Many photographs may fit into more than one category and it is up to the photographer to choose in which category he/she wishes to compete.
Abstract
The subject matter is secondary. Elements such as line, shape, texture, shadow, color, form and pattern become the primary concern of the photographer.
Animals/Pets
Commercial
A photograph whose purpose is to sell a product or concept.
Creative
Work in which the normal photographic processes have been exaggerated or manipulated by chemistry or other means for the purpose of creating special effects that are not achieved in the normal photographic process, i.e., hand coloring, excessive color shift negative prints, solarizations, reticulations, posterizations, etc. A photographer may choose to enter the creative work in the category that defines the subject, i.e., portraiture.
Documentary
To record without embellishment.
Nature/Wildlife
Nature photography depicts observations from all branches of natural history, except anthropology and archeology, in such a fashion that a well informed person will be able to identify the subject material and to certify as to its honest presentation. The story telling value of a photograph must be weighed more than the pictorial quality. Human elements shall not be present, except on the rare occasion where those human elements enhance the nature story. The presence of scientific bands of wild animals is acceptable. Photographs of artificially produced hybrid plants or animals, mounted specimens, or obviously set arrangements, are ineligible, as is any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement. Wildlife is defined as one or more organisms living free and unrestrained in a natural or adopted habitat.
People
Entries in the “People” category should feature one or more persons where the lighting and subject matter are not necessarily under the control of the photographer. It is intended to be a less formal category than “Portraiture”.
Photojournalism
Depicts a photographic story of an event and its impact, including but not limited to: Hard news, sports, features, personalities, and human interest. The journalistic value of the photograph shall be weighed more than the pictorial quality. In the interest of credibility, photographs which misrepresent the truth, such as manipulation to alter the subject matter, or situations which are set up for the purpose of photography, are unacceptable in Photojournalism competition.
Pictorial
The artistic portrayal of scene(s) and/or person(s) expressed through mood, composition and tone.
Portraiture
Any photograph of a person(s) or animal(s) with the lighting and subject matter under the control of the photographer.
Still Life
An object or a group of objects either man-made or natural, found or arranged, and photographed under natural or enhanced lighting.
Unclassified
Club Challenge
Scoring and placement will be based on how well the photograph expresses the theme of the club challenge while using quality photographic guidelines. There is no distinction between color and monochrome in the club challenge category.