DONCASTER CAMERA CLUB COMPETITION RULES





IMPORTANT NOTICE
By entering any of Doncaster Camera Club’s competitions you are giving permission for the submitted image(s) to be used in any other competition in which Doncaster Camera Club participates.
At all times, the copyright of the image(s) remains with the photographer.
Because of the amount of work involved in organising competitions, these rules will be strictly adhered to.
If you have any doubts or uncertainties please ask a committee member for advice before entering the competition. We are here to help.

Status of Members for Club Competitions
Advanced Members
An Advanced member is one who fulfils any one of the following conditions:

  1. A Beginner who has gained the status of ‘Doncaster Camera Club Beginner of the Year’.
  2. A Beginner who has had an award or had 3 or more entries accepted in any open exhibition (including the Yorkshire Photographic Union.)
  3. A member who holds any recognised photographic distinction (e.g. RPS, PAGB, BPE, PSA etc.) or is professionally engaged in photography.
Beginners’ Members
A Beginner is a member who does not fulfil any of the Advanced criteria above. The Council reserves the right to review individual cases.
Notes
  1. A member’s Status in any other Camera Club, or photographic professional employment, will be taken into account in deciding his/her competition status in the Doncaster Camera Club.
  2. Any Beginner who, in the opinion of the committee, has reached a satisfactory standard in a particular Section can be promoted to the Advanced Section.
  3. All promotions to take effect from 1st September each year.
  4. A Beginner, with the Council’s agreement, may defer their promotion. However, if this option is taken the Beginner must requalify in future competitions to gain the Advanced Classification.

Rules applying to all Doncaster Camera Club Competitions
  1. Entries will only be accepted from fully paid up members.
  2. Entries must be in the possession of the Competition Secretary no later than the date shown in the Programme. Failure to do so may result in the entries not being accepted.
  3. All entries must be the original photographic work of the author, including all elements of a composite image. Prints of the images may be home or commercially printed.
  4. The Committee, whose decision will be final, have the right to reject an entry which in their opinion does not conform to the rules, or if the subject matter is considered unsuitable or inappropriate.
  5. For all DCC Print competitions the quoted Mount sizes are the maximum sizes. Smaller sized mounts may be submitted. However, it should be noted that in some situations a mount size of exactly 40cm X 50cm is required because the prints must fit into frames of that size. Such instances include exhibitions of DCC members’ work and prints entered for the YPU annual exhibition.
  6. Each print that is entered must be accompanied by a digital copy.
  7. PhotoEntry is an on-line application, allowing photographers to submit their digital images from their computers, directly to the Competition Sectretarie's. This will be the only method available for submitting digital images.
  8. PhotoEntry will be used to enter DPIs (Digitally Projected Images) and also the digital copies of prints.
  9. DPIs must be no larger than 1600 pixels wide and 1200 pixels high, with one dimension (width or height) at it’s maximumThe ppi setting of the images is not relevant.

Multiple Use of Images
The same image may not be used in all Doncaster Camera Club competitions. Below is a summary of how images may be used within the various Doncaster Camera Club competitions.
  1. The same image may be submitted in the Rounds Competitions as one colour and one monochrome version. It is not recommended that both versions be submitted in the same Round Competition.
  2. Entries for the Rounds competition must not have been entered into any previous DCC competition.
  3. Entries for the Mobile Phone Image competition must not have been entered into any previous DCC competitions.
  4. Images for the Annual competition may have been used in other Doncaster Camera Club competitions except any previous Doncaster Camera Club Annual competitions. An image may only be entered for one class of the Annual competition.
  5. Only one version of an image (eg Colour or Monochrome) that has been entered into a rounds competition may be submitted into an Annual competition.
  6. Only one of the three images making up a panel for the Panel competition may have been entered in a previous Doncaster Camera Club competition.
  7. A print and a DPI of the same image will not be accepted in the Annual Competition.
Notes for guidance
For the purpose of the Multiple Use of Images Rule, "The same image" includes any very similar images where the difference between them is minimal.
In the case of the Annual Competition, care should be taken to enter your images in the appropriate class. This is especially important when distinguishing between the Nature and Wild Life classes. Any image that does not fully comply with the Nature and/or Wildlife definitions should be entered into the Pictorial section.
For a list of Class Definitions please see the ‘Definitions’ section of our website.
These rules apply to Doncaster Camera Club competitions. Images entered into DCC competitions may also be entered in inter-club  and external competitions and will be subject to the individual competition rules. (e.g. The Settle Trophy or The YPU Exhibition).
If you are in any doubt please ask any committee member for guidance.

DCC Rounds Competition   
Four Rounds Competitions (Round 1, 2, 3 and 4) are held during the Winter Season. They are open only to fully paid up members.

  1. The competitions are divided into six sections which are:


Monochrome PrintsBeginners
Monochrome PintsAdvanced
Colour PrintsBeginners
Colour PrintsAdvanced
DPI'sBeginners
DPI'sAdvanced




  1. The final image files for Prints and DPIs must be the work of the member, including all elements of a composite image. However, the resulting Prints may be home or commercially printed.
  2. The Club adheres to the FIAP definition of colour and monochrome for prints and DPIs. The Club adheres to the YPU ruling on what constitutes a computer-processed print (ie. The entry must originate from a photograph – digital or conventional – and be of the author’s own work.)
  3. For each Round Competition a member may enter up to 2 monochrome prints, 2 colour prints and 2 DPIs (colour and/or monochrome).
  4. Prints may be any size up to a maximum of 50cm x 40cm, including the mount.
  5. DPIs must be no larger than 1600 pixels wide and 1200 pixels high, with one dimension (width or height) at it’s maximumThe ppi setting of the images is not relevant.
  6. The DPI images must be JPEG format and in RGB mode (even for monochrome images), and in the sRGB colour space.
  7. Prints should be titled and must be clearly marked on the back with only the print title, membership number and Member’s Status (eg.Title, Member No., Advanced). Members’ names and addresses or other stickers must not be included. Only the print title may be repeated on the front of the mount.
  8. Entries for the Rounds competition must not have been entered into any previous DCC competition.

Annual Competition        
There are ten classes in the Annual Competition


ClassCodeFormat
PictorialPICPrints & DPI’s
LandscapeLANPrints & DPI’s
PortraitsPORPrints & DPI’s
Sport / PhotojournalismSPJPrints & DPI’s
RecordRECPrints & DPI’s
NatureNATPrints & DPI’s
WildlifeWILPrints & DPI’s
Altered RealityALTPrints & DPI’s
British Garden BirdsBGBDPI’s
Travel PhotographyTRVPrints



  1. All Prints must be mounted. The maximum mount size shall be 50 x 40 cm.
  2. Prints should be titled and must be clearly marked on the back with only the print title, membership number and the Class into which the print is entered from the list above.. (eg.Title, Member No., Pictorial). Members’ names and addresses or other stickers must not be included. Only the print title may be repeated on the front of the mount.
  3. DPIs must be no larger than 1600 pixels wide and 1200 pixels high, with one dimension (width or height) at it’s maximumThe ppi setting of the images is not relevant.
  4. The DPI images must be JPEG format and in RGB mode (even for monochrome images), and in the sRGB colour space
  5. The ‘Print of the Year’ and the ‘DPI of the Year’ will be selected from the whole of the exhibition.
  6. Images for the Annual Competition may have been used in other Doncaster Camera Club Competitions except any previous Doncaster Camera Club Annual Competitions. An image may only be entered for one Class of the Annual Competition.
  7. Up to 10 Prints and 10 DPIs may be entered per member.
  8. In order to assist with the organisation of the Annual Competition each contributing member must complete an Entry Form for both prints and DPIs as appropriate.
  9. The Committee, whose decision will be final, have the right to reject an entry which in their opinion does not conform to the rules, or if the subject matter is considered unsuitable.


Mobile Phone Image Competition (DPIs)
Beginning in the 2020/2021 season we are introducing a new competition soley for images taken on a mobile phone or tablet.

  1. This competition is only for DPIs.
  2. DPIs must be no larger than 1600 pixels wide and 1200 pixels high, with one dimension (width or height) at it’s maximum. Irregular shaped images must fit within these dimensions. The ppi setting of the images is not relevant.
  3. The DPI images must be in JPEG format and in RGB mode (even for monochrome images), and in the sRGB colour space.
  4. Up to two images may be entered by any one member but they should not have been entered into any previous DCC competitions.
  5. EXIF Data (Metedata) must be retained within the JPEG file.
  6. Basic post editing may be used to enhance the image and adjust the image size. E.g. Cropping, Colour correction, Dodging/burning, Curves/Levels and spot removal.
  7. Only the original single image should be presented. Composite images will not be accepted.
  8. Images will be entered by the usual method using Photo Entry and will not be accepted after the closing date for submission.



Panel Competition   (Prints)
This competition is to promote the idea of presenting a set of related or themed prints as a panel.
  1. This competition is only for Prints.
  2. The panel will consist of three prints.
  3. Each print should ‘relate’ to the other two in some way so as to create a cohesive panel.
  4. The subject matter is open.
  5. The three prints may be Colour, Monochrome or a mixture of both
  6. The prints should be mounted but, for this competition, the rules are different to our usual competition rules:
  1. Each of the three prints may be individually mounted, with a maximum mount size of 40cm x 50cm. In this case, an indication of the hanging arrangement should be supplied.
  2. All three prints may be displayed on a single mount. For the Panel Competition only, the maximum mount size is 40cm x 80cm.
  1. The prints / panel should be titled and must be clearly marked on the back with only the title, membership number and ‘Panel Competition’. Members names and addresses or other stickers must not be included. Only the print title(s) may be repeated on the front of the mount.
  1. Each print may have an individual title or a single title for the panel may be used.
  2. If a single panel title is used when the three prints have been mounted individually, each print should be titled in the form: “My Panel Title – 1”, “My Panel Title – 2” and “My Panel Title – 3”.
  1. A maximum of two Panels may be entered in this competition.
  2. For each panel of 3 prints, only one of the three prints may have been entered into a previous Doncaster Camera Club competition.
  3. For the judging of the panels each of the three prints will be assessed for it’s own photographic and technical qualities. Also, the overall integrity of the panel will be taken into account.

DCC Photographer of the Year / DCC Beginner of the Year
The status of ‘DCC Photographer of the Year’ will be awarded to an Advanced member and Beginners will not be eligable for this distinction.
A separate award, soley for Beginners, will be made to the ‘DCC Beginner of the Year. The recipient of this award will be promoted to Advanced member.
The determination of DCC POTY and DCC BOTY will be as follows:
For each member the marks for every piece of work that has been entered into the Rounds and Panel competitions will be totalled.
For the Annual Competition the ‘placed’ entries will be allocated marks as below:


1st Place20 Marks
2nd Place19 Marks
3rd Place18 Marks
Highly Commended17 Marks
Commended16 Marks



For each member the aggregated marks for every piece of work that has been entered into, and gained a ‘place’ in, the Annual Competition will be combined with the total marks from the Rounds and Panel competitions.
The member with the highest score in the Beginners’ class will be awarded the DCC Beginner of the Year.
The member with the highest score in the Advanced class will be awarded the DCC Photographer of the Year.

Inter-club Competitions

The Settle Trophy Between Doncaster, Howden, Selby and Wakefield.
This is currently the only annual inter-club competition for which a trophy is awarded to the club with the best aggregate score from a selection of prints and DPIs. Any member may submit images for this competition to the competition secretary. The final selection may be made by panel of Club members.

Yorkshire Photographic Union

The YPU holds an annual exhibition which is open to all photographers who are members of the YPU. (If you are a member of DCC you are affiliated to the YPU). Entries are from individual members and are made through our club’s YPU representative.

  1. Entries may be in the form of DPI’s or Prints.
  2. An entrance fee (per print/DPI) is charged by the YPU and is payable by the entrant.
  3. DPIs must be no larger than1600 pixels wide and 1200 pixels high, with one dimension (width or height) at it’s maximum
  4. The DPI images must be JPEG format and in RGB mode (even for monochrome images), and in the sRGB colour space.
  5. Prints must be mounted. Whilst the print size may be any size to a maximum of 50cm x 40cm (Flush Mounted) the  mount size must be exactly 50cm x 40cm. to accommodate the framing of selected prints for exhibition.


Disclaimer
Doncaster Camera Club reserves the right to withdraw any images, from the above competitions, that it feels are inappropriate, unacceptable or in breach of the above rules.
Revised 14th April 2021

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Doncaster Camera Club
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