MONO: A black and white image with various shades of grey. A black and white image toned entirely in a single colour will remain a monochrome work suitable for this category. A black and white work modified by a partial toning or addition of one colour becomes a colour work to stand in the colour category. Full manipulation of any description is allowed. Monochrome Nature images which have been manipulated, can be entered in Mono category but will be judged against Mono criteria (ie nature story not that important if entered in Mono category).
NATURE (NO BIRDS): Manipulation is not allowed – Colour: Nature includes all branches of natural history, except anthropology and archaeology. Nature images include landscapes, geologic formations & weather phenomena and includes images taken with the subjects in controlled conditions. Photographs of artificially created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domestic animals, farm animals or mounted specimens are ineligible. No birds may be entered here. Human elements, if present should not detract from or overpower the subject. If birds are present the birds must be the secondary feature.
Kgalagadi Cheetah – Haydn McClure
Horntail Wasp – Shannon Clark
NATURE (BIRDS ONLY): Manipulation is not allowed – Colour: Nature images of Birds – subjects may be in controlled conditions. Photographs of feral/domestic/farm birds or mounted specimens are ineligible. Human elements, if present should not detract from or overpower the subject. If other animals are present the bird/s must be the main feature.
COLOUR OPEN: Subject matter is totally open. Elements must be predominantly photographic; if graphic elements are included they must be the photographer’s own artwork and must enhance the photographic image but not take over from it. When a photo qualifies to be entered into another category in this competition then it cannot be entered into the Open category and may be disqualified. Only Colour images accepted. Nature images which have been manipulated, can be entered in Open category but will be judged against Open criteria (ie nature story not that important if entered in Open category).
PHOTOJOURNALISM / SPORT: Photojournalism entries have informative content and emotional impact which usually includes human interest, documentary, news or sport. The journalistic value of the image shall receive priority over the pictorial quality. In the interests of credibility, images that misrepresent the truth and staged setups are not permitted. Manipulation not permitted. This category also includes “Street Photography” – Street photography records un-posed scenes in public places. The primary subject is people and/or symbols of people, at rest or in motion, alone or with others, going about their everyday activities. This is a sub-genre of Photojournalism which, by implication, prohibits any photo manipulation. Both B&W and Colour images accepted.
Beach Drama – Brian Roberts
All Action – Deborah Du Plessis
SCAPES: A genre intended to show different spaces within the world, usually vast and unending. A landscape comprises the visible features of an area and physical elements such as landforms, water, living elements of flora and fauna and abstract elements like lightning and weather conditions. It could be pure nature or include man and/or beast. ‘Scapes is a term that covers the depiction of scenery such as mountains, valleys, trees, rivers, forests, sea, cities etc. where the main subject is a wide view with its elements arranged into a coherent composition. Scapes may be natural or man-made. Derived terms include: Cityscape; cloudscape; nightscape; seascape; snowscape; streetscape; sandscape; urban scape etc. A panorama is an image with elongated fields of view, with an aspect ratio of 2:1 or larger, the image being at least twice as wide as its height. Manipulation is allowed. Both B&W and Colour images accepted.
SET SUBJECT: The set subject of the month is changed monthly. Colour or Mono images accepted. (rules apply as per the OPEN categories) Full manipulation allowed. NB – IMAGES MAY NOT BE OLDER THAN 12 MONTHS. (any images that do not meet this requirement will be disqualified)
VISUAL ART: Visual Art photography is photography created in line with the vision of the photographer as artist, using photography as a medium for creative expression. The goal of Visual Art photography is to express an idea, a message or an emotion. The image must make an impact on the viewer; it has to tell a story and it must document technical skill. Visual Art Photography can be – Abstract: An exercise in composition for the sake of art. The real identity the abstractionist’s subject is not important and the result is not intended to be anything specific. Abstract usages rely more on form, colour and curves than they rely on image detail. Consider these elements: Concept; Composition; Focal Point; Lighting; Harmony; Mystery; Colour. The image should have balance and structure. Altered Reality: An image which gives impact and tells a story. It must be technically sound, have good composition, tone. The image must display obvious change in natural colour, form, shape or any combination of these three. Altered Reality images are often composites (a blending or composite of multiple images). Scenes could be created by rearranging, replacing, adding or removing content from the original image(s). This can be done in camera or in post-processing. Pictorial: an image made for the artistic interest of the subject, it is the artistic interpretation of that subject. Consider the beauty of the subject matter; tonality; composition; exposure – rather than the documentation of reality. Manipulation allowed. B&W and Colour images accepted.
KZN INTER CLUB COMPETITION: (CHANGES ANNUALLY) JUNE 2024-MAY 2025 “OUR AFRICA” JUNE 2025 – MAY 2026 “Through the window”
