Photographic Definitions
For the purpose of the KCPA rules a photograph is an image formed by the action of light falling on a sensitive medium to form an image.The term monochrome and colour have the following meanings:
Monochrome Photograph – including all black and white photographs and those that have been modified by the addition of a single tone to the entire image.
Images entered in a KCPA competition must conform to the PAGB definition:
“A monochrome entry is a black and white work going from a very dark grey (black) to a very clear grey (white) and containing only various shades of grey. A black and white work toned entirely in a single colour will remain a monochrome work. A black and white work modified by a partial toning or addition of a single colour becomes a colour work (polychrome).”
Colour Photograph – All other photographs are defined as colour photographs. For example, a black and white photograph which has been modified by the addition of partial toning, or the addition of one colour to any part of the photograph, is a colour photograph.
Pictorial
Pictorial plays down the identity of the subject and stresses the artistic input of the photographer by way of atmosphere, mood, pattern or viewpoint. This category includes landscapes and seascapes together with images not falling into one of the other categories.
Portrait
A portrait photograph is the capture by the means of photography of the likeness of a living person or creature or a small group of people or creatures (a group portrait), in which the face and expression is predominant. The objective is to display the likeness, personality or the mood of the subject. Like other types of portraiture, the focus of the photograph is the person’s or creature’s face, although the entire body and the background may be included (environmental portrait). A portrait is generally not a snapshot, but a composed image of a personal or creature.
Landscape
A landscape is the capture by means of photography of a pictorial study of a scene (water/seascapes/cityscapes and skyscrapes are acceptable). A landscape being a wide view or vista of a scene.
Record
A record photograph is an accurate a representation as possible of an inanimate object or set of objects. This includes building interiors, exteriors and architectural details.
Street
Street photography, also sometimes called candid photography, is photography conducted for art or enquiry that features unmediated chance encounters and random incidents within public places.
Reportage
Reportage is the photographic art of blending documentary and first hand observations, with personal experience, perception and anecdotal evidence, in non-fiction form.
Nature
Natural history is defined as flora, fauna, geology (including rocks and pebble studies etc.), natural phenomena and astro photography (stars, planets etc.). Plants may be cultivated or wild. Fauna can include animals in capitivity (and pets). Photographs should enable a well-informed person to identify the subject material and to certify that it is an honest representation. Mounted specimens are ineligible.
Clubs should be aware that whilst the KCPA has a broad brush approach to nature photography, the PAGB has a strict interpretation.
The following stricter definition of “Nature” has to be adhered to for images submitted to the Kent County Photographic Association.
“Nature photography depicts living, untamed animals and uncultivated plants in a natural habitat, geology and the wide diversity of natural phenomena, from insects to iceberg. Photographs of animals, which are domesticated, caged or under any form of restraint, as well as photographs of cultivated plants are ineligible. Minimal evidence of humans is acceptable for nature subjects such as barn owls or storks, adapting to an environment modified by humans, or natural forces, like hurricanes or tidal waves, reclaiming it. The photographer, whatever photographic medium is used, must have taken the original. Any manipulation or modification to the original image is limited to minor re-touching of blemishes and must not alter the content of the original scene. After satisfying the above requirements, every effort should be made to use the highest level of artistic skill in all nature.”
Digitally Projected Images
The software we are using to present the images has its own set of rules as follows:
- Images may be submitted on a memory stick, memory card, CD, or by email to the DPI Competition Secretary.
- No image must exceed a maximum size of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
- A landscape format image must be no more than 1920 pixels on the horizontal side.
- A portrait format image must be no more than 1080 pixels on its vertical side.
- The image must be saved as a jpg file and the colour profile must be sRGB.
- The title should appear in CAPITALS followed with the word “by” in lower case, followed by the photographer’s name in lower case with an initial capital letter. i.e.:
THE SKY AT NIGHT by Patrick Moore.jpg
Prints
Prints must be mounted in card, preferably with a card backing for protection. The card size should be a maximum of 50cm x 40cm which is the only size permitted for Battles and KCPA competitions. Smaller sizes for club competition will be accepted. The title and entrant’s name must be printed on the back of the image. The club’s name should also be included in case the print is used in a Battle.