Exhibition Category Definitions
APAC exhibition image submissions fall into five domains: Documentary, Pictorial, Creative, Open & Artistic. Each domain has categories associated with it detailed below.
Image editing and enhancements are permitted in all five domains, but each domain is subject to it's own editing rules.
Domain One - Documentary Editing Rules
Domain Two - Pictorial Editing Rules
Domain Three - Creative Editing Rules
Domain Four - Open Editing Rules
Domain Five - Artistic Editing Rules
DOMAIN ONE - Documentary
Documentary Categories
Nature (NA):
Images of untamed animals and uncultivated plants in their natural habitat. (CAPA rules and ethics apply!) “Evidence of man, manipulation of the environment in any part of the image and human elements must not be present, except on the rare occasion where those human elements are part of the nature story; e.g. for birds – sitting on a thin wire or the top of a post. However, if at all possible, these should be avoided. The presence of scientific bands or collars on wild animals is acceptable where it adds to the story, but should be minimal and avoided. After satisfying the above requirements, every effort should be made to use the highest level of artistic skill in all nature photographs.”
Photojournalism (PJ):
An image that tells a story, where the story telling quality of the image is weighted more than the pictorial aspect.
DOMAIN TWO -Pictorial
Pictorial Categories
Action (A):
May include images of Sport but open to interpretation of Action
Architecture (AR):
Images depicting buildings, structures, interiors and surroundings,whole or in part, that emphasizes design or functionality.
Landscape or Seascape (LA):
Scenic images of land or water.
Domestic & Captive Animals (DC):
Pets, livestock, zoo animals, and animals of similar circumstances.
Urban or Rural (UR):
Images depicting either urban or rural scenes.
Floral (FL):
Images of flowers or parts of flowers. Both cultivated and natural specimens are acceptable.
Portraiture (PT):
Images of persons with the person as the main subject.
Macro (MA):
An image where the main subject is displayed at least one half life size relative to 35mm film. For example, a subject of 7 cm. size, would fully occupy, at minimum, the long side of the print or projected image - regardless of the camera format used to produce the image.
Sport (ST):
Images of Sport(s)
Still Life (SL):
An arranged setting of inanimate objects under controlled conditions.
Street Photography (SP):
An image that features subjects in candid situations within public places and does not necessitate the presence of a street or even the urban environment. The subject can even be absent of any people and can be that of object or environment where an object projects a human character, or an environment is decidedly human. Framing and timing are key aspects, with the aim of creating images at a decisive or poignant moment.
Mature (ZM):
Includes images of a sensitive nature including semi-nudity. We will not permit images that display genitals or focus in on fully exposed buttocksnor will we permit images of female breasts if they include the nipple(s). Breastfeeding or breasts with postmastectomy scars will be allowed as well as artwork and sculpture that depict nude figures. When we announce this category we will allow time for people to leave the room before displaying the images. From Facebook: We remove photographs of people displaying genitals or focusing in onfully exposed buttocks. We also restrict some images of female breasts if they include the nipple, but we always allow photos of women actively engaged in breastfeeding or showing breasts with post-mastectomy scarring. We also allow photographs of paintings, sculptures, and other art that depicts nude figures. Restrictions on the display of both nudity and sexual activity also apply to digitally created content unless the contentis posted for educational, humorous, or satirical purposes. Explicit images of sexual intercourse are prohibited. Descriptions of sexual acts that go into vivid detail may also be removed.
DOMAIN THREE -Creative
Creative Categories
Abstract (AB):
Images extracted from a larger reality or subject. An abstract image is, usually, independent of pictorial references and reduced to form, colour, tones, texture and line.
Creative Edit (CE):
An artistic and creative interpretation of the maker’s original photographic image through post processing, manipulation and enhancement, e.g. compositing, transformation, creative filters, artistic brushes, edge effects, etc.
In Camera Effects (IC):
images created by altering the photographic process, in camera, e.g. combining multiple exposures, motion effects, sandwich effects (Orton,) filters, etc. If these effects are simulated, out of camera, with post processing software, then the creative edit category should be used instead.
DOMAIN FOUR -Open
Open Categories
Monochrome (MC):
Any image which is rendered in one colour and white.
Open (OP):
Any original photographic image.
DOMAIN FIVE -Artistic
Artistic Category
Artistic (AA):
Images that allow the maker complete freedom from any restrictions to create photographic works of art. No restrictions on edits. Images may include elements or components from any source and that do not have to be created by the maker. Scoring counts for club but images may not be eligible for outside competition.