Submitting images for PSA competitions
Definition of Projected Image Division (PID)
In this Interclub Competition, both color and monochrome images are acceptable. The subject matter is unrestricted. The maker can alter the images, and artwork or computer graphics created by the entrant may be incorporated, if the photographic content predominates. Images may not be constructed entirely within a computer.
Definition of Projected Image Creative Division (PIC)
The Images for this competition may be color or monotone. The image may be of any subject matter and must obviously display a change in natural color, form, shape, or any combination of these three. All images must be entirely the work of the maker and may not incorporate elements produced by anyone else. Artwork or computer graphics generated by the entrant may be incorporated if the original photographic content predominates. Images may not be constructed entirely within a computer. High Dynamic Range (HDR) images without further changes are not considered "Altered Reality." All parts of the image must originate as photographs; therefore, no elements of the image may originate as "clip art," text, or computer graphics. Manipulation of an image that originated as a photograph is not limited.
Definition of Journalism/Human Interest Division (PJD)
Photos can be any one of two types: Photojournalism or Human Interest.
Photojournalism shall consist of pictures or sequences with informative content and emotional impact, including human interest, documentary, and spot news. The journalistic value of the photograph shall be considered over pictorial quality. In the interest of credibility, photographs which misrepresent the truth, such as manipulation to alter the subject matter, or situations which are set up for the purpose of photography, are unacceptable. The only editing that can be done includes cropping and color correction that could be done in a darkroom.
Human Interest must include one or more persons (not implied, actual persons). Sports action cannot be the main subject of the image (that would be considered "sports photography"). You may have person(s) in sports gear, but not actual sports action. Additionally, the images must show some type of interaction, emotion or unusual situation and the subject matter cannot be staged.
Definition of Photo Travel Division (PTD)
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 are not appropriate. Close up pictures of people or objects must include features that provide information about the environment.
Techniques that add, relocate, replace, or remove any element of the original image, except by cropping, are not permitted. The only allowable adjustments are removal of dust or digital noise, restoration of the appearance of the original scene, and complete conversion to greyscale monochrome. Other derivations, including infrared, are not permitted. All allowed adjustments must appear natural.
Definition of Nature Division
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 while maintaining high technical quality. Human elements shall not be present, except where those human elements are integral parts of the nature story such as nature subjects, like barn owls or storks, adapted to an environment modified by humans, or where those human elements are in situations depicting natural forces, like hurricanes or tidal waves. Scientific bands, scientific tags or radio collars on wild animals are permissible. Photographs of human created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domestic animals, or mounted specimens are ineligible, as is any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement.
No techniques that add, relocate, replace, or remove pictorial elements except by cropping are permitted. Techniques that enhance the presentation of the photograph without changing the nature story or the pictorial content, or without altering the content of the original scene, are permitted including HDR, focus stacking and dodging/burning. Techniques that remove elements added by the camera, such as dust spots, digital noise, and film scratches, are allowed. Stitched images are not permitted. All allowed adjustments must appear natural. Color images can be converted to grey-scale monochrome. Infrared images, either direct-captures or derivations, are not allowed.
Technical info for images
- Number of Entries – You can enter as many images as you want. There is a committee that will select the images entered into the competition.
- Title – The title assigned to the image must not contain the makers name or other information. It should be the title of the image.
- Image Format – All images must be in the JPEG format.
- Image Size – Images may not exceed 1400 pixels wide and 1050 pixels high.
- Color Space – Images should be in the sRGB color space.
- Image Quality – Images should be saved using the highest quality possible.