General
For each competition, a member may submit up to TWO images. The images can be submitted at any aspect ratio either in colour, toned or monochrome unless the competition has been given a set subject or theme to follow.
All images must originate from either digital capture or from traditional film. Where digital capture has been used, the Competition Secretary reserves the right to see the original RAW or .jpg image as generated by the camera or recording medium. The whole of the image must be taken by the photographer and that person must hold the copyright to all parts of the image used.
Images cannot be entered in more than one competition if they have been awarded a placing or highly commended in previous competitions. Images that are similar to a previously awarded or highly commended image are also excluded. Images not placed and not given highly commended in previous competitions can be re-submitted in new competitions.
Submission of images for entry into a competition shall indicate acceptance by the member that these images may be displayed on the Society’s website. The image published on the website will be embedded with copyright text “Copyright ©Chesterfield Photographic Society”, however all copyrights will be retained by the original member author.
File naming
The title of the image should be in CAPITAL LETTERS for the whole of the title, followed by the word “by” and then the author’s name in lower case with capital letters only at the start of each name.
Example: THE PHOTOGRAPH by John Smith.jpg
Image sizing, colour space and format
Digital entries should be submitted as .jpeg images no larger than 1600pixels x 1200pixels, with the 1600pixels being the maximum horizontal dimension of the image and 1200pixels being the maximum vertical dimension.
Colour workspace should be set to sRGB.
Important note
It should be noted that our competition software will resize the image to fit within the aspect ratio of maximum horizonal width of 1600 pixels (px) and maximum vertical height of 1200 pixels. If the image is larger, it will be reduced to fit and conversely if the image is smaller it will be enlarged.
Please note that smaller images that are upsized will potentially look pixilated and will exaggerate any noise or artefacts within the image reducing the quality of the projected image. Large images may lose some detail and be softened by the downsizing process.
Print mount sizing
Prints shall be mounted and ideally sized at 500mm x 400mm. The print will sit within the mount cut-out and be typically an A3 or A4 sized print. But can be accommodated by custom cut outs to suit imperial print sizes or non-standard print sizes..
Mounts in excess of this figure may be excluded at the discretion of the Competition Secretary.
Mounts smaller than 500mm x 400mm will be accepted but members are encouraged to present their images in 500mm x 400mm mounts if possible. This is the standard mount size used by most camera clubs and county federations and is the accepted size in the NorthEast Midlands Photographic Federation whom Chesterfield Photographic Society are a member.
How to mount prints
An example of how to mount prints using the hinge method is shown on the video clip below.
Note: The video shows fixing the photograph to both top and bottom which could potentially cause certain paper types to expand/constrict due to climatic variations and could cause prints to buckle. Recommend you fix the photograph to top only.
Print labels
There must be nothing on the front or back of the print that will give any indication as to the identity of the author. The back of the print should clearly indicate the title on the top edge of the print so that the presenters can confirm the print title, and know which way the print is to be displayed.
A digital copy of the print entry, conforming to the same specification as the digital entries MUST be emailed as an attachment to the Competition Secretary to be received no later than MIDNIGHT on the SUNDAY before the date of the competition.
Print digital copy
A digital copy is required for all print competitions to allow: -.
- The image data to be imported into the competition software to assist in the recording and scoring during the evening of the competition.
- The opportunity to present a digital projection of the prints on the evening of the competition.
- Competition images to be published on the Society’s web site.
Advice
Any members requiring guidance on digital sizing, formatting and naming files, print mounting, etc or unsure of the rules are encouraged to contact the Competition Secretary or any other member of the committee who will be only too pleased to offer help and guidance.