Sizing

• Images MUST be sized to give an image width that does not exceed 1024 pixels with a height of no more than 768 pixels.
• Please submit high quality JPEG (use a quality setting of 90% or better), preferably in the sRGB colour space.

Naming

• Photos MUST be named according to the following convention:
  Name of Photographer-image entry number-Title of Image.jpg. For example: JohnSmith-1-Sunset.jpg or JohnSmith-2-Duck.jpg
• Image title must be a maximum of 4 words
• For submissions in the Nature category, the title of the photograph must identify the subject by its common name. Do not use titles such as “little green plant” or “Jolly Green Giant”. “Bald Eagle” is better than “Eagle” which is better than “Bird in Tree”.
• Photo titles are not read before judging and therefore should not effect scores.

Miscellaneous Information

• The original image should have been captured within 24 months of the CAPA competition closing date.
• You cannot resubmit photos in more than one competition (that includes individual vs club entries).
• You cannot enter photos in a competition that is being judged by your camera club (unless the judges are not members of the club itself).

Rules For Individual CAPA Categories

Nature Competition

Nature photography depicts living, untamed animals and uncultivated plants in a natural habitat, geology and the wide diversity of natural phenomena, from insects to icebergs.

Photographs of animals which are domesticated, caged or under any form of restraint, as well as photographs of cultivated plants are ineligible. Minimal evidence of humans is acceptable for nature subjects, such as barn owls or storks, adapting to an environment modified by humans, or natural forces, like hurricanes or tidal waves, reclaiming it.

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. If at all possible, these must 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.

Any manipulation or modification to the original image is limited to minor retouching of blemishes and must not alter the content of the original scene. No composites. HDR techniques are acceptable as long as the result is what the eye naturally sees.

Botany includes images that portray uncultivated plant life such as trees, flowering and non-flowering plants, ferns, algae, fungi, etc. in their natural habitat. Photographs of domestic plants, artificially produced hybrid plants, flower arrangements etc are ineligible. Entrants are required to identify their botany images on the entry form for Botany award consideration: place a “B” on the right side of the entry number to indicate the image is a Botany entry. e.g. John Smith 1B Yellow wildflower.

Open Competition

A variety of subject matter is accepted. The photographer can make enhancements in the camera (zooms, pans, multiple exposures, blurs, cropping) with modifications/enhancements using a digital imaging software program e.g., Photoshop, to improve the overall presentation of the original captured image e.g., improved contrast/tonality, enhanced colour. Techniques that dramatically change the presentation of the original captured image must be entered in the “Altered Reality” Competition.

Theme Competition

The above definition for Open Competitions regarding image editing also relates to the Theme competition. Submit images as close to this theme subject as possible. Images which do not illustrate the theme could be disqualified by the Host Club who will consult with the appropriate Chair to make the final decision.

Altered Reality Competition

Images must be heavily manipulated and obviously creatively enhanced including composites, creative filters etc. These images are not meant to look like a regular photograph.