Competition Info

Capturing and Editing Rules

The competition rules apply to all photos you enter, and they are mostly independent of the category rules. However, you need to understand both sets of rules in order to ensure that your photos are eligible to be entered into the competition.

1. Photos must be captured by the member entering them into the competition using a light-sensitive device, such as a camera (digital or film), phone, or other device with a camera lens.
2. Composite photos are permitted if all elements used are the member’s original work.
3. Photos may be edited by the member entering them into the competition. No other person may edit the photos.
4. The member’s name may not be visible in the photo.
5. Photos must be no older than 3 years.
6. Winning photos (1st, 2nd, or 3rd place) from any monthly competition may not be re-entered into future monthly contests. This ban applies to the photo, even if altered (e.g., cropped, retouched, or converted to monochrome).

Category Descriptions and Rules

• Assigned Subject – The subject must be represented in the photo in some way.
• Monthly Challenge – The same as Assigned Subject, except the photo must be taken after the subject is announced.
• Nature – Depicts our world without any sign of human-made artifacts.
  • Editing must maintain a natural look, and adding elements is not allowed. Also, borders are not allowed.
  • Banded or tagged animals are allowed. However, tame or wild domesticated animals are not allowed.
• Open Color – Any subject is allowed. The photo must contain more than one color tone.
• Open Monochrome – Any subject is allowed. Must be grayscale or toned in a single color throughout. No partial or spot coloring.
• Creative – A fresh expression of a scene is a new and unique way of seeing and capturing a moment. It can convey an idea or message in a way that is both visually striking and thought-provoking.
• Landscape (includes Cityscape & Waterscapes) – Focuses on capturing the natural beauty of the world around us. The photos frequently capture sweeping vistas.

Note: For all categories except Open Color and Open Monochrome, the photo may be in color or monochrome.

See rule clarifications and examples at the bottom of this page.

Judges Info Session

Flagpole has a 30 minute call with the judges a few days before the competition. Here are the topics we cover with the judges.

Class Distinctions

The Open Color and Open Monochrome categories allow members to choose whether to enter their photos in Class A or Class B. However, members are not allowed to enter a photo in both Class A and Class B for the same competition.

• Class A – Advanced. This is a category for more experienced photographers.
• Class B – Basic. This is a category for photographers who are developing their skills.

Digital Competitions

• A maximum of one photo per category is allowed.
• Each entry must be submitted using our digital submission process. The Upload Help page provides details on file formats and sizes.
• The digital submission process controls the resolution of the photo. Our digital competition system currently supports HDTV 1K resolution, which is a maximum width of 1920 pixels and a maximum height of 1080 pixels. All aspect ratios are supported. Your entries may be landscape, portrait, square, panorama, or whatever works best for your photo. Large photos are automatically resized to fit within 1920 x 1080 resolution. The aspect ratio will be preserved.
• Upload deadline is generally 9 pm on Sunday before the next competition.

Learning Through Competition: A Note on Feedback

Competitions are a great way to sharpen your photography skills and discover new perspectives. Constructive feedback from judges is a valuable learning tool. However, remember that judging art is inherently subjective. Judges offer their perspective based on their experience, but they can’t see your original vision or thought process.

• Embrace Helpful Feedback: If a judge’s comments resonate with you (for your photo or another’s), consider how you might apply that insight to your future work.
• It’s Okay to Disagree: If you find feedback unhelpful or it doesn’t align with your artistic goals, it’s perfectly fine to acknowledge it and move on.
• Your Art, Your Choice: Ultimately, the decision to incorporate or disregard any judging comments rests entirely with you. The most important thing is that you are happy with your own photos.

Printed Competitions (currently on hold)

• A maximum of one photo per category is allowed.
• Have a club label affixed in the upper left corner on the back of the photo. Printable labels are available here: Competition Print Labels.
• Be either matted or mounted. No frames. No loose photos.
• Have a maximum overall size of 16″ x 20″.
• If mounted, the minimum one side dimension of the photo is 10″. For example, a 10×10 photo mounted on foam core.
• If matted, the minimum one side exposed dimension is 9.5″.

Annual Competition and Exhibit

Each spring, the club holds an annual exhibition and competition with different entry rules than regular meeting competitions. These differences include:

• Quantity: A maximum of six photos per photographer, with no more than two in any single category.
• Categories: There are typically five categories: Creative, Landscape, Nature, Open Color, and Open Monochrome.
• Monthly Winners: Award-winning photos (1st, 2nd, or 3rd place) from monthly competitions are eligible and highly encouraged. Since these photos have already proven to be strong contenders, members are urged to re-enter their best work from the year to compete for the Annual awards.
• Previous Annual Winners: Ribbon winners from previous years’ Annual Competitions are not allowed.

The following awards are given by a team of outside judges. A photo cannot receive more than one award from the judges (excluding People’s Choice).

• Best in Show: The most outstanding photo of the competition.
• First, Second, or Third Place: Awarded for each category.
• Judges’ Choice: Each judge awards their personal favorite photo that did not receive any other ribbon.
• People’s Choice Award: Members vote for their favorite photo. This photo is unique in that it may also receive an award from the judges.

Rule Clarification Examples

Using AI tools where you use text to describe new objects in your photos is not allowed. In the photo below, Photoshop was asked to create the three balloons using this prompt: “Exactly three very high detail hot air balloons with red, white and blue designs“.