Important Rules Reminder
With so much going on in our lives it’s easy to forget some of the rules of our camera club.
I just want to remind our members of the following part of our rules.
Number of Entries and Restriction on Entries
In each monthly competition members may enter a total of three (3) images with no more than two images in any one category, irrespective of the format (print or EDI) used.
What this basically means that if you were, for example, to enter 2 images in Digital colour, you cannot then enter any in Print colour as you have already entered the maximum of 2 entries in the colour category.
This of course, goes for all the categories.
As our website is not sophisticated enough to be able to monitor entries over the different formats (Digital versus Print), we need our members to keep this rule in mind and monitor themselves.
It would be an enormous task for me to have to go through all entries each month to check members haven’t exceeded the limits to each category which is why I’m putting out this post as a reminder.
I don’t believe any of our members would deliberately exceed the limits in each category. I believe when this has happened that it’s a simple oversight on behalf of that member.
Please remember that our rules document in on the website for anyone who may need a refresher on the rules.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me by email suewinsley@iinet.net.au if any more clarification is needed.
by Sue Winsley, February 13, 2024
March Competition
We had another very successful competition night at the club last night with an excellent rollup.
Our judge Nicole Curtis did a great job with the judging and I’m sure we all learned a lot from her different perspective she gave us on our images.
Nicole was very generous with giving awards which would have given us all a boost to our confidence for starting the year out.
It certainly was great to see so many prints from our members. There were some very impressive images.
Congratulations and well done everyone!
Our next competition night is on Monday 11th March.
Entries will be both print and digitals.
Our March digital images are due in by 11:59 pm Saturday 24th February. That gives us only 11 more days.
Unfortunately, if you miss the deadline there is nothing we can do. The images are passed onto the judge early in the morning on the day after and the competition cannot be reopened.
If you miss the deadline for the digitals you can always choose to put in print entries instead.
The prints sections will close 2 days before competition night (At 11:59 pm on the Saturday before the competition. Saturday 9th March).
You then need to bring your prints with you on the night and have them on the stands by 6:30.
Please put the dates in your calendar where you’ll remember.
Our set subject for February is:
“Nature” – The definition we are using for Nature is the PSA/FIAP Nature Definition…..
Please read this definition thoroughly as it will be strictly followed when our Nature images are judged.
The international definition of ‘Nature Photography’
Nature photography records all branches of natural history except anthropology and archaeology. This includes all aspects of the physical world, both animate and inanimate, that have not been made or modified by humans.
Nature images must convey the truth of the scene that was photographed. A well-informed person should be able to identify the subject of the image and be satisfied that it has been presented honestly and that no unethical practices have been used to control the subject or capture the image. Images that directly or indirectly show any human activity that threatens the life or welfare of a living organism are not allowed.
The most important part of a Nature image is the nature story it tells.
High technical standards are expected, and the image must look natural. Adding a vignette or blurring the background during processing is not allowed.
Objects created by humans, and evidence of human activity, are allowed in Nature images only when they are a necessary part of the Nature story.
Photographs of human-created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domesticated animals, human-created hybrid animals and mounted or preserved zoological specimens are not allowed.
Images taken with subjects under controlled conditions, such as zoos, are allowed.
Controlling live subjects by chilling, anaesthetic or any other method of restricting natural movement for the purpose of a photograph is not allowed.
No modification that changes the truth of a Nature image is allowed. Images may be cropped but no other technique that removes, adds or moves any part of the image is allowed.
Techniques that remove elements added by the camera, such as dust spots, digital noise and lens flare are allowed.
Complete conversion of colour images to greyscale monochrome is allowed. Partial conversion, toning and infrared captures or conversions are not allowed.
Images of the same subject that are combined in camera or with software by focus stacking or exposure blending are allowed. Multiple images with overlapping fields of view that are taken consecutively and combined in camera or with software (image stitching) are allowed.
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
In addition to the restrictions on Nature photography, images in Wildlife sections of exhibitions must meet the following conditions:
- Zoological organisms must be living free and unrestrained in a natural or adopted habitat of their own choosing.
- Images of zoological organisms that have been removed from their natural habitat, are in any form of captivity or are being controlled by humans for the purpose of photography are not allowed.
- Botanical organisms may not be removed from their natural environment for the purpose of photography.
- Images that have been staged for the purpose of photography are not allowed.
For more information and guidelines please visit Roy Killen’s website https://www.roykillen.photography and look in the Nature Photography section where you will also find the official PSA Guide for Nature Photographers and judges which was written by Roy.
As well as our set subject we will have are usual colour and mono categories.
Please remember that for 2023 we can still only enter 3 images each in total.
Note: We can only put in 2 entries per section (Colour, Mono or Set Subject) per member.
We could choose 2 prints or 2 EDI’s or 1 Print and 1 EDI per section.
Remember, print and digital for each section is 1 category for the purposes of entering.
Our judge for March is Roy Killen.
Most of us know Roy quite well. Below is a little information about himself that Roy has supplied.
My main interest is nature photography.
I have been competing in international competitions since 2008 and have received more than 5700 acceptances and more than 400 awards. Through these competitions I have gained the following photographic distinctions:
- EFIAP (Excellence award, International Federation of Photographic Arts)
- GMPSA (Grand Masters award, Photographic Society of America)
- GMAPS (Grand Masters award, Australian Photographic Society)
- APSEM (Australian Photographic Society Exhibitors Medal)
In 2015 I was awarded the Nature Medallion by the Australian Photographic Society.
I regularly judge competitions at club, national and international levels.
I frequently present workshops for photography clubs on photographic techniques and image processing.
I am the Membership Vice President of the Photographic Society of America (PSA) and I am happy to assist you with any PSA related matters.
Good luck to everyone with your “Nature” Images.
If you have any questions please contact me on suewinsley@iinet.net.au
by Sue Winsley, February 13, 2024
Results for competitions in February 2024 – Print
There were 28 entries that were rated the highest by our judge(s).
Members can view all images and comment on them by following this link
View / Comment entries in February 2024 – Print
click here to see a pdf catalog of all competition results
Ground Elder Joy Thomas – Merit-Judges-Choice A Grade Open Colour Print |
Scream Benjamin Halse – Merit-Judges-Choice A Grade Open Mono Print |
Who Me_ Helen Oliver – Merit-Judges-Choice Open Grade Open Colour Print |
Woman in the Window David Price – Merit-Judges-Choice Advanced Open Colour Print |
Winter In Milan Elisabeth Fidler – Merit-Judges-Choice Advanced Open Mono Print |
Here Come The Girls Elisabeth Fidler – Merit-Judges-Choice Advanced Set Subject Print |
Hanging Bikes Nancy Morley – Merit A Grade Open Colour Print |
Ancient water cooling floor Jan Whittles – Merit A Grade Open Mono Print |
London Eye Joy Thomas – Merit A Grade Open Mono Print |
Big Job Window Cleaning David Vane – Merit A Grade Open Mono Print |
The girl in the bubble Tanya Heather – Merit Advanced Open Colour Print |
Early Bird 2 Mike Fidler – Merit Advanced Open Colour Print |
Steel Dandylions Brian Halse – Merit Advanced Open Colour Print |
The handmaids escape David Whyte – Merit Advanced Open Colour Print |
The piercing blue Brad Le Brocque – Merit Advanced Open Colour Print |
Whats to the Left of the future Brad Le Brocque – Merit Advanced Open Colour Print |
Under the Wave David Henderson – Merit Advanced Open Colour Print |
Top Pick Colleen Price – Merit Advanced Open Colour Print |
Cottage Tannery David Price – Merit Advanced Open Colour Print |
Feeling Small Rene Schipper – Merit Advanced Open Colour Print |
Wheels Links Steam David Price – Merit Advanced Open Mono Print |
Wild Ride David Henderson – Merit Advanced Open Mono Print |
Please Help Ian English – Merit Advanced Set Subject Print |
Mysterious Woman Tanya Heather – Merit Advanced Set Subject Print |
Take Off Mike Fidler – Merit Advanced Set Subject Print |
Devastation Brian Halse – Merit Advanced Set Subject Print |
Pastel Kiss Colleen Price – Merit Advanced Set Subject Print |
Tiny Dancer Sue Winsley – Merit Advanced Set Subject Print |
by Sue Winsley, February 12, 2024
Results for competitions in February 2024 – Digital
There were 16 entries that were rated the highest by our judge(s).
Members can view all images and comment on them by following this link
View / Comment entries in February 2024 – Digital
click here to see a pdf catalog of all competition results
Greetings my Friend 0433 Bob Carey – Merit-Judges-Choice A Grade Open Colour Digital |
Concentration Robert Kildey – Merit-Judges-Choice A Grade Open Mono Digital |
Jenny Latecia Ferris – Merit-Judges-Choice A Grade Set Subject Digital |
Ouch Glyn Atkinson – Merit-Judges-Choice Open Grade Open Colour Digital |
the Harbour Bridge from the Ferry Betty Moncrieff – Merit-Judges-Choice Open Grade Open Mono Digital |
Tosh beach Tim Kemp – Merit-Judges-Choice Advanced Open Colour Digital |
Portrait Tim Kemp – Merit-Judges-Choice Advanced Open Mono Digital |
Hurry on by Megan Willis – Merit-Judges-Choice Advanced Set Subject Digital |
The Flash John Payne – Merit A Grade Set Subject Digital |
Plovers in the mist Bettina Damme – Merit Advanced Open Colour Digital |
George Street Neville Thorogood – Merit Advanced Open Mono Digital |
Seedpods Toni Conquest – Merit Advanced Open Mono Digital |
My Tern for a bath Megan Willis – Merit Advanced Open Mono Digital |
Vivid Wendy Newbury – Merit Advanced Set Subject Digital |
Walk on the Beach Bettina Damme – Merit Advanced Set Subject Digital |
Unclear Tanya Heather – Merit Advanced Set Subject Digital |
by Sue Winsley, February 12, 2024
Important Reminder
Please bring along tonight, any images that you have to showcase your work, for the Newcastle Show. Your name and club on back and title on the front. 6-8 prints A3 matboards. Joy Thomas will collect these.
by Colleen Price, February 12, 2024
Sydney Photographic exhibition
I have had plenty of interest in this trip so I have scheduled a date for a guided tour with the library. I will send out more details closer
Date :11 April 2024
Time: 11am
Duration: 30-45 minutes
by David Whyte, February 9, 2024
Photographic exhibition Sydney
The state library of NSW is holding a photographic exhibition on Australian photography, both historical and modern, for most of this year. They offer a guided service for about 10-20 people, so I am looking into organising a trip. The plan would be to catch the 8am train down from Morisset which would allow us to start the tour at about 11am then we would have lunch at Circular Quay. The afternoon would be free to some street photography allowing everyone to catch the train home in their own time. There would be some walking as we need to get from Martin Place to the library and then some walking around, probably no more than a few Kms. At this stage I am seeing if there are enough numbers before booking the tour. It would be in the second half of April but outside school holidays. If you are interested, please drop me a line preferably before the end of next week as I will then be in NZ for a month. David
by David Whyte, February 8, 2024
Tutorials
Hello, I am looking into tutorials for this year and I am approaching members to see if they have any ideas or can give a tutorial. Ian English has already done one on self portraits and is following that up with more sessions. I am giving a talk on Adventure photography in March and I am seeing if any members can offer something for the tutorial sessions. It can be a subject that you are very familiar with or it can be a photo trip that you have been on. If you have been on a specific photo journey and have some nice images to show and can talk about the gear you took then that would be ideal. Also if there is something you would like to see in a tutorial session then drop me an email. David
by David Whyte, February 2, 2024
Short BIO for Nicole Curtis
Hi All,
I have heard back from our February Judge Nicole Curtis with a little information about her journey with photography, which is as follows:
I first joined Maitland club in the mid 2000’s after I’d returned from India and Nepal with some images from my old canon camera. I have a visual art background but joining the camera club taught me a lot about the technical aspects of photography. I am interested in photography that evokes emotion or shows the viewer a new perspective of aspect of a visual concept. I am currently in the process of completing a PhD in visual learning and am also assistant principal at Rutherford public school.
by Sue Winsley, January 22, 2024
PSA Interclub
The second round for PSA Interclub entries closes on Sunday Feb 4th.
Please support your club and enter your new images in the appropriate sections. They do not have to have been entered in the club comps, so any new images you have for upcoming club comps are welcome. If they have been entered in PSA Interclub on our club website, they are ready to go for the club comps and you do not have to recreate the images.
Thanks for your help.
by Ian English, January 19, 2024