Competition Information
Middleton Camera Club: Lose a Hobby - Gain a Passion
How did we get here?
In the past, and with a smaller membership, all photographers competed together in a single ‘group’; there were no ‘divisions’ set up to differentiate photographers according to their skill level. As the club evolved, it became clear that we didn’t have the balance quite right, as almost all the awards went to those with the highest cumulative scores and there was nothing in place to encourage and reward developing photographers. We looked around at other clubs, talked to members and decided that we wanted to avoid the formality of pre-determined ‘divisions’ as this also brings challenges: Where are new members assigned; are pre-season divisions based on past performance, self-selection or something else? Trying something new. We wanted to come up with a method of balance, fairness and recognition that didn’t force us down the route of formal league tables and divisions. This, we learnt from other clubs, can cause dissent and was always something that we wanted to avoid. We looked around, nothing seemed perfect for us at MCC so decided to have a crack at something new. How does it work? In line with our friendly ethos, everybody will start each season together in the Club Class with skills measured against a contemporary peer group and not based on historic performance. When a photographer is awarded two or more scores of 19 or 20 they will move, nominally, into the Merit Class – this recognises consistency at a higher skill level. Print and PDI media are treated separately, acknowledging the different techniques and skills required for each format. For example: A member may be in the Merit Class for Print and Club Class for PDI. Over the season, the Merit Class will naturally grow and the Club Class will shrink. Based upon the scores from the 2018- 2019 season, this latest tweak should give us a pretty even split between members in both classes. How will the awards be calculated? During the season, up to 12 prints and 12 PDIs might be entered into each competition series: remember, this may drop lower if there are a high number of entries. When it comes to awards, the top eight scores for each member will be averaged and the member with the highest average score from each group will be duly recognised for their contribution. In the event of a tie, the most 1st , 2nd and 3rd places will be used to determine the overall winner as before. By only counting the top 8 of a possible 12 scores, members who, for personal reasons, miss a competition, will not be unduly penalised. It also encourages experimentation, allowing members to attempt new techniques or explore new genres, without dragging down their average scores. |
WHAT JUDGES MAY LOOK
FOR IN CLUB COMPETITIONS Although digital cameras are able to take very good snap-shots using the default automatic settings built into nearly every modern camera, the results can often be improved by switching off 'Auto' thereby overriding the average settings and then setting exposure, focus, white balance and ISO functions separately. This is the way to produce a technically sound picture which will impress the judges. So, assuming we have produced a technically sound photograph, what other things are the judges looking for? Individual input – originality, creative, unusual viewpoint, a special message or touch of humour. Atmosphere in picture. Impact – maybe bold or more subtle, keep it simple, no clutter, must grab attention, fill the frame. Light must be right, natural or flash, best angle, use flash sparingly, strong light or low key, shadows, night lights. Try for light in front (contra-jour) for sunsets, silhouettes, etc. Composition – choice and arrangement of subject, rule of thirds, level horizons, walk round to find better / different angle, look for 'story' in picture. Consider cropping to enhance image. Look for diagonals to lead eye into picture from corners. Be ruthless and delete poor pictures. Take the trouble to clean up minor blemishes & intrusive imperfections with Photoshop or other software. Presentation – go the extra mile to present your photo well, in a mount or frame, with a border. Make sure there are no finger marks, no dust or ink marks and mounts are straight & clean. Some judges are very good and their comments are worth noting. Others are not so good, and you should not feel embarrassed by their opinion. At the end of the day photographs should be taken to please yourself. If a judge likes them too, then that is a welcome bonus." |
Mix and Match Competition A three way fun competition between Middleton Camera Club, Bognor Camera Club and Littlehampton Camera Club. The idea is that two or more teams hold a hand of 40 different images the more bizarre the better! One team leads and projects an image and the other Team(s) have got just 30 seconds to project an image that 'matches' the original one. - in form, colour, inspiration etc etc. The judge will decide if there is a match or not (often with some encouragement from the participating club members). The total number of 'Matches' are given out at the end of the competition. An invitation will be sent out to all members to submit images for selection, prior to the competition. Try to submit those that can not be matched is what it is all about. Mix & Match entries remain eligible for entry to formal competitions MSW Trophy An Inter-Club competition between Middleton Camera Club, Selsey Camera Club and Witterings Camera Club. This is an annual competition and hosted on rotation by each club. 20 images are submitted and are marked by an independent judge. All members can submit images for selection. Print/PDI of the Year This is your chance to select your favourite image from the current season - see rules for entry requirements. As a tip, photography is an art and not a science so judges seldom agree with each other. Don't reject images that may have not done well - if YOU like a picture then why not give it a second outing you may be pleasantly surprised! |
External/Regional Competitions In addition to club competitions we will be encouraging to participate in a number of external competitions with our neighbouring clubs and affiliated regional groups, Southern Counties Photographic Federation (SCPF). The External Competition Secretary will be inviting entries when dates are confirmed. Everybody is welcome to submit images for selection.
External Competition
Selection Committee Channel Cup 'Chairman's Award' The Chairman selects the type of competition that will be held each year and the members accept this at our AGM. This competition can take different forms year by year. One year it could be a PDI competition another year a Print competition or even a Panel of Images. Please check current years programme and the rules for specific details. Knock-Out Competitions Knock-out competitions are typically print competitions run with a series of heats. Prints are submitted by members on the night and 'shuffled' up. Two are picked at random and presented side by side. Members vote on their favourite, which then goes through to the next heat. At the end, only two pictures are left and a winner is selected. Knock-out prints remain eligible for entry into formal competitions. |
Please Note:- That the competition guides published above are for guidance only
and not all competitions may take place every season
and not all competitions may take place every season
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