The club holds competitions and discussion nights (see the Club Calendar for specific dates). At a competition, judges evaluate images and assign them to one of four categories (Needs Work, Competent, Good, Exceptional).  On discussion night, a facilitator moderates a discussion of each submitted image. There is no judging on discussion night.

Competition Guidance Document

Competition Committee Chair Greg Roscoe has written a comprehensive document about the club's print and projected image competitions for club members and judges. Click here for the PDF: Guidance for Club Members and Judges - PCC Projected Image and Print Competitions.

Competition Evaluations

The judges' rubric for evaluation is the "three legs of the stool": Impact, Interest, and Technical Competence.

• Impact  Does the image grab your attention? Subject matter, drama, color, uniqueness, etc.
• Interest  Does the image hold your attention or was it just a quick sugar high?
• Technical Competence  Was the image well captured? Composition, tonality, color treatment, geometry, exposure, use of focus, etc. Was the image well processed or printed? Judges will attempt to provide constructive feedback on ways the image could be improved.

Judges will assign each image to one of four categories:

• Needs Work  There are significant deficiencies in the vision for the image (why did the maker take and present this image?), its impact an/or technical aspects of capturing or presenting the image. Basically, in its current form, the "needs work" image just doesn't really work. (Note: all images could fall under the premise "needs work". Here, the message is that the image needs work to be "Competent").
• Competent  The viewer can see and appreciate why the Maker captured the image. It basically works with regards subject matter, capture, processing etc. However, it doesn't have enough impact or interest to really engage the viewer. A well executed "snap shot" comes to mind or an image that has "Good" potential but fell short in execution is some way. Conversely you could have an impactful or interesting image that has technical or processing deficiencies.
• Good  The image has checked all the boxes for competency but has some additional elements that elevate the image's impact, interest or uniqueness. The viewer is engaged with and appreciative of the image. It was well handled technically.
• Excellent  The best way to describe this category is that it represents the images that float to the top. They have the highest level of impact and interest and they are processed in a highly competent fashion. You know them when you see them.

Projected Image Competitions and How To Submit

Submitted images are shown to the judges in random order. When judges view and evaluate images, the name of the photographer is hidden from the judge.

Preparing a JPG file for PI Competition

Members may submit one image in a Projected Image Competition.

• Maximum image dimensions are 1920 pixels (width) and 1080 pixels (height). The image's PPI can be set to any value.
• Click here for details about new rules regarding AI-generated content.
• Images may be in color or black and white. Image color space should be sRGB.
• Images with a vertical (portrait) orientation may be entered. A vertical image will have a smaller width (for example, 720 px wide by 1080 px high). The projector will automatically center the image.
• The image may have a single white stroke or no stroke around the image. Digital matting is not allowed.
• Watermarks are not allowed.
• The image must be saved as a JPG file (.jpg or .jpeg).
• Image files must be named in the following format:
  name-title-of-the-image.jpg
   
  For example, a member named Kim Hughes submits an image titled "Portrait of Jamie." Kim names her file:
  Kim-Hughes-Portrait-of-Jamie.jpg

When you're ready to submit your image, send your image file by email to pccupload@gmail.com (every entry receives a confirmation within 72 hrs).

Note: There is a handy guide for uploading your images for competitions, slideshows, critiques, and any other projected image event. The guide includes specific instructions for Lightroom Classic, Photoshop, Topaz Studio 2, ON1, PaintShop Pro, and Photos and Preview for macOS. Click here to call up the image uploading guide (a PDF).

Projected Image Discussions and How To Submit

On PI discussion night, submitted images will be shown and discussed. A facilitator/moderator guides the group discussion with the goal of exploring each image in a positive, constructive, respectful manner in a non-competitive environment. Images are not be "judged" or scored.

Entries must be submitted online in advance of the meeting. The steps for submitting an image for discussion night are the same as for competition night: see Preparing a JPG File for PI Competition above.

Print Competitions and How To Submit

Prints can be from any source: a digital camera, film negatives, slides, or a scanner. Image taking, processing and editing must be done by the photographer. Prints can be printed by the photographer (e.g., using an inkjet printer) or a commercial lab.

Preparing a Print for Print Competition

Competition Deadlines: Print submissions are brought to the in-person meeting prior to the competition. Bring your print by 6:45pm so it can be logged in for the competition. Submissions are not accepted on the night of the competition.

• On the back of your print, write your name and the title of the image. Also, include an arrow pointing straight up to indicate the top of the image (for proper orientation).
• Names must not appear on the front of a print.
• Prints can be of any size up to a maximum of 18" x 24". There is no minimum size.
• Prints can be mounted onto a backing board (e.g., foamcore, gatorboard) or can be submitted without mounting. Unmounted prints will be displayed using magnets in the viewing station.
• The image may have a single black stroke or no stroke around the image.
• Frames, glass and mats are not permitted, nor are metal prints.

Print Discussions and How To Submit

On print discussion night, submitted images are displayed in the light box for the audience to see. A facilitator/moderator guides the group in an informal discussion with the goal of exploring each print in a positive and constructive manner in a non-competitive environment. Prints are not judged or scored.

• Members may submit one print on discussion night. Bring your print to the meeting.
• Your name should not appear on the front of the print.
• Prints can be of any size up to a maximum of 18" x 24". There is no minimum size. Prints can be mounted onto a backing board, or have no mounting (just the print itself). Unmounted prints will be displayed using magnets in the viewing station.
• Frames, glass and mats are not permitted, nor are metal prints.