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Advance to L2: accumulate 200 total points, with at least one image scoring 7 or above. No minimum number of categories and no minimum per category — all scores count, even if entered entirely in one category.
Images may be entered as open images or in any category. Points accumulate year over year until the 200-point threshold is reached.
Executive discretion: experienced first-timers may be promoted directly to Level 2.
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Advance to L3: complete all criteria below across 6 categories. Members may enter images in any category at any time — the criteria apply only at the point of promotion.
50 points accumulated in each of the 6 qualifying categories. These 50 points are only valid when both scoring criteria below are also satisfied within that same category.
One image per qualifying category must score 8 or higher.
All other images in qualifying categories must score 6 or higher.
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All members enter Level 3 starting at Bronze. Members may enter any category at any time. To advance through each tier, all criteria below must be fully met across 8 categories. When advancing from Bronze to Silver, or from Silver to Gold, the count resets entirely: all 8 category requirements must be completed from scratch at the new tier's criteria. Total points beyond the per-category requirements are not a factor in advancement.
8 categories, 50 pts eachPoints must come from images scoring 7 or higher1 image at 9+ per category
8 categories, 50 pts eachPoints must come from images scoring 8 or higher2 images at 9+ per category
8 categories, 50 pts eachPoints must come from images scoring 8 or higher4 images at 9+ per category
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May enter any category with no maximum accumulated score per category.
Aggregate scores are recorded but ineligible for club year-end awards.
Eligible for Assigned Awards.
Rules that apply at every level
Image scores are recorded per category and are cumulative year over year.
After promotion, members start with zero scores in the new level's categories.
Points carry over across years until level requirements are met.
Promotion takes effect the month after requirements are completed.
Promoted in the first half of the season (September to January): competes at new level for aggregate score award.
Promoted in the second half of the season (February to June): competes at former level for aggregate score award.
Below-threshold scores still count toward the aggregate total.
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Members are free to pursue any categories they choose throughout their competition journey. At every level, images may be entered into any category at any time. The category requirements at Levels 2 and 3 define what must be completed to advance, not what can be entered.
20 categories in total across 5 groups
Documentary — 2
Pictorial — 12
Creative — 3
Open — 2
Artistic — 1
Documentary2 categories
NA Nature
PJ Photojournalism
Creative3 categories
AB Abstract
CE Creative Edit
IC In Camera Effects
Pictorial12 categories
A Action
AR Architecture
LA Landscape & Seascape
DC Domestic & Captive Animals
UR Urban or Rural
FL Floral
PT Portraiture
MA Macro
ST Sport
SL Still Life
SP Street Photography
ZM Mature