There are three rounds per year. The LVPC will compete in 2 divisions of PSA competition: Nature and Projected Image Division (PID) Color. We are allowed to submit up to 6 images in each division, for each round. Therefore, the LVPC can submit a maximum 12 images, per round. We are competing in group A, the highest level, in both divisions.
Members are invited to submit up to 3 images for each division for consideration. A selection panel from the club will make the final determination of which images will go on to PSA for judging. The selection process is based on image quality, story, and the photographer's observation of the PSA rules for the division.
Photographers may compete with only ONE club during a competition season. If you are competing with the LVPC you cannot submit images with any other organization.
Congratulations 2022/23 Round 3 Award Winners
PSA Guidelines for Each Division:
PSA Statement on Subject Matter - applicable to all sections
The fundamental rule that must be observed at all times and applies to all divisions is that the welfare of living creatures is more important than any photograph. This means that practices such as baiting of subjects with a living creature and removal of birds from nests, for the purpose of obtaining a photograph, are highly unethical, and such photographs are not allowed with PSA recognition. Under no circumstances may a living creature be placed in a situation where it will be killed, injured or stressed for the purpose of obtaining a photograph. This rule applies regardless of whether or not the creature being killed, injured or stressed is visible in the captured image.
There are also concerns about the use of aerial photography, drones, helicopters, low flying aircraft. These should not cause any interference with other individuals or animals, cause a disturbance in their normal activity, or disrupt the way they interact with their environment. Entrants in PSA must comply with all relevant laws and regulations associated with aerial photography in the country in which the image is taken.
Nature Division:
PSA definition
• Nature photography records all branches of natural history except anthropology and archaeology. This includes all aspects of the physical world, both animate and
inanimate, that have not been made or modified by humans.
• Nature images must convey the truth of the scene that was photographed. A well-informed person should be able to identify the subject of the image and be satisfied that it has been presented honestly and that no unethical practices have been used to control the subject or capture the image. Images that directly or indirectly show any human activity that threatens the life or welfare of a living organism are not allowed.
• The most important part of a Nature image is the nature story it tells. High technical standards are expected and the image must look natural. Adding a vignette or blurring the background during processing is not allowed.
• Objects created by humans, and evidence of human activity, are allowed in Nature images only when they are a necessary part of the Nature story.
• Photographs of human-created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domesticated animals, human-created hybrid animals and mounted or preserved
zoological specimens are not allowed.
• Images taken with subjects under controlled conditions, such as zoos, are allowed.
• Controlling live subjects by chilling, anesthetic or any other method of restricting natural movement for the purpose of a photograph is not allowed.
• No modification that changes the truth of a Nature image is allowed. Images may be cropped but no other technique that removes, adds or moves any part of the image is allowed.
• Techniques that remove elements added by the camera, such as dust spots, digital noise and lens flare are allowed.
• Complete conversion of color images to greyscale monochrome is allowed. Partial conversion, toning and infrared captures or conversions are not allowed.
• Images of the same subject that are combined in-camera or with software by focus stacking or exposure blending are allowed. Multiple images with overlapping fields of
view that are taken consecutively and combined in-camera or with software (image stitching) are allowed (Panoramas).
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
In addition to the restrictions on Nature photography, to be eligible for any Wildlife award images must meet the following conditions:
(a) Zoological organisms must be living free and unrestrained in a natural or adopted habitat of their own choosing.
(b) Images of zoological organisms that have been removed from their natural habitat, are in any form of captivity or are being controlled by humans for the purpose of photography are not allowed.
(c) Botanical organisms may not be removed from their natural environment for the purpose of photography.
(d) Images that have been staged for the purpose of photography are not allowed.
- PSA Guides for Nature Photographers:
PSA Nature Summary Guidelines
Nature Scoring Guide
Projected Image Division (PID):
The subject matter is unrestricted for PID images. All subject matter, photographic techniques, and post processing, including composite creation, are accepted.
- PSA Guides for PID Photographers:
PID Scoring Guide
Submission Process
Members may submit up to three images, per division, per round (12 images max/round). Our club selection committee selects 6 images in each division to represent the club in each round. No more than one image per photographer can be submitted to PSA for each division. Images not selected for a current round will be considered for future rounds. However, once an image is selected and submitted to PSA for scoring it cannot be resubmitted for any future competition in any division. Annual image submissions can be viewed in the website Gallery (see menu at the top of the webpage).
Your images must conform to the following size and naming conventions to be considered.
1. PSA image specs:
Size:
> Landscape Orientation: Maximum size is 1400 pixels wide (not exceeding 1050 pixels high)
> Portrait Orientation: Maximum size is 1050 pixels high (not to exceed 1400 pixels wide)
Color space: sRGB
Image format: JPG
2. Naming convention: LastName_FirstName_ImageTitle.jpg
* Register your participation through the event calendar. You can register for all 4 divisions at once or separately.
* Upload your images to the club's Dropbox folder for the correct competition division. Links for uploading images will be included in your registration confirmation.
Detailed instructions will be provided after you register.
PSA Submission Deadlines for 2023-24
Competition Round 1 - Due November 1, 2023
Competition Round 2 - Due February 1, 2024
Competition Round 3 - Due April 1, 2024