COMPETITIONS and EXHIBITIONS

The Stratford Camera Club holds Three (3) rounds of competitions per year. The first round is judged in November, the second in January, and the final round in April. These competitions are divided into (4) categories: General, Creative, Nature and Special Challenge. Graphic art such as “cut and paste” will not be accepted. The final determination of acceptability will be made by the judges.

A member can enter a total of 10 images per round of competition. Prints from the annual February Print Competition are not eligible for any rounds of SCC competitions.

In the February Print Competition there will be only one category called “OPEN” subdivided into straight and creative. Each member will be allowed a maximum of 3 entries per division for a total of 6. There will be a fee of $2.00 per entry. People outside the Camera Club judge this competition. Each judge will score out of 10 points, 10 points being the highest score. The three scores are added together to become the total score. The highest score will receive a 1st place, next lowest 2nd, then 3rd, and finally Honorable Mention. In the event of a tie the judges will decide the final order. New work is recommended for this competition.

Print submissions can be reproduced from a negative, slide or digital image. They should be no smaller than 5”X7” or 35 inches square or larger than 16”X20”. Prints must be securely mounted to a clean firm backing, such as white 4-ply illustration board or white foam core. Window matting of prints using white, or off white is acceptable. Only one print per mounting board will be accepted and considered for competition. Prints must also be identified on the back, top left/right corner with the entrant’s name, date, category and title of the print. The top of the print should be indicated with an arrow.

Slide submissions must have a spot on the slide mount, using a permanent felt marker, in the lower left hand corner when viewing the slide right side-up, as you would see it on the projection screen. It must also be identified by the member’s name and the category somewhere on the slide mount.

Digital images for projection must be correctly sized and oriented. The correct size is 1024 X 768 pixels for a horizontal image and 768 pixels high for a vertical image. Use Constraint proportions to maintain the proportions of an image. Digital files for projection must also have the correct naming convention (category-title-photographer’s initials.jpg) and saved at the highest possible resolution (90% or better).

If an image is not identified it will not be judged.

Click here to dowload the monthy competition entry form as a Microsoft Word document (.DOC)

Click here to dowload the monthy competition entry form as a Microsoft Excel document (.XLS)

 

Category Definitions

General - An image of reality with minor adjustments to levels, cropping, dodging and burning.

Creative - An image that is heavily manipulated or may not be recognizable as the original image or subject.

Nature - Untamed animals or plants in their natural habitat. Geology and phenomena not produced by man. An accurate record of a subject and natural environment are most important. CAPA definition of nature is used as the criteria for judging this category.

Theme - Emphasis is on the interpretation of the theme subject.

 

Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope is held annually in March, usually the second Sunday, in the afternoon and evening. It is open to the public and displays camera club members’ slide essays and prints on various subjects. The slide essays are generally set up using the Tiffen-Pro Dissolve, which allows slides to cross-fade, and uses recorded music to time the slide presentation. Essays must include a title slide with music credits. Prints are generally taken from the February print competition. We encourage members with digital expertise and equipment to display their work. Member participation is vital in making this event a success.

Judging

Judges for club competitions are selected from members of the Stratford Camera Club, and rotate through the club. An alternate Judge will be selected to break a tie or score another judges work. Each judge will rate a print or slide on a scale of 10 with 10 being the highest score. Three of the selected judges’ scores are added to give a grand total, with 30 being the highest score.

Judging Guidelines

Light and exposure

0= badly over or under-exposed.

1= Use of light is adequate and appropriate with some tolerance for exposure range.

2=Use of light and exposure well handled and absolutely correct with no obvious lighting problems.

3=Light and exposure have been used effectively, beyond mere recording. The exposure may be deliberately unusual but correct, and the image shows skill in the use of light direction, character, and colour.

Sharpness

0=the subject image is not sharp or as sharp as required in subject areas

1=the subject area is sharp. Blurred areas are an enhancement or not a fault.

Composition and Design

0=composition is careless with significant distractions. Design is not apparent or not satisfactory.

1=Composition and design are satisfactory. Distractions may be apparent but not dominant.

2=Composition and design are without fault. There are no distractions.

3=the organization of the elements is critical to the success of the image. Composition and design are both with out fault or distraction.

Mood, Impact, Subject Matter

0=the image has little emotional appeal and fails to communicate an objective.

1=the image initiates some emotional response or recognition of the makers perceived objective.

2=the subject conveys a sense of place or an event and is accurately rendered. There is an automatic emotional response.

3=the image is powerful and evokes an immediate emotional response which is strong and lasting. The subject matter is well selected and portrayed.

Awards

Ribbons for both slides and prints are awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd prizes, and Honourable Mention. For the purposes of our competitions the first place will be awarded to the print or slide with the highest score and 2nd place to the next highest score etc.

Inter-Club Competitions

The Stratford Camera Club also participates in the following inter-club competitions:

Grand Valley Slide Battle

This is held once a year with other clubs in southwestern Ontario. Participants include clubs from Orangeville, Kitchener’s Highland Glen, Halton Hills, Brantford, Fergus and Stratford. Each club enters 20 images. These images may be slides, digital projections or prints, ideally at least one slide per member. Our entries are chosen either from winners of previous competitions or from new work. Club members select suitable images at a designated meeting.

The Stag and Swan

This began in 1998 and is held annually with the Highland Glen Camera Club, with each club alternately hosting the event. Each club enters thirty images: either slides and/or prints. Each photographer is limited to a maximum of three entries. Our entries are selected from winners in previous competitions or from new work. Club members select suitable entries at a designated meeting. A panel of three judges invited by the host club judges entries individually, and the club with the highest cumulative score wins the competition

C.A.P.A. Competitions

CAPA competitions are divided into Club and Individual competitions. Stratford Camera Club enters as a club and encourages its members to join and enter their work as individuals. Competitors enter three rounds of competition in the Pictorial Slide, Nature Slide, and Print categories. Entries must reach the host club by: October 30th, January 20th, and March 20th. Detailed entry forms can be found on the CAPA web site www.capacanada.ca.

Each year there is a two-round “theme” slide competition for individuals and clubs. Entry dates are November 15th, and February 15th.

Postcard competition:

This is open to individuals and CAPA members. Up to 4 postcards per entrant are mailed individually.

CAPA Circuits of Prints and Slides

CAPA Internet Digital Imaging Circuit

CAPA Creative Photographic Arts Slide and Print Exhibition

CAPA Digital Audio-visual Shows

CAPA Annual Digital Competition

Information for the above competitions and exhibitions can be found on the CAPA website (www.capacanada.ca) or in the pullout insert of the summer issue of Canadian Camera Magazine. The Canadian Camera magazine is included with CAPA membership.

Creative and Interpretive Nature Slide Exhibition

This is open to nature images portrayed in a unique or nontraditional way not usually considered in the standard nature category. This exhibition is for individual and family members who may submit up to 6 slides per entrant. The closing date for this exhibition is April 25th. Accepted slides will be shown at the Canadian Camera Conference

CAPA Nature definition

Nature photographs depict untamed animals and uncultivated plants in their natural habitat. Geology and phenomena not produced by man are also considered suitable subjects. An accurate record of a subject and natural environment is the prime factor in judging a nature photograph. Every effort should be made to use the highest level of artistic skill in interpreting the subject and its environment. Unacceptable are: images of cultivated plants, formal flower arrangements, domestic and caged animals, mounted specimens, or man and his specialized environment. Also unacceptable are nature photographs with an interpretive or pictorial treatment. These should be submitted in the Pictorial category. Digitally manipulated photographs are not eligible. Scientific names are recommended in the title but common names will be accepted. Include the term “wild” for a flower that may also be cultivated such as a morning glory. Please avoid using titles such as “little green plant” or “jolly green giant”; “Bald Eagle” is better than “Eagle” which is better than “Bird in Tree”.