THE CATEGORIES
PHOTO: SUTEISHI
ADVERTISING & FASHION
Your image may be part of a commissioned or self-commissioned (personal) project. Submitted images should not include superimposed text, graphics or branding. (Branding that is part of the original photo, say on a product label, may be included.)
POST PRODUCTION: Image may be single-image or composite. All elements in the entry must have been photographed by you and must be 100% photographic in origin, including textures, backgrounds, skies, borders, etc. You may use cloning (band-aid tool) to 'clean up' the background part of the image, as well as people's skin, as would normally be found in advertising & fashion photography.The use of stock images, stock video, or clip art is not permitted.
As with all categories, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) – including the use of image creation software (such as MidJourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, etc) and AI replacement tools (such as Photoshop's Generative Fill) – is not permitted.
PHOTO: ANDREW KRAVCHENKO
DOCUMENTARY & STREET
Your image should be a truthful representation of an observed 'real' event. An event must not be staged by the photographer (or someone associated with the photographer, for example an assistant) for the purposes of photography.
POST PRODUCTION: Image must be single capture. Composite images are not allowed. Adding or changing pixels through the use of cloning or other means is not permitted, other than to remove dust spots. Cropping is allowed. Black-and-white conversions, along with minor tone, noise, and sharpness changes are permitted, with the proviso that these changes do not alter the narrative of the image. Competition organisers reserve the right to request original image files or to disqualify an image if they feel it lacks authenticity due to over-manipulation.
As with all categories, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) – including the use of image creation software (such as MidJourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, etc) and AI replacement tools (such as Photoshop's Generative Fill) – is not permitted.
PHOTO: RICHARD TONKIN
LANDSCAPE & ENVIRONMENT
Your image should be of the natural or built environment.
POST PRODUCTION: Image must be single capture, not composite, with the following exceptions: stitched panoramas, focus stacks and HDR images. (In these cases only, multiple images may be captured at the precise location and camera perspective within a 12-hour time period, and merged to form a single image). Image may be processed in post-production to adjust standard photographic variables such as cropping, noise, sharpness, colour, tone and contrast, including dodging and burning and black-and-white conversions. Lens and perspective corrections and minor cloning to remove dust spots and minor distractions are allowed. Competition organisers reserve the right to request original image files or to disqualify an image if they feel it lacks authenticity due to over-manipulation.
As with all categories, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) – including the use of image creation software (such as MidJourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, etc) and AI replacement tools (such as Photoshop's Generative Fill) – is not permitted.
PHOTO: MARIANA ZILBERSHTEYN
PEOPLE & PORTRAIT
Your image should include one or more people in the frame.
POST PRODUCTION: Image may be single-image or composite. All elements in the entry must have been photographed by you and must be 100% photographic in origin, including textures, backgrounds, skies, borders, etc. Skin and hair retouching is also allowed. The use of stock images, stock video, or clip art is not permitted.
As with all categories, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) – including the use of image creation software (such as MidJourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, etc) and AI replacement tools (such as Photoshop's Generative Fill) – is not permitted.
PHOTO: MAURO CANTELMI
WEDDING & EVENT
Your image must be from an actual (real) wedding, engagement, civil ceremony, or reception, or from a scheduled event not staged by the photographer (or someone associated with the photographer, for example an assistant) for the purposes of photography. This also includes live music events.
POST PRODUCTION: Image must be single capture. Composite images are not allowed. Image may be processed in post-production to adjust standard photographic variables such as cropping, noise, sharpness, colour, tone and contrast, including dodging and burning and black-and-white conversions. Lens and perspective corrections and minor cloning to remove distractions is allowed. Skin and hair retouching is also allowed. Competition organisers reserve the right to request original image files or to disqualify an image if they feel it lacks authenticity due to over-manipulation.
As with all categories, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) – including the use of image creation software (such as MidJourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, etc) and AI replacement tools (such as Photoshop's Generative Fill) – is not permitted.
ART & CONCEPTUAL
Entries should explore creative and imaginative concepts, pushing the boundaries of traditional photography to convey unique artistic visions. Your image may be part of a commissioned or self-commissioned (personal) project.
POST PRODUCTION: Image may be single-image or composite. All elements in the entry must have been photographed by you and must be 100% photographic in origin, including textures, backgrounds, skies, borders, etc. Skin and hair retouching is also allowed. The use of stock images, stock video, or clip art is not permitted.
As with all categories, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) – including the use of image creation software (such as MidJourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, etc) and AI replacement tools (such as Photoshop's Generative Fill) – is not permitted.
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