions of the set subjects for the year are shown at the end of the competition rules. In 2010 the EDI entries are all "open" - they do not have to be on the set subject in the months when prints are set subject.
Q. Who decides on the topics for "set subject" competitions?
A. The Committee. If you have any suggestions you should pass them on to a Committee member.
GRADING
Q. Why are there two "grades" in each print section?
A. The B grade is for less experienced photographers who are not yet ready to compete in the A grade competition. Having two grades provides a fairer competition, especially for beginners.
Q. Can I change from B grade to A grade during the competition year?
A. Yes, but any points gained in B grade will not carry over to A grad. If you want to change grades you need to get permission from the Committee.
Q. Can I change from A grade to B grade?
A. Only with permission from the Committee.
COMPETITION CATEGORIES
Q. What are the categories in the monthly competitions?
A. Every month there are colour and monochrome images in large prints and there are small prints. In the odd numbered months (January, March, etc) there is also a nature category. In the even numbered months (February, April, etc) there is an EDI category.
Q. How do I know what category to enter an image in?
A. The monochrome and nature categories have special restrictions that are described in the competition rules. The colour, small prints and EDI categories are "open" - there are no restrictions on image content.
Q. Can I enter the same print more than once in the same category?
A. Yes, provided it has not received an Honours award or a Top 10 place in the Image of the Year competition. However, you cannot enter substantially the same image more than three times.
Q. If a print gets an Honours award in one category can I enter it in a different category later?
A. Only if it has been substantially altered - refer to the competition rules for further details.
Q. Can I enter the same image in more than one category?
A. Yes. For example you could enter an image as a colour print and later enter it as an EDI - but not on the same competition night and not if the image has gained an Honours award.
Q. On competition nights when there is a "Nature" category do my small prints have to be nature prints?
A. No. On any night when there are "open" subjects (not "Set" subjects) small prints can be on any subject. "Nature" prints are a special (additional) category for large prints.
IMAGE OF THE YEAR
Q. What is the "Image of the Year" competition?
A. In November the monthly competition is replaced by the "Image of the Year" competition. Before 2010 this was called the PASOTY (Print And Slide Of The Year).This is the chance for members to display their best images from the year's competition.
Q. Are the categories the same as for monthly competitions?
A. Yes, but there are two additional categories - nature EDI and altered reality EDI.
Q. What images can be entered in the Image of the Year?
A. The basic requirement is that the image must have been entered in a monthly competition in the same year (but it did not have to earn a Merit or Honours). There are some other special requirements and you should check the competition rules before preparing your images for the Image of the Year.
JUDGES and JUDGING
Q. How does judging work?
A.The judge for the night will comment on most of the prints, pointing to areas of interest or suggest potential ways to improve individual images. Images are assessed ‘blind’, that is the judge does not know the name of the member who made the image. After the judge’s commentary he/she will nominate some images for "merits" and others for "honours. The names of the members who own the images that are given merits or honours are announced by a committee member. The judge will also award "judge's choice" to one image in each category.
Q. What qualifications do judges have?
A. The majority of our judges are on the NSW Federation of Camera Clubs (FCC) list of approved judges - they have done a course in judging. Others are experienced photographers, many of them commercial photographers.
Q. Who selects the judges for monthly competitions?
A. This is the responsibility of the Committee.
Q. Do the judges get paid?
A. Yes, they are offered a small amount to cover their travel expenses.
Q. How do I know what judges are looking for?
A. That's the $64 question! Most judges expect that images will be technically sound but they will vary in how much emphasis they give to technical things (composition, sharpness, etc) versus the artistic elements of the image.
Q. What if I don't like the judge's comments on my photographs?
A. You cannot expect that all judges will like all of your images, but you should think about whatever a judge says and see if you can learn something from it that will help you to improve your photography.
HOW IS THE CLUB ORGANISED?
Q. How can I help?
A. There are many things that go on during club nights and behind the scenes and this often falls to a few dedicated members – all extra help is welcome. On the competition nights help is always needed to setup the stands and put them away again – just be there! If you want to help in any other way just talk to a committee member.
Q. What does the Committee do?
A. The Committee is responsible for managing the affairs of the Photographic Club. Various members of the Committee organise the monthly competition nights and other competitions, maintain the web site, represent the club at the NPF, manage the finances of the club, arrange activities for members, and so on. The current members of the Committee are listed here.
Q. How is the committee elected?
A. The committee is elected at the AGM which is normally held in conjunction with the August club meeting.
Q. Can anyone nominate for the committee?
A. Yes. Any financial member of the club can nominate (or be nominated) for any committee position.Nomination forms are avbailable from the Secretary.
NORTHERN PHOTOGRAPHIC FEDERATION (NPF)
Q. What is the NPF?
A. This is the Northern Photographic Federation. Its members are local photography clubs - Belmont, Newcastle, South Newcastle, Maitland, Dungog and Tomaree. See this page for more details.
Q. Why do I need to know about the NPF?
A. Entering competitions outside of the club increases your opportunities to learn from other photographers and also increases your confidence. Each year the NPF clubs have interclub competitions. All members of Belmont Photography Club are eligible to enter these competitions.
Q. How do I know if my photographs are good enough for the NPF?
A. If your images are gaining honours or merits in club competitions (in either A or B grade) you should be submitting them for possible selection to represent our club in NPF competitions. If you want any further advice on this please ask one of the committee members.
Q. Who decides which images will represent the club in NPF competitoins?
A. A group of judges (who are club members) are appointed by the committee to make these selections.
Q. Is there a limit on the number of entries in NPF competitions?
A. Yes. The number of entries from each member is limited to give everyone a good chance of having at least one image selected to represent the club. This is explained on the NPF page.
FEDERATION OF CAMERA CLUBS (FCC)
Q. What is the FCC?
A. This is the Federation of Camera Clubs (NSW). Belmont club is a member of this organisation. See this web site for more details.
Q. Why do I need to know about the FCC?
A. Each year the FCC holds two competitions that our club members can enter. One (the TOPSHOT) competition is for individual entries. The other (the INTERCLUB) is for club entries.
Q. How do I know if my images are good enough for FCC competitions?
A. If your images are gaining honours or merits in club competitions (in either A or B grade) you should be submitting them for possible selection to represent our club in the FCC Interclub competition, and you should consider entering them in the Topshot competition. If you want any further advice on this please ask one of the committee members.
All images on this site and all documents and tutorials linked to this site are copyright.
This page last updated 16th February 2010 (KD)