Levels of Competition: Throughout the year the Club conducts a variety of competitions which are open to all members. Beginning and intermediate shooters compete in Group AA, and advanced shooters in Group A.

Image Eligibility: Images that have been awarded a place (Honorable Mention through First Place) in any PTCC competition are not eligible for submission in any subsequent competition.

Number of images submitted: Members in good standing may submit a total of four (4) images for each projected image competition, and up to four (4) prints per category for each scheduled print competition.

The Calendar page of this site lists the submission and return dates for each. Points are awarded for winning images as the competition progresses with overall awards being presented at year end. Winning entries from each competition are eligible for Image-of-the-Year judging in the Nature and Pictorial categories.

Our goal is better photography. Our competitions are a proven tool.The comments of the judges, while we may not always agree with them completely, do provide valuable insights that help us create images that are personally satisfying and critically acclaimed.

Competition Categories

Pictorial: This category is often referred to as "Color" also. There is no differentiation between the two terms. Pictorial photography is the use of the photographic medium as an art form. The emphasis is on interest, visual impact, composition, and technical excellence. Images in the Pictorial Division may, in some instances have a particular subject. Most are not confined to any particular subject, type, or style of photography. Pictorial images may be manipulated in the darkroom, on the computer or in the camera.

Creative: Creative photography is producing an image through the use of imaginative skill or originality of thought including the altering of reality. No image should be eliminated from competition simply because it looks realistic, provided it shows originality of concept. Creative images may include modifications in the darkroom, on the computer, or in the camera, as well as unusual points of view, imaginative use of subject matter or lighting, or any other presentation that begins with the maker’s photograph or a collection of photographs.

Nature: The Nature Photography Division is restricted to the use of the photographic process to depict observations from 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 matter and certify as to its honest presentation. The story-telling value of a photograph must be weighed more than the pictorial quality. Human elements shall not be present except when the element represents an adopted habitat or on the rare occasion where those human elements enhance the nature story. The presence of scientific bands on wild animals is acceptable. Photographs of artificially produced hybrid plants or animals (any plant or animal that has its appearance changed by breeding and selection by man), mounted specimens, or obviously set arrangements, are ineligible, as is any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement.

Manipulation: No manipulation or modification of Nature images is permitted except resizing, cropping, selective lightening or darkening, and restoration of original color of the scene. No special effect filters can be applied. Any sharpening must appear natural. No elements may be moved, cloned, added, deleted, rearranged or combined. Horizontal flipping (equivalent to reversing the image) is an acceptable modification.

Padre Trails Camera Club follows the Photographic Society of America, PSA, definition of "Nature." Images submitted in the Nature category are judged by their technical merit and how well they adhere to the PSA guidelines. The complete PSA definition of "Nature" in this context is as follows (Quoted from the 2007 PSA International Exhibition of Photographic Information and Instructions for Nature.):

Photo-Journalism: Photo-Journalism entries shall consist of pictures with informative content and emotional impact, including human interest, documentary and spot news. Sequences of not more than four (4) images are permitted in the Journalism category. The journalistic value of the photograph shall be considered over pictorial quality. In the interest of credibility, photographs which misrepresent the truth, such as manipulation of the image, or situations which are set up for the purpose of photography, are unacceptable in Journalism competition. The primary concern is to make story-telling and/or newsworthy photographs. Good titles are important and should add to the photo-story. No manipulation or modification of Journalism images is permitted except resizing, cropping, selective lightening or darkening, and restoration of original color of the scene. No special effect filters can be applied. Any sharpening must appear natural. No elements may be moved, cloned, added, deleted, rearranged or combined.

Travel: A Travel picture must express the feeling of a time and place, portray a land, its people or a culture in its natural state, and has no geographic limitations. Ultra close-ups which lose their identity, studio-type model shots, or photographic manipulations which misrepresent the true situation or alter the content of the image are unacceptable in Travel competition. No manipulation or modification is permitted except resizing, cropping, selective lightening or darkening, and restoration of original color of the scene. No special effect filters can be applied. Any sharpening must appear natural. No elements may be moved, cloned, added, deleted, rearranged or combined. The title should give the location and complement the travel story.

Specials

Image of the Year: At year-end, a final competition is conducted to award the image of the Year. With the exception of 23 and Me! (see below), winning entries from the various competitions throughout the year are eligible for entry.

23 and Me! Once a year, members may participate in an exciting, and often maddening, challenge known as "23 and Me!" As the name implies, each participating member makes 23 specific subject film exposures and one self portrait. The kicker is that the pictures are submitted on a single undeveloped roll of film. No picking or choosing here--what you take is what you turn in. Always fun to see what happens without the instant feedback we're all so used to in the digital world. Makes you think before hitting the shutter, that's for sure!

This event pays tribute to past president of Padre Trails, the late Aurthor Haller. Mr. Haller initiated the blind-capture event we call 23andMe! in 1978. While no longer a judged event, the discipline required to make a technically excellent color slide helps keep our photographic skills sharp.

Field Trips: At least once a year, the club takes a photographic field trip. Though working independently, each participating member works from a common list of subjects. Unlike 23 & Me!, however, members may make as many exposures as they choose for each subject. One image per category is submitted for judging. Past field trips have included Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf, the charming San Juan Bautista area and the Moss Landing waterfront, Carmel by the Sea, Pacific Grove, and beautiful Capitola.

How Images are Judged: Based on the recommendation of our competition committee which have been approved by the membership, each member may submit up to four (4) images or four (4) digital images for each competition judging. The images are sent to an independent judge, usually a PSA member, for judging. The top three, plus at least one honorable mention, are awarded. The images are returned to the Club along with the judge's written or recorded comments. Win or lose, the process provides an invaluable learning experience for future competitions and helps everyone create more satisfying and enjoyable images.

POINTS Competition points are awarded based on the number of images entered by the total club in Group Competition. Entries winning points may not be entered again. Individuals winning points are eligible for Image of the Year Competition.