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There are several well defined categories for images which may be used in competitions. The guidelines used by the Dunedin Photographic Society for each category are those used by the Photographic Society of New Zealand. These are available via the following link: https://photography.org.nz/about/constitution-bylaws-financials/definitions/ Among these are:

Open

Any subject matter and any treatment is acceptable although the degree of alteration accepted will be at the discretion of the judge.

Nature

Nature photography is restricted to the use of the photographic process to depict all branches of natural history, except anthropology and archeology, in such a fashion that a well-informed person will be able to identify the subject material and certify its honest presentation.

The story telling value of a photograph must be weighed more than the pictorial quality while maintaining high technical quality. Human elements shall not be present, except where those human elements are integral parts of the nature story such as nature subjects – such as barn owls or storks – adapted to an environment modified by humans, or where those human elements are in situations depicting natural forces, such as hurricanes or tidal waves. Scientific bands, scientific tags or radio collars on wild animals are allowed.

Photographs of human created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domestic animals, or mounted specimens are NOT eligible, as is any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement. No techniques that add, relocate, replace, or remove pictorial elements except by cropping are allowed.

Techniques that enhance the presentation of the photograph without changing the nature story or the pictorial content, or without altering the content of the original scene, are allowed, including HDR, focus stacking and dodging/burning. Techniques that remove elements added by the camera, such as dust spots, digital noise and film scratches, are allowed. Stitched images are not allowed. All allowed adjustments must appear natural. Colour images can be converted to grey-scale monochrome. Infrared images, either direct-captures or derivations, are NOT allowed.

Images entered in Nature sections meeting the Nature Photography Definition above may have landscapes, geologic formations, weather phenomena and extant organisms as the primary subject matter. This includes images taken with the subjects in controlled conditions, such as zoos, game farms, botanical gardens, aquariums and any enclosure where the subjects are totally dependent on man for food.

Only scientific names, common names or descriptive titles shall be used.

Photojournalism

Photojournalism is included as an award in each Open Section. The Photographic Society of New Zealand defines this as storytelling images such as seen in the news media and periodicals. They may include contemporary life, human interest, documentary, illustrative, spot news, sport, etc.

The storytelling value of the image shall receive priority over pictorial quality. In the interest of credibility, photojournalism images must not misrepresent the truth. No situations shall be set up for the purpose of photography.

Any manipulation or modification of the original image must not alter the content of the original scene and elements of the story may not be introduced, removed, shifted or changed in any way including HDR toning or use of image enhancement software, but corrections to exposure and the removal of spots is acceptable.

Cropping is acceptable only if this does not affect the truth of the story. Colour images can be converted to greyscale monochrome. Infrared images, either direct-captures or derivations, are not allowed.

Marine

For the Como Marine Award (projected and print) the subject must be related to shipping such as commercial ships, wharves, lighthouses and tugboats. It is not about the recreational use of the sea such as people swimming, recreational fishing or windsurfing.

Portrait

A photograph of a person or persons that may range from a head study to full body length. This section includes candid photographs and formal portraits.

Street photography images are permitted within the scope of this competition and no ‘model release’ is required, provided that the image was taken in a public place, displays an un-manipulated scene and is not deemed as a violation of an individual’s privacy.

However, a ‘model release’ is required when you are using controlled lighting conditions, backdrops and poses – in a public or private setting. If you are photographing children under the age of 18 years, it would be advisable to obtain a ‘model release’ signed by the appropriate parent or guardian.

All in-camera, on-camera and post-processing techniques can be used. This includes combining multiple images and elements in a final image. However, all components of the final image must have been taken by the entrant.