Award Categories 2023

Architectural

An image of the interior or exterior of a building or structure, in whole or in part, as a detail or graphic, where the integrity, design, and structure of the building are the primary focus of the image.

The image must be sympathetic to the architectural elements of the structure. While there is an obvious emphasis on the technical elements of the image, the judges will be looking for harmony between the design of the building/structure and the composition of the image.

1. Abstract — a more ‘artistic’ take on architecture photography, usually featuring lines, shapes, or angles, or parts of a structure outside the context of the whole
2. Bridges — images of bridges, arches, piers, or other similar structures or parts thereof
3. Buildings — photographs featuring buildings and structures, or any aspects of a building’s architectural features
4. Cityscapes — the physical aspects of a city or urban area
5. Historic — buildings or architectural sites with historic significance or value
6. Interiors — Interior design or aspects or buildings or structural spaces
7. Industrial — buildings and structures serving commerce and/or industry
8. Other — architectural sites and structures, or aspects thereof, which fall outside the range of the above categories

Commercial

Any image that is commissioned to illustrate a product, people, expertise or to promote brand awareness. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Product Photography
• Fashion Photography
• Promotion of Brand or Corporate Identity
• Corporate Portraits
• An image used to convey an idea or concept

Please note that any exterior or interior images should be entered in Architectural.

The normal judging criteria of course applies here but there is a strong emphasis on the technical elements of the image, i.e.

Nature > Landscape

Any image that portrays a landscape or urban landscape (?). Judges will be looking for a strong emphasis on originality and artistic merit. Images taken at common/popular landscape locations will require something very unique in their approach in order to stand out. Fine Art Landscapes are also a part of this category.

Includes:

• Composition

Images may be black and white. Stitched panoramas are acceptable.

Nature > Nature & Wildlife

This category is for photography that is dedicated to displaying natural elements such as wildlife, plants, and close-ups of natural scenes and textures.

Includes:

• Plants
• Flowers
• Trees
• Close-ups of natural scenes and textures
• Macro
• Still Life
• Actual wildlife in a natural habitat

Do Fine Art nature photos belong here or in Open Creative?

Open Creative

This category is for creative photography in all mediums. Human Form is included (?). Anything that contributes artistically to the image is allowed including editing, manipulation, compositing, use of illustration, and graphic elements. All elements in the images must be taken by the photographer. No stock imagery may be used as part of the composition. All elements must be photographed/produced by the entrant.

Includes:

• Creative projects
• Fine Art Photography
• Graphic depiction of any concept or subject

Portraits, where the photographer is related to the subject, should now be entered into the portrait category.

Portrait > Classic & Creative Portrait

This category is for portrait photography focusing on classic, modern, or creative portraiture.

Includes:

• Studio Portraits (ONLY Studio?)
• Environmental Portraits (?)
• Nudes
• Styled Portraits
• Creative photo techniques
• Extensive makeup or props
• Single subject to family groups.
• Pets may be included in this category either on their own or with family members.

This is a social category: Corporate Portraits would be under the Commercial Category.

No composite images can be used unless ALL elements of the composite are also photographed by the entrant.

Images with the same subject and/or from the same scene/session cannot be entered into multiple categories.

Portrait images do not need to be derived from commissioned portrait sessions.

Portrait > Natural Portrait

This category is for portrait photography focusing on classic, modern, or creative portraiture.

Includes:

• Documentary style portraits
• Non-Studio family portraiture
• Outdoor or on location
• Lifestyle
• Animals

This is a social category: Corporate Portraits would be under the Commercial Category.

No composite images can be used unless ALL elements of the composite are also photographed by the entrant.

Images with the same subject and/or from the same scene/session cannot be entered into multiple categories.

Portrait images do not need to be derived from commissioned portrait sessions.

Portrait > Maternity & Newborn Portrait

This category is for photographs where pregnancy, birth, and newborn babies are the focus, whether as a single person or a group, inclusive of all styles.

Includes:

• Studio
• On-Location
• Lifestyle
• Documentary
• Birth
• With or without other people: parents, siblings, pets, etc.

A Newborn portrait must include a newborn baby that is less than 8 weeks past their due date. This will allow for babies who are born premature to be included in this category when they are well enough to be photographed.

All images that include a newborn or pregnant mother must be entered in this category.

Maternity & Newborn images may be derived from commissioned or non-commissioned portrait sessions.

Images with the same subject and/or from the same scene/session cannot be entered into multiple categories.

No composite images can be used unless ALL elements of the composite are also photographed by the entrant. Digital backgrounds may not be used unless photographed by the entrant.

Documentary and environment portraits are included in this category.

Reportage

This category is for photographs that capture actual public or non-public events, life, and breaking news.

Includes:

• Sports
• Music, Concerts
• Dance
• Street
• An area of human interest
• Social Cause
• Traditions & Culture

No composites allowed. All images must be produced using standard camera and lighting techniques.

Wedding > Classic & Creative

Posed, classic photography. Posed shots of the couple, an individual bride or groom, or the group at large. Successful entries involve direction from the photographer, and excellent control of scene, light, and pose.

Creative Photography closely follows market trends or even sets new ones. Creative wedding photography is modern, contemporary, fresh and exciting. This style of images may have many of the classic elements but also incorporates many modern and creative elements.

Includes:

• Posed shots of the couple
• Individual portraits of the bride or groom
• Group photographs

Posing or client interactions may be casual, unusual, or possibly break convention. Compositions, cropping, and styles of processing may also be key elements in an award-winning image of this type. The photographer must clearly convey their understanding of the elements of modern, creative photography and show that they have attempted to understand the genre.

Wedding > Documentary

Documentary, reportage, or journalistic photography. The aim of this type of photographic style is to document the wedding day in an unobtrusive fashion, conveying a clear narrative. The photographer must show that the image was completely undirected and had a ‘hands off’ approach when taken. Nothing posed, or from the couple shoot should be submitted here.

Includes:

• Undirected photographs
• Storytelling images
• Getting Ready
• Ceremony
• Reception
• Dance Floor

It is imperative that the image tells a story. This is where there is a difference between documentary and candid. There are many moments that can be captured on the fly, i.e. ‘candidly’ but this does not necessarily make it a documentary image. The judges will be looking for a story/drama/life/emotion, looking to see that the photographer has composed the shot to include the elements needed to convey that story. A simple candid shot is not documentary, judges will be looking for more.