Tonight the top three in the f2.8 and the f5.6 league will compete to be elected Photographer of the Year by the members of the Society
Each of the SIX (6) photographers will present THREE (3) images from the photographic genres set-out ibelow Only ONE (1) image is allowed from each genre and the portfolio must be either ALL prints or ALL PDIs but not a combination of the TWO (2).
The photographic genres for the final round of POTY are:
People - a picture where the principal subject of the photograph is either a person or group of people. This includes formal and informal portraits, figure studies, groups and people in action for example, sport or other activities.
Scenes - a picture showing a view or scene and includes seascape and cityscape as well as landscape.
Nature and Wildlife - The definitions drafted jointly by the Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique (FIAP), which represents more than 85 national associations including the photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB), the Photographic Society of America (PSA), and The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) applies. A copy of the definitions can be downloaded from the Society’s website.
Open – there is no restriction on subject matter in this genre, however, the image should maintain the original content with minimal adjustments which should not alter the reality of the picture and should appear natural.
Creative - again, there is no restriction on subject matter in this genre. However, the image should be noticeably different from an image viewed through the camera lens. The submitted image must have originated from an image or images captured by a camera and the use of third-party clip art and textures is not permitted. All creative processing techniques are allowed including for example, combined images and montages and HDR
Close-up – any subject that is recorded in such a way as to not fit the whole frame owing to the closeness of the camera to the subject. The subject does not have to be larger than life-size, although true macro images are included in the genre and can be of any subject matter.
Overview of POTY Structure
The POTY competition consists of TWO (2) parts.
In the first part of the competition there are FIVE (5) rounds with members competing in TWO (2) leagues
In the second part of the competition the THREE (3) photographers in each league with the highest score at the end of the first five rounds will compete in a SIXTH (6th) and ‘Final’ round to be elected the ‘Photographer of the Year’ by the members of the Society.
The Leagues
To encourage more members to enter images and allow them to improve their photography at their own pace over time there will be TWO (2) leagues
f2.8 league - those members who have, passed photographic qualifications (minimum A Level, or NVQ Level 3), awarded photographic distinctions (for example RPS, PAGB etc.), have in the past FIVE (5) years won previous POTY rounds, and/or awards in previous NDPS exhibitions (or their equivalent), and/or are generally accepted to be accomplished ‘club’ photographers.
f5.6 league - those members who are less accomplished photographers, and/or are new to photography.
At start of the 2020/2021 season (and before the start of each subsequent season) members will choose which league they wish to join, and they will remain in that league throughout the season. There will be no automatic promotion or relegation between the leagues at the end of each season, but members who have excelled in the f5.6 league will be encouraged to move up to the f2.8 league. A member who wins the f5.6 league in each of TWO (2) consecutive seasons will be expected to move into the f2.8 league at the start of the next season
A member of the f2.8 group whose work throughout TWO (2) consecutive seasons has consistently been amongst the weakest may also be encouraged to move down to the f5.6 group. New members of the Society will normally be placed in the f5.6 league unless following discussion with the Competition Secretary it is decided that the current standard of their photography merits inclusion in the f2.8 group.
A full st of the rules for all NDPS competitions can be dowloaded from the Members’ Area of the website. If a member has any doubt about the rules or the eligability of an image they are planning to submit they should seek clarification from the Competition Secretary before entering the competition.