Digital submissions are sized to a maximum of 1024 pixels on the longer side at 72dpi resolution, and sRGB color space, and saved in the jpeg (.jpg) format.  File size should be 1MB or less.

Image files should be named as follows:

Image Title (with each word separated by a underscore) Member ID Number (underscore) Section (dot) jpg

For Example: wye_oak_123_b.jpg

This nomenclature facilitates sorting images by title so that those of one photographer do not appear together during the judging, and is necessary so that the compilers do not have to retype each file name. All entries must have distinct titles. Please avoid using similar titles such as dog 1 and dog 2.  The name must consist of only lower case letters, numerals, underscores and the “.jpg” filename extension.  The name should not begin with a numeral (0-9). Any other characters (upper case letters, symbols like ?, !, -, &, and so on) can cause serious problems when putting together the slideshow and spreadsheet for the judge.

Digital photos must be submitted by 11:45 PM WEDNESDAY after the Speaker Meeting date. Digital images should be sent to the club using the

link in the TCC newsletter or sent through your email provider to the club via the digitalsubmit@tidewatercameraclub.org

e-mail address. Photos are required to be submitted as attachments to the email. Digital photos not submitted via the TCC e-mail address by the deadline may be disqualified by the Chief Judge. Entries with incomplete or incorrect files names, or those saved in inappropriate sizes, will be forwarded to the member for correction if time permits. Items returned to the TCC with corrected file names must also meet the submission deadline.  No changes will be permitted after the competition materials have been provided to the judge for that competition.

Members without Internet access must provide their submissions to an officer by the deadline, who will register the digital image for them, or they may mail the image on a CD or DVD directly to the Compiler. These submissions are also subject to the deadline.

The Compiler/Score Tabulator will send periodic reminders to the membership advising of upcoming competition deadlines.

The TCC adopts the “Judging Guidelines for Members” as a guide for the evaluation of photographs entered in its competitions.

In order to judge each competition, the Competition Team will recruit a non-club photographer or artist, a graduate of the Maryland Photography Alliance’s Judge Certification Program, a professional photographer, or a panel of TCC members with appropriate experience.

Images are rated on a 15 point scale by the judge, with a maximum of 5 in each of the three main factors: Composition; Technical Merit; Impact of the photo. Scoring guidance for the composition and technical merit categories is:

1. 1. Suffers, in your opinion, from serious flaws that severely damage its overall appeal

   2. Has moderate flaws that reduce its potential appeal, to you, average

   3. Good: only minor flaws that if eliminated, would improve the image’s overall impact

   4. Fine: very minor flaws that minimally affect the impact of the image

   5. Excellent: no flaws that detract from the image at all.

We have not provided any guidance for the “Impact” category since that is a more personal and subjective area.

Images are reviewed in one group and then ranked within their section. The ratings and comments of the judge will be shared with the membership.

Digital images are displayed on a projection screen or computer monitor in an order determined by the Compiler, and will be judged prior to the competition meeting to allow more time for discussion. A tabulation sheet is prepared corresponding to the order of the images and used to document the scores. No identifying data is displayed during the competition.

The Score Tabulators shall carefully check the sum of the judge’s scores. They will use a computer based system to tabulate the scores and announce the winners and their scores at the end of each competition. Places of 1st, 2nd and 3rd are awarded, and ties are permitted. Winners will be announced by name.  The Judge may be asked to select the top 3 images from those entered, and those images will be announced to the members.

The club places high value on education. Images will be discussed after each competition. The discussion will include time for the photographer to comment on his/her own image(s).

Each club year, two photos are selected as Photos of the Year (POTY), one from the digital group and one print.

Members may submit their choice of any 2 images previously entered into monthly competitions that club year. The deadline for these entries will be announced to the membership after the April competition. Digital entries are submitted in accordance with the “Entry Requirements Section” above, except that the images, which are already on file with the compiler, need not be attached.

Each club year, two photos are selected as Photos of the Year (POTY), one from the digital group and one print.

A Print of the Year will be selected from member prints displayed at TCC exhibits. Each displaying member may select up to two (2) qualifying prints for Print of the Year consideration. Eligible prints must have been on display in any club sponsored exhibit during the current club year and not previously submitted for the print or digital POTY. Prints entered must be the same size as displayed at the TCC exhibit and must be framed and wired for hanging. If a print sells during an exhibit, an identical copy may be entered in the print POTY.

POTY print submissions must be registered by 11:45 PM on a date determined by the Competition Team. Prints should be registered by submitting the print titles to the club via the e-mail address.

For each entry, members will provide their name, Member ID number, image title and section (“A”, “B”, or “C”) in the body of the e-mail. All entries must have distinct titles. Titles must also be identical to those used to register for an exhibit, since qualifying images must be listed in the exhibit database. The Compiler/Score Tabulator will disqualify prints not properly or incorrectly registered by the deadline.

Attach a “Print Registration” label to the back of your print(s). Any label can be used but must include member name, ID number, section and image title. A label template will be available for download on the TCC website in the “members only” section. Remember to include all of the required information on the label. Names that appear on the print or mat will be temporarily covered during the judging process.

The Competition Team shall arrange for one to three judges for these annual competitions. Every effort shall be made to obtain the services of qualified outside judges, including artists or professional photographers of merit. Prints and digital entries shall be judged separately. First, second and third place winners, and an appropriate number of honorable mentions, shall be selected for each competition.

Gift certificates, checks, or photography-related items may be used as awards for the Photo of the Year competitions. First place, second place, third place, honorable mention, People’s Choice, and high point ribbons may also be given. Other types of awards may be given at the discretion of the Advisory Committee. These awards are usually presented at the annual dinner meeting in June. In memory of Frederick A. Curtis, the club may also give an award to a 1st year member who has shown the most progress in photography or has made significant service contributions to the club. A President’s Award to a member for distinguished service during the year may also be given. Nominations for this award will come from the membership, but the President will select the winner.

At the discretion of the Advisory Committee, other competitions may be conducted and awards given for photographic excellence.

These rules will become effective on the day they are approved by the membership and may be revised in accordance with the “Bylaws.”

Prepared 21 December 2007

Approved by the Advisory Committee and the membership on 7 January 2008

Revised and approved by the Advisory Committee on 22 August 2008

Revised and approved by the Advisory Committee – June 2009

Revised and approved by the Advisory Committee – July 2009

Revised and approved by the Advisory Committee – July 2010

Revised and approved by the Advisory Committee – July 5, 2011

Revised and approved by the Advisory Committee – January 18, 2016

Revised and approved by the Advisory Committee – May 1, 2019