HIGHCLIFFE & INFINITY PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB
Competition Rules - 2026-27
1. GENERAL CONDITIONS
Only fully paid-up members of Highcliffe & Infinity Photography Club (H&IPC) may participate in Club competitions.
Each photographic image may be entered in only one internal Club competition during the season, plus the Best of Year competition. Images entered in a Club competition in a previous season may not be re-entered.
Members agree that their images may be displayed on the Club website, entered in inter-club competitions and selected to represent the Club in external competitions. Copyright remains with the photographer.
Members who belong to more than one photographic club must ensure that an image selected to represent H&IPC is not also used by another club in the same SCPF League or inter-Federation competition.
Members may request that an entry is critiqued without being scored by informing the Internal Competition Secretary when submitting the image.
2. IMAGE OWNERSHIP, EDITING AND AI
All photographic elements within an entered image must originate from photographs taken by the entrant.
Editing tools, including AI-assisted tools, may be used to adjust or enhance the photographer's own image.
AI or other software must not be used to generate or introduce pictorial elements that did not originate from photographs taken by the entrant. Stock imagery or other visual material not photographed by the entrant is also prohibited.
The Committee may request an original image file where clarification is required.
By entering a Club competition, members confirm that their image complies with these requirements.
Unless specifically stated otherwise within an individual competition, these editing rules apply to all Club competitions.
3. ENTRIES AND SUBMISSION
Members may enter a maximum of three images per competition evening.
Where two competitions take place on the same evening, the maximum remains three images in total, divided between the competitions in any combination.
All entries must be submitted through PhotoEntry by midnight on the Friday preceding the competition.
Entries should be placed in order of preference in PhotoEntry. If entry numbers need to be reduced, the member's lowest-priority entry will be removed first.
Prints must be handed in by 7.20 pm on the competition evening. The Internal Competition Secretary may refuse late entries.
4. PRESENTATION
4.1 Prints
Prints must be mounted on board or card with a maximum mount size of 500 x 400 mm. The entry number, title and photographer's name must be clearly marked on the reverse, with the entry number positioned at the top left. A digital copy of each Print entry must also be submitted through PhotoEntry.
4.2 Projected Digital Images
Images must be submitted as JPEG files in the sRGB colour space and fit within maximum dimensions of 1600 pixels wide x 1200 pixels high.
5. COLOUR AND MONOCHROME
Except for the Monochrome competition, entries may be colour or monochrome unless a competition specifically states otherwise.
6. JUDGING AND SCORING
Competitions will be independently judged wherever possible. Prints and Projected Digital Images will be judged separately.
Images will be scored from 6 to 10, including half marks.
Scores represent the judge's assessment of the images presented in that competition rather than an absolute measure of photographic quality.
Judges are encouraged to make appropriate use of the available scoring range.
Set Subject competitions will recognise a winner, second place and third place.
7. LEAGUE COMPETITIONS
7.1 PDI League
The final PDI League result will be calculated from each member's best 15 scores from eligible PDI competitions during the season.
7.2 Print League
The final Print League result will be calculated from each member's best 12 scores from eligible Print competitions during the season.
8. COMPETITION DEFINITIONS
8.1 Open
There is no prescribed subject. Entries may cover any photographic genre and must comply with the general competition rules.
8.2 Landscape
Landscape photography may include natural landscapes, seascapes, urban or industrial landscapes and other interpretations of the wider environment. People or animals may be included where they contribute to the scene but should not become its dominant subject.
8.3 Set Subject - Reflections 2026-27
A reflection must form a significant and clearly recognisable element of the image and contribute meaningfully to its composition, subject or visual impact. Reflections may occur naturally or through reflective surfaces such as water, glass, mirrors, polished metal or other materials. The reflection may depict a recognisable subject, be abstract in nature, or itself form the principal subject of the photograph. A reflective surface may be included within the image, but where any reflection is merely incidental and makes no meaningful contribution to the photograph, the image will not meet the Set Subject.
8.4 Set Subject - General Conditions
The Set Subject is chosen by Club members at the Annual General Meeting. Images must have been photographed since the subject was set at the previous AGM. Images entered in the Set Subject competition may not subsequently be entered in another League competition but remain eligible for Best of Year.
8.5 Flora
The principal subject must be plant life or fungi. Subjects may be photographed in their natural environment or arranged by the photographer, including tabletop and studio photography.
8.6 Wildlife
The principal subject must be wild fauna normally found living independently within a natural environment. Domesticated or managed animals are not eligible. Captive wildlife may be entered provided there is no visible evidence within the photograph of confinement, handling or human presence. Permitted editing is limited to cropping, exposure adjustment, contrast and colour balance, sharpening, noise reduction, monochrome conversion and removal of minor distractions. Adjustments must preserve the integrity of the subject and its environment. The specific Wildlife editing requirements take precedence over the general editing provisions in Section 2.
8.7 Monochrome
A monochrome image consists of varying tones of a single hue. This includes black-and-white images and images toned entirely in one colour, such as sepia. Images containing more than one hue, including selective colour, colour popping, split toning or duotoning, are considered colour images and are not eligible for the Monochrome competition.
8.8 Portrait
A portrait is a photograph in which a person or people form the principal subject. The image may communicate something of the subject through expression, character, gesture, posture, appearance or their relationship with the surrounding environment. Portraits may include head-and-shoulders studies, full-length portraits, group portraits and environmental portraits. The person or people must remain the principal focus of the photograph.
9. BEST OF YEAR
Best of Year will consist of separate Print and Projected Digital Image categories.
Members may enter up to three images in each category.
To be eligible, an image must have been formally entered in an Internal Club Competition during the current season. Images shown only at Members' Nights, presentations, workshops or other non-competition Club events are not eligible.
An image entered for critique only, without a score, remains eligible for Best of Year provided it was formally entered in an Internal Club Competition.
Eligible images must be presented exactly as they appeared in the original competition and may not be altered.
An image originally entered in a Set Subject competition may be retitled where appropriate.
10. CHAIRMAN'S CUP
The Chairman's Cup will be awarded at the Chairman's discretion to the member considered to have demonstrated the greatest improvement during the season.
Competition results may contribute to that assessment alongside the member's development, enthusiasm, effort and progression.
11. INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES
These rules are intended to provide clear and fair competition while allowing reasonable photographic interpretation.
Where circumstances arise that are not specifically covered, the Committee will determine eligibility in accordance with the spirit and intent of these rules.