The following definitions apply to 2021-2022 competitions.

Open

In open competitions, free rein is given to the choices the photographer makes in the creation of the submitted image. Images of any and all subjects or themes, created using any photographic or post-processing methods or techniques, are acceptable. The images are evaluated based upon the judge’s general assessment of their creativity, emotional and/or intellectual impact, aesthetic beauty, uniqueness of subject, and technical skill. The judge need not assign any specific weight to any single attribute of the image.

Nature Photography

Acceptable entries are photographs that portray various aspects of natural plant and animal life; that illustrate the natural features of land, sea, and sky; or that reveal natural phenomena.  No image in this competition may show human intervention. Domestic plants (e.g., in a botanical garden) or animals (including zoo animals) may be included as long as they do not show any human intervention (e.g., collars or ear tags, gates, walls, paths, signage).

High-Key or Low-Key Photography

High-Key or Low-Key Photography encompasses images that have been exposed or manipulated post-processing, so that the key tones are lighter than the mid-tone ideal, (meaning that shadows are brighter and more open, usually conveying to the image a light airy feel) (high-key); or, conversely, so that the key tones are darker than the mid-tone ideal (meaning the highlights are dimmer, the shadows dense and the overall image looking darker and more brooding) (low-key).

Patterns or Geometric Forms Photography

Patterns or Geometric Forms Photography encompasses images that contain distinctive patterns (e.g., repetitions, reflections, numeric sequences, prisms) or geometric forms (e.g., circles, squares, triangles) within the image.

Strong Emotions Photography

Strong Emotions Photography encompasses images whose subject(s) display through expressions, movements or reactions strong emotions such as happiness, joy, sadness, anguish, surprise, chagrin, etc.

Monochrome Photography

The term “Monochrome Photography” contemplates images that use only a single color, including the full array of shades of that color. So, for example, black and white photos, with black as the single color and its multiple shades of gray, are monochrome. Other single colors and their shades are equally acceptable. Under this definition, a sepia tone photo is acceptable, but a sepia tone photo containing a red umbrella would not qualify as a monochrome. Any subject matter is acceptable. In addition, a photo is acceptable if was originally taken as a color image, as long as the image presented for the competition has been rendered into monochrome.