Competition League Rules

The following rules apply to both the Print and PDI competitions. Every competition must have rules. The following set of rules have been developed over many years to ensure a fair and open playing field for all members.

The rules have been designed with the following philosophy in mind.

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The Rules:-

• Should be inclusive and should allow all members to participate fairly based on their capabilities (3 ability based league tables)

• Shouldn’t exclude members who join after the start of the season or who cannot enter every competition (can be promoted or demoted with just 8 from the otherwise possible 20 images – 10 PDIs, 10 Prints)

• MUST reward quality NOT quantity (league position based on your personal average of your best 8 scores - not a total of images entered)

• Should reward the members who do go the extra mile to enter all 10 images in a PDI or Print competition (they will drop 2 lowest scores)

• Should generally recognise members who enter more images – as they will have a greater number of scores to select their best 8 scores from.

• Should make an allowance for a member who decides to take a ‘season off’ for any reason. Circumstances and reasons for this will not be defined but taking a ‘season off’ does not make a member a poorer photographer who deserves demotion. Two consecutive ‘seasons off’, however, would lead to automatic demotion

 

The following rules shall apply to all Watford Camera Club competitions: –

• The originating photographic material must be the photographer’s own work, but printing/mounting may be done either by the photographer or a 3rd party.

• Having captured the original image, post processing should be carried out by the author who can be advised or supported by a 3rd party.

• All elements of the edited image should be based on the member’s images only. No use of 3rd party backgrounds, skies etc. is allowed - including, but not limited to, those elements which can be found in some editing programs.

• Recognisable images of minors will not be displayed on the camera club website, newsletter or any social media sites without evidence of a model release form.

• Members may not enter competitions if their subscriptions are more than one month in arrears.

• Set Subject entries must not have been taken prior to the date the Set Subject themes were announced and the title of your image should not be the same as the Set Subject theme.

• All competition images must be submitted via the web site using the relevant “email me” form no later than Midnight on the Sunday proceeding the competition being judged. Images must be submitted in the correct size and format and be named/labelled correctly.

 

Levels

To allow for the different skills and experience levels of our photographers, and to allow the judge to adjust their scoring accordingly, the Competition League is split into three levels: GENERAL, INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED for both PDI and Print competitions.

 

New Members within the Competition League

New members joining the club who elect to enter the Competition league will normally be placed in the General Section of the Competition league unless they can show evidence of a reasonable level of competence in photography.

This ‘evidence’ could either be by way of a recognised photographic qualification of an appropriate level or a portfolio of a minimum of 10 Prints or 10 PDIs representing the photographer’s own unaided* work which would be submitted to the club’s Selection Committee for appraisal. At the Selection Committee’s sole discretion, the member will be placed in the most appropriate Section.

The photographic image, including any manipulation, is the member’s own unaided work. Physical printing may be produced by other parties, where prints are submitted rather than PDIs) 

 

NOTE: In exceptional circumstances the selection committee can place a highly able/qualified new member directly into the Advanced league.

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League Tables

The following rules will dictate how the league tables are operated.

• Separate league tables will be run for Print and PDI competitions in each of the 3 levels – General, Intermediate and Advanced.

• Trophies will be awarded to the winners of the 3 levels (General, Intermediate, Advanced) for both Print and PDI competitions – a total of 6 awards.

• Your final position in the PDI or Print league table will be based on your personal average score of your best 8 images. (enter 10 automatically drop worst 2 scores, enter 9 automatically drop worst score, enter 8 and no scores dropped, enter less than 8 and you cannot get an award or a league table position).

• Separate League tables will be produced for the two Set Subject competitions – one for Prints (3 set subject titles) and one for PDIs (3 set subject titles). No scores are dropped.

• In the event of a tie in the regular scoring mechanisms the totals of ‘Points’ will decide position, where ‘Points’ are awarded as follows: 3 ‘Points’ for each first place, 2 ‘Points’ for each second, and 1 ‘Point’ for each third”.

• In the event of a tie in any league table using the above mechanism (points for places) then the will decide position

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Promotions & Demotions

Promotions and Demotions will be on the basis of a two up, two down standard. However, should the number of members in any of the league tables become unbalanced over time, then the Committee reserve the right to demote or promote more or less than 2 members if necessary. Where this is the case the number of demotions or promotions will be made clear before the first Monthly PDI or Print Competition of a season. (*)

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Promotions

• Each year 2 members from General and Intermediate will be promoted to the next highest league. That will be the winner of the PDI league and the winner of the Print league in each case. Where the same person wins both the PDI and Print league the second person promoted will be the next highest person in the final league table (which is calculated based on anything up to the best 16 scores average).

• If you are promoted for your performance in PDI league or the Print league then your promotion will apply to both PDI and Print competitions

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Demotions

• Each year 2 members from Advanced and Intermediate leagues will be demoted. In terms of demotion from Advanced or Intermediate the final league positions will be decided by the average of at least 8, but up to the best 16, scores of their images (see below for some examples of how this could work out.) Failure to enter the minimum 8 entries across PDI and Print will result in no final league position and a formal warning - whereby a repeat of the same issue for 2 consecutive years would result in automatic demotion

• Where 2 or more members are tied in their combined PDI and Prints average in the demotion places the following system will be employed. The number of 20s scored will be the 1st tie-break with the person scoring most 20s staying up in that league. Should that be equal then the number of 19s, then 18s, then 17s and so on, in that order, will decide who stays up – and who is demoted. This would keep a member capable of the highest scores in the higher leagues

• In terms of filling the demotion places for any league for any season, priority will be given to those being demoted automatically for failure to enter the minimum 8 images for two consecutive years. Any remaining demotion spaces will be filled by league table positioning

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Some scoring scenario examples for Promotions and Demotions

(not ALL scenarios are covered below - but hopefully enough to clarify the calculating of averages leading to final league positions resulting in possible promotion and demotion)

• Enter 20 images across the two categories (10 PDIs & 10 Prints) and the best 8 scores in each category (Print & PDI) will be averaged to decide final league position. (i.e an average of 16 scores)

• Enter 8 Print images and 10 PDIs. The 2 lowest scores in PDIs will be dropped and the average will be based on the other 16 scores, leading to a league position

• Enter 9 Prints and 9 PDIs. The lowest score in each category will be dropped and the average of the remaining 16 scores will decide league position

• Enter 8 images in each of the 2 categories (8 Prints & 8 PDIs) and no scores can be dropped meaning the average is calculated from all 16 scores leading to league position

• Enter 10 images in Prints only ( 10 PDIs only) and the 2 lowest scores will be dropped. The final league position will decided by the average of 8 scores

• Enter 10 Prints and 4 PDIs (for example) and the two lowest Print scores will be dropped. The final league position will be decided by the average of 8 Prints and all 4 PDIs

• Enter 6 Prints and 6 PDIs (i.e. less than 8 in both) and no low scores can be dropped. The average would be calculated on all 12 scores and hence decide the league position

• Enter less than 8 images across the 2 categories and no league position will be awarded. A warning will be submitted. Should this be the case for two consecutive years it will result in automatic demotion

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(*) Due to an imbalance between numbers in Advanced and Intermediate which has accrued in the years leading up to 2024-25 season there will be 3 demotions from Advanced (rather than 2) for the seasons 2025-26, 2026-27 & 2027-28. Subsequently, subject to review, there will be the standard 2 up, 2 down in 2028-29 and beyond.

Also for the season 2024-25 only, there will be 2 promotions from General to Intermediate but there will be no demotions from Intermediate. (Unless it is a second season of not entering at least 8 images).

 

Duplicate Images

An image produced as a print and entered into a print competition shall not be used to enter a projected digital image competition (PDI) or vice-versa. Each print or PDI can only be entered once. Images entered in Monthly competitions cannot also be used as a set subject entry (so the same rules apply as regards duplicate images), but “duplicate” images can be used as part of a Triptych entry. If an error is made no action will be taken on the night (we will need to check our records).

1. In the event of a duplicate image for an author being the first error the author will be given a verbal warning only – no action will be taken in respect of scoring.

2. If a second error is made then the author will be given a written warning and the image will be scored as the season average for that author to date or the score on the night, whichever is the lowest. (No advantage is gained but neither is there a serious disadvantage). Depending on the final updated score this may result in a loss of a ‘place’ on the night (see point 4 below)

3. If it is the third or subsequent duplicate image error by that author then the author will be given a second written warning and a score of 0 will be given. This score of 0 must be counted as one of that author’s top 8 images in terms of calculating their season average.

4. If any duplicate image is given a  for a third or subsequent error then, in being given a score of 0, it will lose that place and the next best image(s) will be moved up a place. This may also be the case where a second error means the adjusted score makes a difference to the placings. Where there is a tie for a 4th placed image, one of our camera club accredited judges will be asked to choose which of the tied images is to be moved up to 3rd place.

5. Where an author enters a duplicate image for a third or subsequent time a message will be put out to all members saying –

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A member has agreed/admitted to having entered a duplicate image in an internal competition. As per club rules that image has been scored a 0. Can I ask all members to please be careful not to enter duplicate images.

 

What constitutes a ‘Duplicate Image’?

An image will be deemed as duplicate if it is so similar to a previous image that it is virtually indistinguishable from the original. There must be a visually demonstrable difference between the two, and whilst this is subjective it is requested that authors exercise common sense when submitting an image. If in doubt the Competition Secretary will advise.

 

The identification of what constitutes a ‘duplicate’ image is very challenging and debatable. In deciding whether the rule has been contravened the relevant images may be circulated to our Committee members to adjudicate.

In outlining this rule we suggest that authors consider whether entering two such similar images is really stretching yourselves or developing your skills and portfolio. It may also be the case that if two images are so similar – that we cannot use both to represent us in external competitions, hence possibly denying us other strong images that you could be submitting.

The following is a list of examples of what might be considered ‘duplicate’ images. It is not exhaustive as the list could be endless.

1. An image submitted as a colour image cannot be subsequently submitted as a monochrome, and vice-versa – they will be deemed to be the same image.

2. Photographing a building (for example) and then taking a second one which is from virtually the same place/aspect – even if it is a different day, sky, camera setting, crop, lens… Unless it is a substantially different resulting image.

3. Capturing a model in a studio setting striking a pose with eyes open and then another with eyes closed, or slightly different facial expression.

4. Capturing a bird in flight taken on a ‘burst’ and then a second one from the same burst.

5. Taking a long exposure seascape with a boat on the horizon and then a second one from the same place, but which has no boat on the horizon

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In summing up you might want to ask yourself a question about whether two images might be ‘duplicates’ – “would you enter these two images in the same competition?”. If the answer is no then they are probably too similar.

 

Regular Competitions

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Projected Digital Image (PDI Competition)

The PDI competition is run 5 times per camera club year. Member’s digital images are projected on a screen and are judged by an external judge. There are THREE categories on a PDI competition evening: GENERAL, INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED. You may enter a maximum of TWO images into the category you have been allocated. There is also a SET SUBJECT section, which is open to all categories with a maximum of one image per person. The categories GENERAL, INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCED and SET SUBJECT will be run as a separate competition where marks out of twenty are given to each image and a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place are given to the winners.

 

Your images should be no larger than 1600 pixels wide or 1200 pixels tall (whichever is the greater), they should be in the sRGB colour space and saved as a JPEG. An image produced as a PDI and entered into a PDI competition shall not be used to enter a print competition and vice-verse.

 

Upload your Image files via ONE of (Set Subject is included in both) the PDI Email Forms by midnight on the Sunday before the competition using the file naming format:-

Title_Your Name.jpg e.g. Mountains and Lakes_Joseph Bloggs.jpg

 

Printed and Mounted Images (Print Competition)

The Print comp is also run 5 times per camera club year. Member’s printed and mounted images are presented to the external judge one at a time. Marks out of 20 and critique are given for each image and a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place are given to the winners.

 

There are three sections on a print competition evening: GENERAL, INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED. You may enter a maximum of two images into the section you have been allocated. There is also a Set Subject section, which is open to all categories with a maximum of one image per person.

 

Prints must be mounted, any size mount is acceptable but 40x50cm mounts have the best impact and can be used in other/external competitions. This is also the size required for our annual exhibition where mount size is governed by our frame size. Prints for club competitions must not be framed.

Then bring your Actual Prints to the Print Competition Secretary by 7.30 pm on the night of the competition.

 

The print labels (available from the Print Competition Secretary) should be completed and affixed onto the reverse to the Top Centre of the print. An image produced as a print and entered into a print competition shall not be used to enter a projected image competition or vice-versa.

 

Upload the Image files of your prints via the Print Email Form by midnight on the Sunday before the competition using the file naming format:-

Title_Your Name.jpg e.g. Mountains and Lakes_Joseph Bloggs.jpg

 

Set Subject

The SET SUBJECT section runs as a standalone competition with its own marks and league table. The Set Subject competition is run alongside the Competition League for both Print and PDI competitions. This competition is open to all members in all three Competition League levels and all members compete in one league regardless of their normal competition level.

 

You can enter one image into the set subject which should match the theme published for that competition.

Set Subjects titles are released on January 1st each year for the Competition Year starting in the September of that same year. This gives at least 9 months for authors to capture their images. Indeed all images for Set Subject MUST be captured after the release date. Members must not use their ‘back catalogue’ from before that date (Jan 1st).

There is one exception to this each year. The Debbie Ram Seeker of Light is a Set Subject Title which runs every year alongside the other 5 annually named titles. The Debbie Ram Seeker of Light Award is always our first Set Subject which we run immediately after we return each September. The image for this competition can be captured after September 1st each year for the following September’s competition. This allows authors one full year to capture their image.

 

Marks out of 20 and critique are given for each image and a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place are given to the winners. The set subject competition follows all of the same rules as the standard PDI or Print Competitions.

Each set subject image can only be entered ONCE.

 

Upload your Image files via ONE of (Set Subject is included in both) the Print or PDI Email Forms by midnight on the Sunday before the competition using the file naming format:-

Title_Your Name.jpg e.g. Mountains and Lakes_Joseph Bloggs.jpg