To provide members a monthly topic that will encourage creativity and provide an opportunity for discussion of the technical and creative aspects of their photography. The purpose of the MPC is to promote growth and sharing, not to determine a "best" photo.
2. Topic Scheduling and Selection
A challenge is held seven months of the year. We do not have meetings in July and August. There is usually no assigned topic for December. We do not have a
Monthly Photo Challenge when we hold the PGPS Open Competition in January and the PGPS Nature Competition in June.
A challenge topic is adjudicated at the first member meeting in each of the following months: September, October, November, February, March, April, and May.
A new topic is announced following the adjudication process. The new topic will be adjudicated at the first member meeting of the next month with a challenge.
For example, the topic announced in November will be adjudicated in February.
Challenges are planned by the Executive with input from the membership.
Members are encouraged to contribute ideas for new topics for challenges to the Executive at any time.
Variety is the spice of life. From time to time, the Executive may decide to make a temporary exception to the rules stated here. For example, we might wish to
critique prints instead of digital images; we might allow photos taken previously to be used; etc.
3. Photos Eligible for Submission
A photo must have been taken during the challenge period which begins when the topic is announced and ends at the submission deadline. Older photos should not be used unless the topic specifically allows for their use.
Members are encouraged to interpret the topic in unusual and creative ways. Be ready to explain how your interpretation is relevant to the current month's topic!
All components of the submitted photo must be the original work of the photographer. The photo must not contain elements created or captured by someone else. Examples include the combination of two or more layers into a composited image and the use of texture layers. Texture layers created by the photographer are acceptable. Texture layers built into editing software or purchased separately are not acceptable.
All of the image components mentioned in point 3 must be captured during the period of the challenge with these exceptions:
Textures previously created by a member may be used so long as the texture is not a substantial emphasis within the resulting image.
The time limitation does not apply to photos submitted to the club's Open Competition.
We rely on members to honour these rules. However, the challenge manager may request confirmation that a photo meets these requirements.
Only members in good standing are allowed to participate in the challenge.
4. Submission of Photos
Each member may submit one photo for the challenge.
Image files should be emailed to the challenge organizer by the stated deadline ‐ usually the Sunday evening prior to meeting that will view the photos.
When submitting a photo, members should ensure that the photo's title is clearly indicated and that they include their name in the email.
No personal identification text, such as a signature, watermark or copyright notice, is allowed on the image.
Image files should be jpgs profiled to sRGB. They should be sized to fit a 1400 pixel x 1050 pixel window - ie. no wider than 1400 pixels and no taller than 1050 pixels. This is an aspect ratio of 4 x 3. An image with a different aspect ratio should be sized to one of those two maximum dimensions. For example, an image that is 3 x 2 will be 1400 pixels by 933 pixels and an image that is 1 x 1 will be 1050 pixels x 1050 pixels.
5. Adjudication
The purpose of the selection procedure is to determine which photo will be displayed on the club's web site.
Photos will be discussed prior to selection. Note that this is NOT the standard procedure for photo contests.
Three photos will be selected by ballot as follows:
Ballot slips will be issued to all present at the meeting.
Each voter will write down their three choices on the ballot using the number assigned to the photo.
Each voter will hand in their ballot slip.
The votes will be tallied to determine the three photos which have received the most votes.
The photo receiving the greatest number of votes will represent the club on our website.
If there is a two-way or multi-way tie, the tie may be resolved by a show of hands. The meeting may also decide to display two tied photos.
6. Displaying the Selected Photo
The chosen photo will be added to the Monthly Challenge gallery on the club's website. In addition, a thumbnail link to the winning photo will be displayed on
the website's home page. The thumbnail will remain as such until the next challenge is completed and a new photo is chosen.
The photographer is required to provide a title for their photo. The photographer may also provide technical details to be posted on the web site. For example,
aperture, shutter speed, focal length, camera make and model, date, location.
This page was reviewed and updated in February 2021. The old page is here.
