Competition Rules and Merit Award System

1. GENERAL
 
1.1 In this document, "slide" refers to a traditional transparent film slide, either color or black and white. "Digital image file" or "digital file" or, simply, "digital" refers to a computer file containing a digital image. Slides and digital files yield projected images. "Print" is an image residing on a tangible and opaque material, transferred there by either traditional wet darkroom technology or digital technology.
 
1.2 Competitions in slides, digital files, prints (monochrome and color), and image shows (slide, digital, and print) will be held each month except July and August. Slide, digital, and print competitions will normally be held on the third Wednesday of the month. Image show competitions will normally be held on the last Wednesday of each month when scheduled; if not scheduled, members will be notified in advance.
 
1.3 Awards are made in each division and class of competition according to the merit award system as defined in section 9 of these rules. There are four divisions. The divisions are:

(1) slides, having one class: Advanced;
(2) digital files, having three classes: Entry, Advanced, Master;
(3) prints, having three classes: Entry, Advanced, Master;
(4) image shows, having two classes: Entry and Advanced.
 
1.4 Definition of Competition Classes
 
Entry Class
 
• is appropriate for photographers with limited photographic skill and experience
• provides an opportunity for new members to find their comfort zone within SCC competitions
• provides an entrance for members who might be new to competition
 
Advanced Class
 
• is appropriate for photographers with advanced skill and experience who want to compete at a higher level
• is appropriate for members with experience in photographic competition
• provides a competitive class for consistent winners at the Entry Class to move into
•judging standards for the Advanced Class are higher than for the Entry Class
 
Master Class
 
• is appropriate for photographers with a very high degree of photographic skill and experience who seek the highest level of competition.
• provides a competitive class for consistent winners at the Advanced Level to move into.
• judging standards for the Master Level are at the highest level, encompassing both artistic and technical merit.
 
Based on these guidelines, members choose the class in which to enter their prints based on their ability and on their desire for a particular level of competition. Wherever the member enters at the beginning of the year is where he/she will remain for the entire competition year.
 
When a member in the Entry Class achieves the 150 point “Photographer” milestone award, that member will automatically be promoted to the Advanced Class the following year,
 
1.5 The copyright of a digital image file copied to the SCC computer remains with the creator of the image. Permission to copy a digital image file to the SCC computer grants the SCC no rights other than the right to display the image in an SCC competition or image show, and then only at the request of the image's creator.
 
2. COMPETITION YEAR
 
2.1 The competition year for the purpose of determining annual competition awards and merit point award winners will start with the September competition and end with the June competition the following year.
 
3. DIVISION CLASSIFICATIONS
 
3.1 Slide Division: The Slide Division has one class which is the Advanced Class. Maximum number of entries - two per competition. (see 4.4 below)
 
3.2 Digital File Division: The Digital File Division is divided into three classes: Entry Class, Advanced Class and Master Class. Members choose the class in which to enter their digital files based on their ability and on their desire for a particular level of competition. Wherever the member enters at the beginning of the year is where he/she will remain for the entire competition year. Maximum number of entries - two per competition. (see 4.4 below)
 
3.3 Print Division: Club competition in the Print Division is divided into three classes: Entry Class, Advanced Class and Master Class. All three classes accept both film and digital prints. It does not matter how the print was made as long as the photo is the photographer's own work. Maximum numbers of entries - two per competition. (see 4.4 below)
 
3.4 Image show Division: Image shows consist of a sequence of slides, digital files, or prints, and, if desired, accompanied by appropriate narrative and/or music. Entries may be either of two types: Maxi or Mini. Within each type, there will be two classes, entry and advanced. Syracuse Camera Club will conduct regular image show competitions open to all club members.
 
4. GENERAL COMPETITION RULES
 
4.1 Competitions are open to all subject matter except when a specific theme has been designated beforehand by the membership, the only other restriction being that of good taste.
 
4.2 Each member who wishes may submit 3 topics for subjects for 3 special competitions during the following year. From this list, the top 3 subjects will be selected after each member casts up to 3 votes.  No special topic may be repeated over a 3 year period.
 
4.3 Slides, prints and digital images that have placed first, second, third or honorable mention in any class of any division may not be entered again. However, slides, prints and digital images that have placed first, second, third or honorable mention in any class of any division may be entered in an image show.
 
4.4 Members may submit up to 4 images in a competition. Images may be entered in any division, but no more than two images may be entered in any one division. For example, a member could enter 2 prints, one slide and one digital image for a total of 4 images; or 2 prints and 2 digital images for a total of 4 images, 1 print, 2 slides and 1 digital image for a total of 4 images, etc. Members are encouraged to compete in as many divisions as they wish.
 
4.5 All entries must be the member's own work and must bear the title and maker's name clearly marked. In the case of digital image files, this requirement can be met by presenting a card containing the photographer's name, the title of the image, and the name of the file.
 
4.6 Good Sportsmanship: Competitions are for the instruction and entertainment of the membership, and good sportsmanship is expected. It is considered unsporting to enter slides, digital files, or prints which represent slight modifications in subject matter, or mounting or cropping of photographs which have won in previous contests. Prints (monochrome or color) derived from slides are permitted to be entered in competition in all circumstances. In the interest of good sportsmanship, a print and a slide of the identical photograph should not be entered into competition the same night.
 
4.7 Once judging has started, latecomers may enter only a division not being judged and must do so immediately. For example, if slides are being judged, prints and digital files may still be entered.
 
4.8 Slides, digital files, prints, and image shows must be entirely the work of the member except where specifically allowed otherwise in these rules.
 
4.9 Slides, digital files, and prints which won in competition during the year cannot be changed in any way for year-end judging.
 
4.10 In any one competition, the number of awards to be awarded is as follows.
 
• when there are 5 entries: award 1st
• when there are 6 or 7 entries award 1st and 2nd
• when there are 8 or 9 entries: award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
• when there are 10 to 14 entries: award 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 1 honorable mention
• when there are 15 to 24 entries: award 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 2 honorable mentions
• when there are 25 to 34 entries: award 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 3 honorable mentions
• when there are 35 or more entries: the 10% rule will apply
 
When there are 4 or fewer entries, the member may either (a) move to the next highest level* for that competition only or (b) withdraw his/her image and be given 1 point for entering.

*the higher level points would be awarded should the image win.  Should the image win in the higher level it must be entered in the year-end competition in the member's regular (lower) class.
 
5. SLIDE COMPETITION RULES
 
5.1 35mm slides must be in standard 2 x 2 inch cardboard or glass mounts. Glass over a cardboard mount is not acceptable.
 
5.2 35 mm slides must be thumb spotted in the lower left corner as viewed properly by eye, with the entrant's name on the same side. A title or other means of identification is also needed, and may be on either side.
 
6. DIGITAL FILE COMPETITION RULES
 
6.1 For the sake of color accuracy and image quality, it is recommended that entries in the digital projected image competitions be in the sRGB color space. No attempt will be made, however, to exclude entries not in the sRGB color space.
 
6.2 Each image file must be accompanied by an entry card properly filled out with title of the image, the name of the photographer and the class of competition (Entry, Advanced or Master).
 
6.3 The file name of the image must be the title of the image,
 
6.4 Image files should be prepared and submitted on a USB drive.
 
6.5 In order to determine the maker of images in digital projected image competitions in an orderly and efficient manner, the titles of digital files may be shown with the digital images during digital projected image competitions.
 
7. PRINT COMPETITION RULES
 
7.1 All three print classes allow both film and digital prints. It does not matter how the print was made as long as the photo is the photographer’s own work.
 
7.2 Prints may be either color or monochromatic and, if the latter, they may be hand colored, tinted, or toned.
 
7.3 Prints may be any size up to 16 x 20 inches and not smaller than 5 x 7 inches. They must be securely mounted on matte board or foam core not smaller than 8 x 10 inches or larger than 16 x 20 inches. Prints may not be framed.
 
7.4 The title and maker's name must appear on the back of the mounted print in the upper left hand comer. Each print must be positively identified and upright position indicated, if not obvious.
 
8. IMAGE SHOW COMPETITION RULES
 
8.1 The subject of the image show may be either a photo travelogue of domestic or foreign origin or a photo essay on any subject of general interest. Awards will be presented to winning entrants according to the merit point award system in this division (see below).
 
8.2 Definitions:
 
A Maxi show may be accompanied by a verbal, written, or recorded narrative or music of from 20 to 45 minutes total presentation time.
 
A Mini show may be accompanied by verbal, written, or recorded narrative or music of not more than 20 minutes total presentation time.
 
8.3 Entry Procedure: Participants should submit an entry request to the image show chairperson as early as possible (written or verbal). Entrants may submit up to two image shows per month at the discretion of the image show chairperson, depending upon availability of scheduling time.
 
8.4 Scheduling: Maxi and Mini shows will be scheduled by the image show chairperson in consultation with contestants.
 
8.5 When using the club's computer and/or LCD projector, it is the responsibility of the presenter to ensure that his/her image show displays properly on the club's equipment.
 
8.6 Unlike images in the other competition categories, image shows, whether they have won an award or not, may not be entered into competition again.
 
8.7 Originality: In general, images and narrative must be the work of the individual entrant. However, in recognition of the fact that the development and continuity of a theme are essential ingredients for success of a show, the entrant will be allowed to use not more than ten percent of the total number of images from other sources, or copied from publications, or reused from a previous winning set, where needed to achieve continuity, completeness of narrative, or for use as titles.
 
An image or images previously used in a prior image show may be used in another image show as long as the new image show is one with a theme completely distinct from the previous show. Good sportsmanship should dictate that the image or images being reused should be kept to a minimum.
 
8.8 Image show evaluation: Maxi and mini shows will be judged by all members present on the basis of the following criteria (see the image show evaluation form, appended to these rules):
 
A) Overall Photographic Quality
B) Substance and Presentation
C) Organization and Continuity
D) Human Interest, General Appeal, and Audience Response
E) Originality and Variety of Format
 
The above factors will be weighted and a total score determined in accordance with the above criteria as defined in the SCC Show Evaluation Form (copy appended to these rules).
 
8.9 Selection of Annual winners: Top rated maxi and mini shows will qualify for annual awards based on the numerical scores earned at time of show presentation. First place awards will be presented for each class (entry and advanced) in each type of show (maxi and mini) for a total of four first place awards.  In any class and type when there are four or more entries, a second place award will also be presented.
 
Judging will have been done by members of the Syracuse Camera Club present at the show, using the show evaluation form appended to these rules. The image show chairperson will be responsible for adding and recording the scores of each competitor. The first place in each class and type will receive an award which the winner may keep. These will be presented at the annual banquet. Other places will be awarded ribbons.
 
9. PHOTOGRAPHY AND MERIT AWARDS
 
9.1 Objectives: To encourage and honor consistent photographic excellence, the Syracuse Camera Club has established awards for the best slides, digital files, prints, and image shows of the year.
 
9.2 Awards: At or before each June competition, the slide, digital, and print chairpersons will collect all entries which have placed first, second, third, or HM in each of the monthly competitions back to and including the previous September. These will be entered in the final competition with the consent of the makers.
 
9.3 Slides, Digital Files, and Prints will be judged by a panel of qualified judges, not members of the club. The first three places in each class of each division will receive awards which the winners may keep. Runners-up, in number 10% (rounded to the nearest integer: e.g., 25 entries means 3 runners-up) of competitions in each class and each division, will receive HM ribbons. All these awards will be presented at the June banquet.
 
9.4 Slide, Digital File, and Print of the Year: The first place winning slide in the Advanced Class will receive an award for slide of the year. The first place winning digital files in the Entry Class, Advanced Class and Master Class will each receive an award for projected digital image of the year. The first place winning prints in the Entry Class, Advanced Class and Master Class will each receive an award for print of the year. Each of the winners will receive an additional engraved rotating trophy which he or she may retain for one year. The rotating trophy becomes the permanent possession of any member who wins it three times (over any time period), and a new rotating trophy will be purchased.
 
9.5 Image show winners will be selected according to section 8.9 above. The first place in each class and type will receive an award which the winner may keep. Each of the winners will receive an additional engraved rotating trophy which he or she may retain for one year. These will be presented at the annual banquet. Second place winners will be awarded ribbons. Members who present image shows who do not win awards are given merit points toward milestone awards.
 
9.6 Merit award Point system: Merit points will be credited to club members for their participation and winning in Syracuse Camera Club monthly slide, digital file, print, and image show competitions.
 
9.7 Merit points accumulated in slide, digital file, and print divisions, and in their respective classes, will be recorded by the chairpersons or their designee who, at the end of the year, will select the first, second and third place winners of the most points in each division. For this purpose, the points credited to members in each division will be kept separate, but within the division the merit points accumulated by each member between classes (e.g. Entry, Advanced and Master prints) will be additive.
 
9.8 Awards will be presented each June to the three members in each division who place first, second and third in points accumulated during the prior year (September through June).
 
9.9 In addition, awards will be presented in June to members who have reached certain milestones (refer to section 9.13 below) of points accumulated over the years.
 
9.10 Peter Congel Award: To encourage diversity of photographic effort, and to perpetuate the memory of one of the Camera Club's most honored members, the Peter Congel Trophy has been established. The award is given to the member who has accumulated the most points through the competition year from among all members who have competed in at least two of the club’s four divisions.  The award will consist of an annually rotated trophy engraved with the name of each year's winner. The member winning the trophy three times will keep the trophy. If no one succeeds in winning the trophy, it will be retired to club ownership.
 
9.11 MERIT POINT SCHEDULE FOR SLIDES, DIGITAL FILES, AND PRINTS:

9.12 MERIT POINT SCHEDULE FOR IMAGE SHOWS:

9.13 Milestone Awards: The cumulative points won each year by members competing in each non-additive division will be credited by their respective chairpersons towards milestone awards to be presented at the annual June awards banquet. The awards will consist of appropriately engraved plaques or certificates, in accordance with the following schedule:
 
MILESTONE POINT SCHEDULE:

9.14 President's award. A desk paperweight trophy will be awarded to each president at the end of his or her term. If a president serves for more than one year in a row the trophy will be awarded when a new president is elected.
 
 
Revised and approved January 2010