Competitions & Rules
1. Membership & Eligibility
Originality: All entries must be the original work of the member. This includes all elements of a composite image.
AI Policy: Images must be originated by a photographic process. The use of AI generated content (where the source is not the photographer’s own work) is strictly prohibited (PAGB Guidance ‘Artificial Intelligence’ in Photography October 2023).
Copyright: The photographer must hold the full copyright for all elements within the image.
2. Competition Structure
Themes: Subjects for the competitions to be held in the ensuing year are selected by the competition sub-committee from suggestions forwarded by Members and the final choice is made by the Committee.
Groups: Members compete in either Intermediate or Advanced categories. Points are awarded separately for each group.
Promotion: Members may move to the Advanced group at any time. Moving to the Intermediate group requires Committee approval.
New members, or existing club members, can join either group by notifying the Competition Secretary.
Existing Intermediate members can join the Advanced Group by notifying the Competition Secretary at any time.
Existing Advanced members who wish to join the Intermediate Group must apply to the Competition Secretary giving suitable reasons for their proposed change in status. This will then be put before the Committee for consideration.
3. Image Eligibility
Date of Capture: There is no upper age limit on when an image was captured. A photograph from any year is eligible, provided it does not conflict with the "First Place" rule.
The "First Place" Rule: An image (including monochrome/colour versions or near identical crops) may only be entered into one internal monthly club competition. An image which achieves a “First Place”and is there after deemed "retired" from monthly league play.
AI Policy: We do not permit AI-generated imagery. If you suspect an image has used generative AI (adding non-original elements), please flag it to the Competition Secretary rather than disqualifying it publicly.
4. Submission Specifications
The Society uses a web based portal system, called Pixoroo ( https://pixoroo.com/ public/home). All members will receive an invitation to use this system, and once confirmed in “Good Standing” through payment of the annual subscription, will be authorised to access and use its facilities.
Closing date is set a week before the judging date for PDI and 2 weeks for prints, The system hosts PDI and will apply the following criteria-
Projected Digital Images (PDI)
Format: JPEG (.jpg) in sRGB colour space.
Dimensions: Maximum 1600 pixels wide by 1200 pixels high.
Naming: Please only enter the Image Title. Other information is managed by the clubs web portal system.
Entry Numbers: Unless otherwise stated, You can enter up to 3 PDI, which must be uploaded by the "Hand In Night”, typically 1 week before judging night.
Prints
Mounting: All prints must be mounted on 50cm x 40cm boards.
Labelling: The back of the mount must display only the Title. Write it clearly in the middle at the top. The front must be free of all identifiers.
Entry Numbers: You can enter up to 3 prints, which must be handed to the competition secretary by the "Hand In Night”.
Digital Copy: Entrants are required to provide a PDI copy of each submitted print, uploaded to the Society’s web portal
For practical reasons both Prints and PDI should be submitted by the deadline which will be 2 weeks before judging.
Whereas every care will be taken of competition material submitted, neither the Club nor its Officers can be held responsible for any damage to the material as this could have occurred anywhere.
5. Judging & Awards
Entries are judged in two distinct groups. Judges are asked to provide constructive, encouraging feedback that help entrants improve their skills for both, but note the experience levels:
Intermediate: Focus on fundamental techniques (composition, exposure, basic post-processing).
Advanced: Expect high technical proficiency and creative storytelling.
We usually complete Intermediates first including the awards, before moving to the Advanced.
Scoring:
The Society use a points-based league system. While the number of awards is at the Judges discretion, the Committee have agreed that total awards (Places + HC + C) should not exceed approx. 20% of the entries in each group.
Images are scored out of 20 points.
18–20: Exceptional technique, impact, and "wow" factor.
16–17: Very strong image with minor technical or compositional flaws.
13–15: Competent work; good effort but needs improvement in specific area
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place scores are unique to clearly identify the top three.
To keep the league competitive but fair, Judges are asked to use the following table as a quick reference for the 20% guidance during the "Holding" process:
League Points: Scores accumulate throughout the season to determine the "Photographer of the Year" in both categories.
6. Subject-Specific Rules
Nature: We follow the "Truth to Nature" principle. No domestic animals or cultivated
plants in Pure Nature categories. Minimal cloning allowed (sensor spots/distracting edges only).
Monochrome: Strictly black and white or single-toned (e.g., Sepia). Spot-colour (partial colour) must be judged as a Colour entry.
Others- as defined on the LLPS competition web page
7. Archiving
Unless the Author objects, it is assumed all entries to Society (LLPS) competitions (internal, Battles, Inter-Club, Fun nights etc.) will be retained in an archive. This archive allows images from members in “Good Standing” to be used for external “Battles” or competitions.
Authors retain Copyright and may withdraw permission and request deletion of their images from this archive at any time.
