Category Definitions for 2025
ABSTRACT
An image created to have an unreal appearance from real objects by zeroing in on the colour, texture, line, shape, geometry, symmetry or reflection of a scene or object.
AERIAL
Aerial photography refers to any photograph taken from an elevated position that focuses on scapes and objects of the Earth’s surface using an airborne craft or an elevated position sufficient to give a similar effect.
ALTERED REALITY (aka CREATIVE)
An Altered Reality is a Creative image that may be of any subject and must look unrealistic, typically by displaying a change in natural colour or form or shape or any combination of these three. Any effect may be produced by in-camera manipulation or by digital post-processing for by a combination of both. High Dynamic Range (HDR) images without further changes are not considered ‘altered reality’. The original image must be made by the entrant on photographic emulsion or captured digitally. All images must be original and may not incorporate any elements produced by anyone else or via Artificial Intelligence. All adaption and alteration of original images must be by the entrant.
FLORA/FAUNA
An image depicting any living creature, including fish/insects/birds/invertebrates/reptiles/amphibians/domestic pets/farm animals but excluding humans.
ARCHITECTURE
A photograph depicting the interior or exterior of any man-made structure portraying the surface texture, lighting, colour or geometry and emphasising the character or beauty of the structure and suggesting its purpose or human associations.
LARGE PRINTS OPEN
Images must conform with the “Open” definition. They will be mounted on 500mm x 700mm mats. The image area of the prints will such that it will be too big to have been printed on A3+.
OPEN
Any subject, but to be successful it should contain one or more of the following qualities — strong pictorial appeal, good composition and lighting, impact or story telling interest.
- Monochrome may only contain shades of one colour. If toning is carried out, it must be over the total photograph — partial toning and/or the addition of one extra colour is not acceptable.
- Colour refers to a photograph that is not a monochrome photograph.
PORTRAIT/PEOPLE
A photograph of a person or persons that may range from a head study to full body length. This section includes candid photographs and formal portrait.
SCAPES
Scapes (Landscape/Seascape/Cityscape – see below) – An image featuring an expansive view. Generally, a scape could be defined as a ‘vista’ or a ‘broad view’ of the subject.
- Landscape
A landscape is a picture of natural inland scenery displayed in a pictorial fashion. It may include evidence of man, people, animals and even part of the sea provided that none of these dominate the picture. - Seascape
A seascape is a photograph of natural coastal scenery, a wave study or a picture of the open sea. People, boats and items related to these may be present as incidental items in the picture. - Cityscape
The urban equivalent of a landscape, a cityscape depicts the built form and shape of a city or town (or one of its parts) through general or broad views of buildings and/or streets. Architectural detail images of one or more buildings are not considered cityscapes.
SOCIAL DOCUMENTARY
An image concerned with the portrayal and interpretation of society.
STATEMENT ON SUBJECT – APPLICABLE TO ALL SECTIONS
The fundamental rule that must be observed at all times and applies to all sections is that the welfare of living creatures is more important than any photograph. This means that practices such as baiting of subjects with a living creature and removal of birds from nests, for the purpose of obtaining a photograph, are highly unethical, and such photographs are not permissible. Under no circumstances may a living creature be placed in a situation where it will be killed, injured or stressed for the purpose of obtaining a photograph. Images that show live creatures being fed to captive animals, birds or reptiles are not permitted under any circumstances. There are also concerns about the use of aerial photography, drones, helicopters, and low flying aircraft. These should not cause any interference with other individuals or animals which causes a disturbance in their normal activity or disrupt the way any individuals or animals interact with their environment. Entrants should comply with all relevant laws and regulations, associated with aerial photography, in the country in which the image was taken. Entry is conditional on accepting these policies. The content of images must comply with the General Conditions and with the Division and Section definitions listed in these conditions. Images that – in the sole opinion of the judges or the Exhibition Organisers – do not comply, will be disqualified.
Note: We will be asking the people with the winning images in the digital sections to provide a high resolution version of their image.
Step 4 – Making a logon – Entry Form
You will direct to a different website. Paranoid web browsers may throw up all sorts of dire warnings. However, it is OK to proceed. (Trust me!)
Please note: Logons from previous years do not carry forward to the current year
Worksheet to help with preparing your entry list is also available here (PDF)