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.

Q. Why do I have to join the Skiffy Club before I can join the Photography 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. 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. The Committee is elected at the AGM which is normally held in conjunction with the August club meeting.

Q. Who selects the judges for monthly competitions?

A. This is the responsibility of the Committee.

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.

Q. Do I have to take the photographs myself if I want to enter them in club competitions?

A. Yes.

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.

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.

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. Do I have to have a digital camera?

A. No you can use a film camera.

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.

A. No. The required mount sizes for mini 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 withiin the size limits of the mount board.

Q. Does a monochrome print have to be black and white?

A. No. It can be any single tone (such as sepia). Refer to the definition of monochrome in the competition rules.

Q. What is a "trade" print?

A. This is the old name for mini prints.

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.

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 grade.If you want to change grades you need to get permissoin from the Committee.

Q. Can I change from A grade to B grade?

A. Only with permission from the Committee.

Q. Can I enter the same print more than once in the same category?

A. Yes, provided it has not received a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place.

Q. If a print gets 1st, 2nd or 3rd in one category can I enter it in a different category later?

A. A mini print gaining a place could be entered later as a large print (or vice versa). A version of colour print gaining a place could be entered later as a monochrome print (and vice versa).

Q. Can I enter the same image in more than one category?

A. Yes. For example you could enter a monochrome and a colour version of the same image but it is not a good idea to do this on the same competition night.

Q. What adjustments or alterations to images are permitted?

A. Very limited adjustments may be made nature prints (refer to the competition rules). In open colour and monochrome you can make whatever adjustments or alterations you want to.

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 good but they will vary in how much emphasis they give to particular things (composition, creativity, etc).

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.

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.

Q. Are there any subjects that are off limits?

A. You should not enter images that are offensive.

Q. Do I have to use Photoshop to edit my images?

A. No. You can use whatever image editing program you prefer.

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.) You will find that you need specialised equipment for some types of photography (macro for example) but you don't have to go down that path.

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All images on this site and all documents and tutorials linked to this site are copyright.

This page last updated 1st Decemebr 2008 (RK)