Competitions

Print Competitions:

Monochrome, General-A and General-B and two additional categories from the following: Nature, Photojournalism (PJ), Creative and Travel.

Each entrant is allowed a maximum of three prints or digital (combined) per print category, but not to exceed a total of six prints or digital (combined) per competiton.

  1. Preparation of Print Entries: All print entries must be mounted on mounting board and matted with maker's choice of matboard. While there are no restrictions on the choice of matboard for the monthly critique, the annual show may have different criteria. Total thickness, including the window mat, may not exceed 1/8" and the dimensions not larger than 16" x 20". A 2" x 4" identification sticker properly filled out must be placed at upper left corner on the back of the print.
  2. A digital copy of each print should be submitted to the milpitascamera.photopursuits.com web site.
  3. Be sure to give your image an apprporiate title:

Digital Competitions:

Digital competitions may be held on the same day as Print. Categories are: Monochrome, General-A, General-B, Mobile and two additional categories from the following: Nature, Photojournalism (PJ), Creative and Travel.

Each entrant is allowed a maximum of three prints or digital (combined) per print category, but not to exceed a total of six prints or digital (combined) per competiton.

  1. Preparation of Digital Entries: Maximum pixel size is 1920 (horizontal) x 1080 (vertical). Apply any sharpening after resizing.
  2. Images are submitted to the milpitascamera.photopursuits.com web site.
  3. Be sure to give your image an apprporiate title:

Categories

General-A, General-B: (PicA and PicB)

Color image, any subject is eligible. The entire photographic process, except film/print processing, must be the work of the maker. The original image must be made on photographic emulsion or acquired with a digital camera. In judging, the emphasis is on interest, visual impact, composition and technical excellence. Compete in General-A if you feel you are more advanced photographer, General-B if you are a beginner or a new member.

Monochrome: (Mono)

The same said for the General above applies to the Monochrome except that the final element is in the form of a Black & White or one-tone image. Color provided by a toning process (chemically or digitally) is acceptable in this category. Hand-painted monochrome prints are entered in the General or Creative Division.

Nature: (Nat)

Entries in this Division depict observations from all branches of natural history, except Anthropology and Archeology in such a fashion that a well-informed person will be able to identify the subject material and to certify to its honest presentation. The storytelling value of a photograph is weighed more than the pictorial quality. Human elements should not be present unless on the rare occasion where those human elements enhance the nature story. The title is integral to the image. It should be scientific, factual and descriptive.

Photojournalism: (PJ)

Photojournalism entries consist of pictures or sequences with informative content and emotional impact, including human interest, documentary and spot news. The journalistic value of the photograph is considered over the pictorial quality. In the interest of credibility photographs that misrepresent the truth, such as manipulation that alters the subject matter or situations that are set up for the purpose of photography, are unacceptable in this Division. The title is integral to the image and should complement the story.

Travel: (Trav)

A Travel photograph must express the feeling of a time and place, portrays a land, its people or a culture in its natural state and has no geographical limitations. Ultra close-ups that lose their identity, studio type model shots or photographic manipulations that misrepresent the true situation or alter the content of the image are unacceptable in this Division. The title is integral to the image and must include the name of the place.

Creative: (Cre)

A creative photograph is an image of altered reality, produced by use of tools or techniques to manipulate the image during any part of the work flow. Emphasis in this Division is placed upon creativity and originality. A few examples of tools and techniques to produce creative images:
  • Special effect filters
  • Multiple exposures
  • Time exposures
  • Sandwiches
  • Collages
  • Shoot through various media such as textured glass or foggy windows
  • Camera movement zoom while shooting
  • Use of black light, projection of light patterns onto images
  • Use of prisms, mirrors and mylars
  • Use of unconventional chemicals to process film
  • Optical illusions
  • Use of computer software

Mobile: (Mob)

An image captured on a "mobile" device, such as a phone or tablet (not a dedicated camera). Any post-processing of the image should also be accomplished on a mobile device (not necessarily the same mobile device).