Competition Format

This competition has two sections, one for prints (monochrome or colour) and one for projected digital images.

The Natural History Print Trophy

This Trophy is awarded for the best print, monochrome or colour, in the print section of the Natural History Competition.

This competition was inaugurated in the 2009-10 season.

Rules

1        Members may submit the number of images, monochrome or colour, as published by the committee for this competition. Images should be prioritised such that if there are more entries than the judge can be expected to judge then a limit will be implemented.

2        All entries must conform to the TPS Natural History guidelines as published here. 

3        Each print may not be smaller than 25 square inches.

4        Prints may be commercially produced.

5        The copyright must be held by the author.

6        An independent judge will be invited to select the best print.

7        A colour or monochrome print winning this competition, may not be entered again in any Tandridge Photographic Society internal competition, in any format (mono print, colour print or PDI), with the exception of the Panel Competition, and the ‘Best Print’ trophies awarded by member votes.

8        The Trophy will be presented to the winner at the Annual Prize Giving, to hold for one year.

The Natural History PDI Trophy

This Trophy is awarded for the best image in the projected digital image section of the Natural History Competition.

This competition was inaugurated in the 2009-10 season.

Rules

1        Members may submit the number of images as published by the committee for this competition. Images should be prioritised such that if there are more entries than the judge can be expected to judge then a limit will be implemented.

2 All entries must conform to the TPS Natural History guidelines as published here. 

3        All images submitted to be produced to the size and format guidelines as published separately by the Society.

4        The copyright must be held by the author.

5        An independent judge will be invited to select the best digital image. The Trophy will be awarded to the member judged to have produced the best digital image.

6        A PDI winning this competition may not be entered again in any Tandridge Photographic Society internal competition, in any format (mono print, colour print or PDI), with the exception of the Panel Competition, and the ‘Best Print’ trophies awarded by member votes.

7        The Trophy will be presented to the winner at the Annual Prize Giving, to hold for one year.

Further Guidance on Natural History Competition Entries

Definitions

A natural history photograph is one that depicts living, untamed animals, uncultivated plants or others as in the definition below, in a habitat chosen by them.  Geology and the wide diversity of natural phenomena, from insects to icebergs are allowed. 

Photographs of animals that are domesticated, caged, or under any form of organised restraint, as well as photographs of cultivated plants, are not eligible. Examples of organised restraint would be Zoos and Wildlife Parks/Centres where animals are controlled, regularly fed and cared for. However, Nature Reserves, Deer Parks or Country Estates in which the animals could be fenced in but are otherwise self- sufficient are eligible.

Marine subjects and botanical subjects (including fungi and algae) taken in the wild are suitable subjects

Evidence of humans is acceptable for nature subjects which are adapted naturally to a human environment, e.g. barn owls, storks, urban foxes etc.

Image titles

Images should be titled using only the common English name, and location, of the species shown, with as much precision and accuracy that the entrant can provide (e.g. "bird" will not do, "Woodpecker" is too vague - "Great Spotted Woodpecker" would be correct.) (Latin scientific names are discouraged). Fun, jokey or punning titles (e.g. "Three's a crowd") are not acceptable. With geological features, entrants are required to describe the location and geological relevance of the subject. Titles that do not comply with the above are actively discouraged, and may incur a penalty, at the discretion of the judge. However, if the entrant puts an incorrect title on his/her entry, the judge may choose to correct it without penalty.

Rules

1        The original image must have been taken by the photographer.

2        Any digital manipulation or modification to the original image must be limited to minor retouching, and must not alter the content of the original scene. Cropping, sharpening, colour and tonal optimisation are allowed. Minor cloning and spot removal is allowed. Nothing must be added. Colour images can be converted to greyscale monochrome. Infra-red images, either direct captures or derivations, are not allowed.

3        The final image must have been produced from a single image, and must not be a combination of separate images, excepting focus-stacked or stitched images, which are allowed provided they maintain the reality of the subject.

The club relies on the integrity of entrants to keep within the spirit of the competition as above. Photographs that clearly do not conform to these rules may be removed from the competition by the official organising the event.