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.

Landscape: (Land)

A landscape photograph must have as its main focus the elements of earth, water, or sky. The category may include cityscapes and seascapes. Landscape photographs have a deep feeling of "space" about them. A Landscape photograph is a picture of an overall scene, rather than any one thing. Unlike the category "Nature," Landscape may include man-made objects, as long as they lend to the definition of the place. An old barn in a pasture would be fine.

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