Month

Subject

Definition

February

Scapes

An image featuring an expansive view without any humans dominating the scene. Urban, Rural, Sea, Sky Scapes and traditional Landscapes are all included in this category.

March

Silhouettes

An image where the featured subject(s) is considerably darker than the background. The subject silhouette/s consists of a single colour and is devoid of nearly all detail i.e. it is not quite solid black but is very close. The background may be multi-coloured or monochrome. The subject silhouette should dominate the image.

April

Climate change

Climate change is a long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth's local, regional, and global climates. These changes have a broad range of observed effects that are synonymous with the term “climate change”.

Images which show the negative or most disturbing impact of climate change are acceptable. Examples include images of: extreme weather, droughts, temperature records, ice-free Arctic summers, rising seas, melting glaciers, coastal erosion, storm surges, forest fires, ruined crops, food riots, dried riverbeds, forced migration and climate refugees etc.

Images which show positive impact or the silver lining of climate change are also acceptable. Positive impact images could celebrate the many opportunities (economic, environmental and health) which arise from transitioning to a clean energy economy or from proactively and sustainably managing climate change.

Creative photography such as composites and use of photo-manipulation techniques are accepted in this category as long as the ‘climate change’ subject is clearly evident in the image.

May

Negative space

Negative spaceis the area surrounding the subjectof the image. It defines and emphasises the main subject of the photo. Positive space is the subject itself. Negative space provides ‘breathing room’ in the image and should complement and enhance the subject by preventing the image from appearing too cluttered. The left-hand image below shows good use of negative space.

June

NatureWildlife

Images of flora and fauna (or parts thereof) in its natural environment. Includes all aspects of the physical world, both animate and inanimate, that have notbeen made or modified by humans.

Not allowed

1.Photographs of human-created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domesticated animals, human-created hybrid animals and mounted or preserved zoological specimens.

2.Controlling live subjects by chilling, anaesthetic or any other method of restricting natural movement for thepurpose of a photograph.

3.Changes to the truth of a nature image. Images may be cropped but no othertechnique that removes, adds or moves any part of the image is allowed.

4.Partial conversion, toning andinfrared captures or conversions are not allowed.

5.Adding a vignette or blurring the background during processing.

Allowed

1.Techniques that remove elements added by the camera, such as dust spots, digital noise and lens flare.

2.Complete conversion of colour images to greyscale monochrome.

3.Images of the same subject that are combined in-camera or with software by focus stacking or exposureblending.

4.Multiple images with overlapping fields of view that are taken consecutively and combined in-camera or with software (image stitching).

5.Images taken with subjects under controlled conditions, such as zoos.

Wildlife photography - In addition to the restrictions on Nature photography, Wildlife 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.

July

People - Emotions

Emotions are psychological statesassociated with thoughts, feelings, behavioural responses, and a degree ofpleasureordispleasure. It often conveys a strong feeling deriving from one's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others. Basic emotions include happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise and disgust. Others may include pride, shame, embarrassment or excitement. This may be expressed in the form of a portrait or an image of two or more people. Image makers are encouraged to explore techniques which help articulate mood or emotions (for example low key for depression).

August

Wrinkles

Creases, folds or ridges in the skin of humans and animals, fruits and vegetables, as well as in inanimate objects such as fabric and paper.

September

Creative/Experimental

Presentation of a subject in a pleasing manner in which it is not normally observed by the human eye. Includes in-camera-movement, double exposure, use of bokeh or any computer-based creative techniques or filters. Composite images are allowed. The image should showcase your creativity.

October

Circles or Curves in nature or the built environment

A photo featuring Circles or Curves in architectural, man-made objects, or in nature but not human curves. The image may contain either or both circles and curves. Circles and/or curves must be the main focus of the image.