Any images submitted may be in landscape (long edge on top and bottom), portrait (long edge on sides), or square orientation.
Portrait
The person or animal is the subject of a portrait image.
The face is usually considered an essential aspect of a portrait. In this category, you may submit images that are traditional head/face portraits, but you may also submit environmental, ‘creative’ non-traditional, and animal portraiture. We will accept entries under this category of the following subjects:
- Traditional portraits
- Animal portraits
- Babies/children
- Self-portraits
- Environmental portraits
- Sports, where the person is clearly the subject of the image
Images submitted in this category may include minor corrections, including blemish removal, tonal value adjustments, cropping, and sharpening. No digital composites in this category, please.
Landscape/Seascape
The scenery is the subject of a landscape or seascape image.
City skylines are considered cityscapes, but for this competition, cityscapes, seascape, and landscape may all be submitted under this category. Typically, people or animals are not included in a landscape photograph, and if included, should not be significant or recognizable.
Night photography and time lapse photography may be submitted under this category.
We will accept submissions with any of these three significant styles under landscape/seascape photography
- Representational (also known as realistic or straight descriptive style)
- Impressionistic
- Abstract/Conceptual
Representational:
- Representational landscapes are the most realistic out of all the approaches to landscape photography. Representational landscape photography is basically ‘what you see is what you get.’ No props or artificial components added. Particular attention to the lighting and composition of the image is imperative.
Impressionistic:
- An impressionistic landscape can be a somewhat vague or elusive representation of reality. The photographs will make the scene seem slightly surreal.
Abstract/Conceptual:
- Abstract landscapes utilize components of the scenery as graphic components. With abstract or conceptual landscape photography, the design is more important than a realistic representation. The photographer may emphasize something which seems counterintuitive to emphasize.
Nature and Wildlife
Nature can include landscapes, geologic formations, weather phenomena etc. as the primary subject. Macro and stacked images may be submitted under this category.
Wildlife images can be animals, birds, insects, marine, and botanical subjects. Human elements should not be noticeable or significant, except where they are an integral part of the story such as barn owls adapted to the human environment. Scientific banding such as tags or radio collars are permitted.
Pictures of domestic animals, cultivated plants and environments, and mounted specimens are ineligible. Images of zoo or game farm animals, taken under controlled conditions are not eligible in Wildlife sections, but may be submitted under the Photo-manipulation, Alternative, and Other Processes category.
Photo-manipulation, Alternative, and Other Processes
Photo-manipulation includes digitally altering the content of a picture by adding, rearranging, reversing, distorting or removing people and objects from within the frame. Digitally composited images will be accepted under this category.
Landscapes that include sky replacements or the removal of objects should be submitted in this category.
Other subjects submitted under this category include those where the scene has been manufactured and include:
- Still life
- Food photography
Phoneography and Alternative (cell and drone photography)
Only images captured on a mobile device, including drones will be accepted under this category. No DSLR, mirrorless, or analog cameras.
The subject for this category is completely open.