1. Digital - Entries must be taken with a digital camera and must be entered as prints. Prints must be received on time at the entry table by 6:00pm or they won't be displayed and entered in the Print Contest.
   
    
2. Members Only - Only paid club members of the T.O. Photo Group may enter the Print Contest.
   
    
3. Color - Pictures may be in color or black and white.
   
    
4. Categories and Levels - There are two separate categories in the Print Contest, Assigned Topic and Open. Within each category there are two levels, a First Level and an Advanced Level. The First Level is for members who have not won two ribbons in a prior contest (excluding the old Entry Level category). The Advanced Level is for members who have won two ribbons, or for photographers who know from their experience and skill level that they should be in the Advanced Level. Therefore, a member is either in the First Level for both categories (Assigned and Open), or in the Advanced Level for both categories. The structure of the levels and categories is as follows:
   1. First Level (for members who have not won 2 ribbons)
      1. Assigned Topic Category
      2. Open Category
   2. Advanced Level (for members who have won 2 ribbons)
      1. Assigned Topic Category
      2. Open Category
         
          
5. Assigned Topic Category -
   1. Topic - The subject or theme for the Assigned Topic category is announced at the club meeting two months before the Print Contest. See the Photo Group web site for the next assigned topic: www.topcc.org/photo.
   2. Editing - Pictures in the Assigned Topic category may have a limited amount of digital editing. For example, pictures may be corrected for color (Black and White is acceptable), contrast, white balance, saturation, etc. In addition, minor corrections may be done such as removing distracting objects (i.e., a pole behind someone’s head), but no additions (i.e., a new sky or a different person added) or composites from multiple images. A triptych or image composed of multiple images should be entered in the Open Category. Digital Art images should also be entered in the Open category.
   3. Date of Picture - Photos in the Assigned Topic category must be taken between the last and the current contest. For the two Assigned Topic levels, please don't use a picture from your archives. The purpose of the contests is to learn about the subject and how to take a picture of the assigned subject.
      
       
6. Open Category –
   1. Topic - There is no assigned topic in the Open category.
   2. Editing - Pictures in the Open category may have an unlimited amount of editing or digital manipulation. This includes Digital Art. All elements in the picture must be of the member's making.
   3. Date of Picture - The picture may be from your archive and is not limited as to when it was taken.
      
       
7. Number of Entries - There is a maximum of 2 entries per member, per contest. Members may enter either one or two entries in the Assigned Topic category or one or two entries in the Open category. However, the maximum total number of entries per contest is 2. You must enter the same level, either First or Advanced, in both categories, Assigned or Open.
   
    
8. Size of Entries - The print entries submitted for both categories may be any size up to a maximum outside dimension of 16" x 20". A mat is optional. You can mount your photo in a mat if you prefer, but the outside of the mat cannot be larger than a maximum of 16"x 20". There are no hard frames allowed such as wood, metal, etc., and pictures may not be mounted behind glass.
   
    
9. Identification - On all prints entered, the name of the Level and Category (either First Assigned, First Open, Advanced Assigned, or Advanced Open), the full name of the photographer and title of the picture must be written on the back of the entry. For example, Advanced Open_Bob Smith1_Lillies of the Field.jpg
   
    
10. Descriptive Titles - You may add a description or a title to the front of the picture, but your Level/Category and name must only go on the back along with the title of the picture.
    
     
11. Judging of the prints will be conducted by a professional photographer. A first place, second place and third place ribbon will be awarded in each category and each level, i.e., First Assigned, First Open, Advanced Assigned, or Advanced Open, if the judge determines that there were images in each category and level deserving of that award. The judge will also independently award a Judge's Merit Award for exceptional images when he or she critiques the images. Only Print Contest entries that were also submitted digitally will be critiqued to explain what makes that picture special and to make suggestions on how each picture might be improved. Note: Print Contest entries that are not submitted digitally for the critique but that win a ribbon will not be displayed on the club's website, newsletter, etc.
    
     
12. Critiquing - If you wish to have your picture critiqued by a professional photographer, please email a digital file of your picture in JPG format, to PhotoEntries@topcc.org by 6:00 pm two days before the club meeting. Late pictures will not be critiqued. Having your picture critiqued is optional and is not required as part of entering the Print Contest, however all critiqued pictures are eligible to receive a Judge's Merit Award for exceptional pictures. Members are encouraged to participate in the anonymous critique process as it is one of the fastest ways to improve as a photographer. If you enter two digital image files, you must specify with the number 1 and 2 after your name, which entry is your preferred image for critiquing, in case of time limits.

    Resize

    Emailed files must be resized to a maximum of 1024 pixels wide and 768 pixels tall
    (neither dimension may exceed those measurements).
    See the article entitled, Resizing Your Images for Contests on our website on the Photo Resources page: http://topcc.org/photogroup

    Rename

    Before emailing your digital pictures, you must rename the digital picture file with the correct entry level and category listed first (see below), then your Full Name and finally the Title of the image in the file name. You must place the number 1 and 2 after your name to indicate the primary and secondary picture for critiquing (in case of time constraints). For example: First Assigned_David Smith1_Sultry Sunset.jpg Do NOT use ALL CAPS but DO use spaces and underscores for legibility and read-ability. The correct entry level and category names for each level for renaming the digital files are as follows:

    (First Level):

    • First Assigned
    • First Open

    (Advanced Level):

    • Advanced Assigned
    • Advanced Open

13. Eligibility - Any entries not following these official Print Contest rules will be disqualified and ineligible to win any prizes or awards for that evening’s Print Contest. The decision of the Print Contest Coordinator and the elected leadership of the Photo Group will be final re: application of the Print Contest rules.

Print Contest Procedures.

• There will be a table set up outside the meeting room where members should enter their pictures at the beginning of the night (please arrive before 6:00pm to enter).
  
   
• Be sure to write on the back of each picture your Level and Category (either First Assigned, First Open, Advanced Assigned, or Advanced Open), your Full Name with the number 1 or 2, and the Picture Title.
  For example: First Assigned_Bob Jones 1_Lovely Lady.jpg.
  
   
• Judge's Merit Awards are announced during the critiquing, while the final results of the judges ribbon awards are announced at the end of the meeting.
  
   
• Winning pictures in each category and level will receive either a First, Second or Third place ribbon and will be displayed on the club web site, club Flickr website and in our Digital Newsletter (space permitting).

1. Only members of the T.O. Photo Group may enter the Digital Composition Challenge.
   
    
2. Each Photo Group member may enter up to 2 pictures per Challenge.
   
    
3. All pictures must be submitted digitally and will be projected for viewing and critiquing.
   
    
4. Pictures must utilize the monthly Composition guideline or theme. See the club website for information on the composition theme for the next Challenge at: http://topcc.org/photogroup
   
    
5. There is no limit on editing or using computer software to enhance or modify the image.
   
    
6. There is no limit on when the picture was taken. You may use a picture from your archive.
   
    
7. There is no assigned subject for this category, only the assigned composition theme.
   
    
8. There are no separate levels for beginning or advanced photographers in the Digital Composition Challenge because members do NOT compete with other members for an award. Members are only competing against themselves to see if they can produce a picture of exceptional merit.
   
    
9. Pictures will be critiqued anonymously by a professional photographer. Exceptional pictures that also include the monthly composition theme will be awarded a Judge's Merit Award and the photographer’s name will be announced. Winning pictures will be published on the Photo Group and/or Flickr website and in the club’s Digital Newsletter (space permitting). Pictures will be evaluated based on their use of the composition theme and overall impact as well as their artistic and technical merit and creativity.
   
    
10. All entries for the Digital Composition Challenge must be entered via email by 6pm two days before the Challenge. Send pictures to PhotoEntries@topcc.org
    1. All entries must be resized to a maximum size of 1024 pixels horizontal by 768 pixels vertical (neither dimension may exceed those maximums). Only JPG files (sRGB) are acceptable.
    2. All entries must have the file name renamed to include the photographer’s full name and then the image name. Place the number 1 and number 2 after your name to indicate the primary and secondary picture you wish to have critiqued (in case of time constraints). For example, Jeanie Smith 1_Desert Dunes.jpg. Do not use ALL CAPS; Do use spaces and an underscore for readability and legibility.
    3. An email will be sent to confirm receipt of your entry. If you do not receive a confirmatory email, presume that your entry was not received and contact the club for assistance. Enter early to be sure you have time to get your images entered with the correct naming conventions.
    4. For detailed instructions on how to prepare your photos for submission, see the article entitled, Resizing Your Images for Contests on the club website on the Photo Resources page at: http://topcc.org/photogroup
       
        
11. Entries not following these rules will be disqualified and ineligible for that month’s Digital Composition Challenge. The decision of the elected leadership of the Photo Group re: eligibility of entries will be final.