Category Definitions

Category Definitions

Pictorial
Pictorial images are judged both for their technical and pictorial merit. The image must be properly exposed, be appropriately in focus, and have appropriate depth of field. A Pictorial image should have strong composition, pleasing quality, and impact. The content is unrestricted.

Nature General (*):
Nature photography is restricted to the use of the photographic process to depict all  branches of natural history, except anthropology and archaeology, in such a fashion that a well-informed person will be able to identify the subject material and certify its honest presentation. The story telling value of a photograph must be weighed more than the pictorial quality. Human elements shall not be present, except where they are integral parts of the nature story. Scientific tags, collars are permissible.
Photographs of hybrid & cultivated plants, domestic animals, and infrared images are not allowed.
Nature Wildlife (*)
Images must meet the above Nature definition and and are further defined as zoological or botanical organisms free and
unrestrained. Landscapes, geologic formations, photographs of zoo or game farm animals are not eligible . Allowed subjects are animals, birds, insects, marine and botanical subjects (including fungi and algae) photographed in the wild.

Photojournalism (*):
.A photojournalism image shall have informative content and emotional impact, reflecting the human presence in our world. The journalistic (story-telling) value of the image shall have priority over pictorial quality. Images that misrepresent the truth (e.g., specifically arranged or posed) are not eligible.

Photo Travel (*):
A photo travel image expresses the characteristic features or culture of a land as they are found naturally.
There are no geographic limitations. Images from events or activities arranged specifically for photography, or of subjects directed or hired for photography (or appear to be so) are not appropriate. Close up pictures of people or objects must include features that  provide information about the environment. An image taken just while traveling may or may not fit this definition. The primary elements of the image must be characteristic with respect to features or culture.

Special Topic:
The topic differs each session. The topic shown is "Reflections". There are no restrictions in this category.

*Image Alterations (Photojournalism, Photo Travel, and Nature):
These three reality-based divisions have specific restrictions on image alteration. Techniques that add, relocate, replace or remove any element of the original image, except by cropping, are not permitted. The only allowable modifications are removal of dust, scratches, or digital noise, restoration of the existing appearance of the original scene, sharpening that is not obvious, and complete conversion to grayscale monochrome. Other derivations, including infrared, are not eligible. All allowed adjustments must appear natural. Note that "restoration of the appearance of the original scene" may include techniques such as HDR, focus stacking and dodging/burning, provided they do not alter the contents of the original scene and the result looks natural.
Borders in the Three Reality-Based Divisions:
Image borders in these three divisions are optional. If they are used, they must be white or a shade of grey and must be 3 or 4 pixels in width. Borders of 1 or 2 pixels are not allowed; they often result in uneven presentation when  projected.