Statement on Subject Matter, PSA competitions

August 2022 – Sharon Bradshaw

TMCC will be submitting club entries for two new divisions: Nature/Wildlife (color and monochrome), in addition to the projected image division.

The fundamental rule that must be observed at all times and applies to all sections offered in exhibitions with PSA recognition is that the welfare of living creatures is more important than any photograph. This means that practices such as baiting of subjects with a living creature and removal of birds from nests, for the purpose of obtaining a photograph, are highly unethical, and such photographs are not allowed in any exhibition with PSA recognition. Under no circumstances may a living creature be placed in a situation where it will be killed, injured or stressed for the purpose of obtaining a photograph. This rule applies regardless of whether or not the creature being killed, injured or stressed is visible in the captured image.

There are also concerns about the use of aerial photography, drones, helicopters, low flying aircraft. These should not cause any interference with other individuals or animals which causes a disturbance in their normal activity or disrupt the way any individuals or animals interact with their environment. Entrants in PSA recognized exhibitions must comply with all relevant laws and regulations, associated with aerial photography, in the country in which the image was taken.

Entry into PSA recognized exhibitions is conditional on accepting these policies. The content of images must comply with the General Conditions and with the Division and Section definitions listed in these conditions. Images that – in the sole opinion of the judges or the Exhibition Organizers – do not comply, will be disqualified so the entrant may be aware of the problem when considering entry into other exhibitions with PSA recognition.

Projected Image Division (PID)

The subject matter is unrestricted for PID images in separate color or monochrome classes. 

Nature Division

Joint PSA and FIAP definition

  • Nature photography records all branches of natural history except anthropology and archaeology. This includes all aspects of the physical world, both animate and inanimate, that have not been made or modified by humans.
  • Nature images must convey the truth of the scene that was photographed. A well-informed person should be able to identify the subject of the image and be satisfied that it has been presented honestly and that no unethical practices have been used to control the subject or capture the image. Images that directly or indirectly show any human activity that threatens the life or welfare of a living organism are not allowed.
  • The most important part of a Nature image is the nature story it tells. High technical standards are expected and the image must look natural. Adding a vignette or blurring the background during processing is not allowed.
  • Objects created by humans, and evidence of human activity, are allowed in Nature images only when they are a necessary part of the Nature story.
  • Photographs of human-created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domesticated animals, human-created hybrid animals and mounted or preserved zoological specimens are not allowed.
  • Images taken with subjects under controlled conditions, such as zoos, are allowed.
  • Controlling live subjects by chilling, anesthetic or any other method of restricting natural movement for the purpose of a photograph is not allowed.
  • No modification that changes the truth of a Nature image is allowed. Images may be cropped but no other technique that removes, adds or moves any part of the image is allowed.
  • Techniques that remove elements added by the camera, such as dust spots, digital noise and lens flare are allowed.
  • Complete conversion of color images to greyscale monochrome is allowed. Partial conversion, toning and infrared captures or conversions are not allowed.
  • Images of the same subject that are combined in-camera or with software by focus stacking or exposure blending are allowed. Multiple images with overlapping fields of view that are taken consecutively and combined in-camera or with software (image stitching) are allowed.

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
In addition to the restrictions on Nature photography, to be eligible for any Wildlife award images must meet the following conditions:


(a) Zoological organisms must be living free and unrestrained in a natural or adopted habitat of their own choosing.
(b) Images of zoological organisms that have been removed from their natural habitat, are in any form of captivity or are being controlled by humans for the purpose of photography are not allowed.
(c) Botanical organisms may not be removed from their natural environment for the purpose of photography.
(d) Images that have been staged for the purpose of photography are not allowed.

Each club member can submit 3 photographs in each round for judging: PID, Wildlife (color) and Nature/Wildlife (monochrome).

Image Entries • TMCC club submission Images entry deadlines: 

o Round One Entries Due: November 1, 2022 Midnight MST

o Round Two Entries Due: February 1, 2023 Midnight MST

o Round Three Entries Due: April 1, 2023 Midnight MST

Submit through email with attached photo to either: aussiehike@aol.com and/or

Contests tmcccontests@gmail.comABSOLUTELY NO NAMES/ID ON ANY PHOTO SUBMITTED.  

PSA SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

• Image Size: Horizontal images can be no more than 1400 pixels wide or 1050 pixels tall. Vertical images can be no more than 1050 pixels tall. 

• There is no specific resolution requirement. 

• Save the file in jpg format only. Unless your image proportions are in the exact ratio of 4 to 3, one of these dimensions will be less than the maximum. 

• sRGB color space is recommended for optimum results. 

• Each Image needs a specific title that is descriptive or related in some way to the image. 

• An exact copy of a Color image processed as a Monochrome image must have the same title. 

• There is no filename or title format. The system rewrites the filename for the scoresheet used. 

• The site will accept titles up to 36 characters in length.

• Entries: A club can enter 6 images by 6 different makers in each division. 

TMCC Club Submissions:

Each PAID member may submit two images.  

One that meets the criteria for the Nature category and one for the Projected Image Division.

You are not required to submit two images. 

When submitting two submissions please make sure you indicate which entry is for the Nature Division and which is for the PID Division, it may not always be evident for wildlife/nature photos!

Please include a title for each image not just an image number, (otherwise Sharon has to invent one for you and she isn’t always that creative).