2026 Definitions
COMPETITION DEFINITIONS
Preamble to Definitions
In ALL categories, the photographer MUST have exposed or created all elements of the final image. Judges are looking for good composition, creativity and clear photographs.
OPEN / Colour
Subject matter is free, as is use of colour, or partial colour. Experimental techniques are fine as this category is not genre specific. Good design, composition and the personal interpretation is the key.
"or lack of colour" removed 13/2/26
OPEN / Mono
Identical to Open Colour except ALL images must be either Black and White which means it contains variations of the grey ranging from absolute black to absolute white, OR it can be Tinted. (eg: sepia) but the Tint must be monochrome. E.g. A photograph or picture executed in varying tones of only one colour. Please watch your colouring if other than Black and white.
Hint: Best is to make it B&W and then add the single colour tone. If B&W, aim to have really white whites and black blacks somewhere in your image to avoid it looking muddy grey.
RUST
Rust refers to photographing the visible oxidation and deterioration of metal, where corrosion creates distinctive colour, texture, and pattern that become the primary visual subject. In photography, it represents decay, age, texture, and transformation, offering rich surfaces, colours, and patterns that are often overlooked in everyday scenes. Colour or Mono.
BACK LIGHTING
Back lighting occurs when the main light source comes from behind the subject, facing toward the camera. Instead of illuminating surface detail, it emphasises shape, outline, atmosphere, and translucency. Colour or Mono.
AUSTRALIANA: Australiana is anything pertaining to Australian culture, society, geography and ecology, especially if it is endemic to Australia or has reached iconic status. It includes people, places, flora, fauna and events of Australian origins. (Colour or Mono). It must be photographed in Australia or if not, substantially indicate Australian Culture (e.g.: Anzac Day at Gallipoli).
ANIMAL TRACKS & TRACES
Animal tracks and traces are the physical signs animals leave behind—footprints, paths, feathers, fur, droppings, nests, scratch marks, or disturbed ground. Rather than photographing the animal itself, the image focuses on presence, movement, and story. Colour or Mono. Replaced by Australiana (27/2/2026)
AUSTRALIAN LANDSCAPES/SEASCAPES/CITYSCAPES
Australian landscapes and seascapes & cityscapes focus on the natural and lightly shaped environments of the continent—coastlines, deserts, rivers, ranges, wetlands, and bush—emphasising scale, isolation, light, and geological age rather than human structures. Cityscapes are NOW accepted. Composite images will not be accepted (eg: Sky replacements). Colour or Mono. Note all scapes must be Australian. (Updated 27/2/2026)
ABSTRACT REFLECTIONS
Abstract reflections use mirrored surfaces—most commonly water, glass, or polished materials—to distort reality, transforming recognisable subjects into shapes, colours, and patterns rather than literal representations. Colour or Mono.
LEADING LINES
Leading lines are visual pathways—real or implied—that guide the viewer’s eye through an image toward a subject, edge, or point of interest. They are a foundational compositional tool that helps create depth, movement, and visual flow. Note that curves, zig zags, converging, radiating, disappearing or straight can all be leading lines. Colour or Mono.
DOORWAYS OF THE WORLD
Doorways are thresholds—physical and symbolic points of transition between spaces, cultures, and moments in time. Photographing doorways around the world explores identity, history, craft, and human presence without needing to show people. Doors, Gates and Portals from anywhere are acceptable Door. Colour or Mono.
RAINY DAYS OR RAINDROPS ON SURFACES
Rainy Days / Raindrops on Surfaces refers to photographing the visible effects of rainfall—drops, streaks, splashes, wet textures, and reflections, where rain alters how surfaces interact with light, colour, and form. Colour or Mono.
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Tools of the Trade refers to photographing the implements, instruments, or equipment used to practise a skill, craft, or profession, with the image conveying function, wear, purpose, or the human activity they represent. Colour or Mono.
ABOVE EYE LEVEL
Above Eye Level refers to images made with the camera positioned higher than a standing adult’s eye line, so the subject is viewed from a downward angle rather than straight on. Colour or Mono.
The defining factor is camera height, not subject height.
The viewpoint must be clearly elevated enough to alter perspective.
The effect is visual and interpretive, not technical.
Preamble to Definitions
In ALL categories, the photographer MUST have exposed or created all elements of the final image. Judges are looking for good composition, creativity and clear photographs.
OPEN / Colour
Subject matter is free, as is use of colour, or partial colour. Experimental techniques are fine as this category is not genre specific. Good design, composition and the personal interpretation is the key.
"or lack of colour" removed 13/2/26
OPEN / Mono
Identical to Open Colour except ALL images must be either Black and White which means it contains variations of the grey ranging from absolute black to absolute white, OR it can be Tinted. (eg: sepia) but the Tint must be monochrome. E.g. A photograph or picture executed in varying tones of only one colour. Please watch your colouring if other than Black and white.
Hint: Best is to make it B&W and then add the single colour tone. If B&W, aim to have really white whites and black blacks somewhere in your image to avoid it looking muddy grey.
RUST
Rust refers to photographing the visible oxidation and deterioration of metal, where corrosion creates distinctive colour, texture, and pattern that become the primary visual subject. In photography, it represents decay, age, texture, and transformation, offering rich surfaces, colours, and patterns that are often overlooked in everyday scenes. Colour or Mono.
BACK LIGHTING
Back lighting occurs when the main light source comes from behind the subject, facing toward the camera. Instead of illuminating surface detail, it emphasises shape, outline, atmosphere, and translucency. Colour or Mono.
AUSTRALIANA: Australiana is anything pertaining to Australian culture, society, geography and ecology, especially if it is endemic to Australia or has reached iconic status. It includes people, places, flora, fauna and events of Australian origins. (Colour or Mono). It must be photographed in Australia or if not, substantially indicate Australian Culture (e.g.: Anzac Day at Gallipoli).
ANIMAL TRACKS & TRACES
Animal tracks and traces are the physical signs animals leave behind—footprints, paths, feathers, fur, droppings, nests, scratch marks, or disturbed ground. Rather than photographing the animal itself, the image focuses on presence, movement, and story. Colour or Mono. Replaced by Australiana (27/2/2026)
AUSTRALIAN LANDSCAPES/SEASCAPES/CITYSCAPES
Australian landscapes and seascapes & cityscapes focus on the natural and lightly shaped environments of the continent—coastlines, deserts, rivers, ranges, wetlands, and bush—emphasising scale, isolation, light, and geological age rather than human structures. Cityscapes are NOW accepted. Composite images will not be accepted (eg: Sky replacements). Colour or Mono. Note all scapes must be Australian. (Updated 27/2/2026)
ABSTRACT REFLECTIONS
Abstract reflections use mirrored surfaces—most commonly water, glass, or polished materials—to distort reality, transforming recognisable subjects into shapes, colours, and patterns rather than literal representations. Colour or Mono.
LEADING LINES
Leading lines are visual pathways—real or implied—that guide the viewer’s eye through an image toward a subject, edge, or point of interest. They are a foundational compositional tool that helps create depth, movement, and visual flow. Note that curves, zig zags, converging, radiating, disappearing or straight can all be leading lines. Colour or Mono.
DOORWAYS OF THE WORLD
Doorways are thresholds—physical and symbolic points of transition between spaces, cultures, and moments in time. Photographing doorways around the world explores identity, history, craft, and human presence without needing to show people. Doors, Gates and Portals from anywhere are acceptable Door. Colour or Mono.
RAINY DAYS OR RAINDROPS ON SURFACES
Rainy Days / Raindrops on Surfaces refers to photographing the visible effects of rainfall—drops, streaks, splashes, wet textures, and reflections, where rain alters how surfaces interact with light, colour, and form. Colour or Mono.
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Tools of the Trade refers to photographing the implements, instruments, or equipment used to practise a skill, craft, or profession, with the image conveying function, wear, purpose, or the human activity they represent. Colour or Mono.
ABOVE EYE LEVEL
Above Eye Level refers to images made with the camera positioned higher than a standing adult’s eye line, so the subject is viewed from a downward angle rather than straight on. Colour or Mono.
The defining factor is camera height, not subject height.
The viewpoint must be clearly elevated enough to alter perspective.
The effect is visual and interpretive, not technical.
2025 Definitions
COMPETITION DEFINITIONS
Preamble to Definitions
In ALL categories, the photographer MUST have exposed or created all elements of the final image. Judges are looking for good composition, creativity and clear photographs.
OPEN / Colour
Subject matter is free, as is use of colour, or lack of colour, or partial colour. Experimental techniques are fine as this category is not genre specific. Good design, composition and the personal interpretation is the key.
OPEN / Mono
Identical to Open Colour except ALL images must be either Black and White which means it contains variations of the grey ranging from absolute black to absolute white, OR it can be Tinted. (eg: sepia) but the Tint must be monochrome. E.g. A photograph or picture executed in varying tones of only one colour.
Hint: Best is to make it B&W and then add the single colour tone. If B&W, aim to have really white whites and black blacks somewhere in your image to avoid it looking muddy grey.
At the Beach: Anything at the beach can be included in your image such as seashells, seaweed, people, dogs, birds, camels, horses, deck chairs, parasols, etc. Photos can be in colour or black and white. However it must be clear to the Judge that the photo was taken at the Beach. (Colour or Mono)
Windmills: Windmills convert the energy from wind by means of sails or blades. They can be any type of Windmill but No wind turbines or garden ornaments, just the old fashioned variety. It would be great to see photos of windmills in the landscape but close-up photos of windmills are also acceptable. People or animals can be included but must not be the focal point of the photo. (Colour or Mono).
Transport: Anything that shows the transportation of people from point A to point B. i.e. planes, trains and automobiles and any other mode of transport such as horses, ships, etc. People do not have to appear in the image, but the photo should imply that they are in the image. We will exclude the medium of transport such as rails, road, water etc just the transportation device. (Colour or Mono)
Australiana: Australiana is anything pertaining to Australian culture, society, geography and ecology, especially if it is endemic to Australia or has reached iconic status. It includes people, places, flora, fauna and events of Australian origins. (Colour or Mono). It must be photographed in Australia or if not, substantially indicate Australian Culture (e.g.: Anzac Day at Gallipoli).
Churches: Include the inside or outside of the church or part of a church. Any people must be incidental and not dominant. The image must clearly show that it is a church, or part thereof. (Colour or Mono)
Night time: Photography done after the sun has set. - Low light, long exposures, cityscapes, light painting - any shots taken in the dark hours of night time. (Colour or Mono).
Movement (updated 6/2/25)
Movement photography is the art of capturing the appearance of movement in a still image. It can be achieved by using shutter speed, camera panning, or long exposure techniques. (Colour or Mono)
Farm Animals: There can be one or more farm animals in the photo but no photos of dead animals. Images can show any farm animals such as horses, cows, chickens, pigs etc, but no pet dogs, cats or hamsters. They can be working animals such as dogs (must be working though) or just hanging out in a pasture or farmyard etc. (Colour or Mono).
People Playing Sport: Can be any type of sport being played at any level from professional to a kick about in the park with friends. The people playing are the focus of the photo. (Colour or Mono).
Macro or Closeup: Macro and Close up photography focuses on making a small object appear larger. It could be any subject but it must fill the frame up close and personal. No animals or insects are to be harmed in taking the photo. (Colour or Mono).
Preamble to Definitions
In ALL categories, the photographer MUST have exposed or created all elements of the final image. Judges are looking for good composition, creativity and clear photographs.
OPEN / Colour
Subject matter is free, as is use of colour, or lack of colour, or partial colour. Experimental techniques are fine as this category is not genre specific. Good design, composition and the personal interpretation is the key.
OPEN / Mono
Identical to Open Colour except ALL images must be either Black and White which means it contains variations of the grey ranging from absolute black to absolute white, OR it can be Tinted. (eg: sepia) but the Tint must be monochrome. E.g. A photograph or picture executed in varying tones of only one colour.
Hint: Best is to make it B&W and then add the single colour tone. If B&W, aim to have really white whites and black blacks somewhere in your image to avoid it looking muddy grey.
At the Beach: Anything at the beach can be included in your image such as seashells, seaweed, people, dogs, birds, camels, horses, deck chairs, parasols, etc. Photos can be in colour or black and white. However it must be clear to the Judge that the photo was taken at the Beach. (Colour or Mono)
Windmills: Windmills convert the energy from wind by means of sails or blades. They can be any type of Windmill but No wind turbines or garden ornaments, just the old fashioned variety. It would be great to see photos of windmills in the landscape but close-up photos of windmills are also acceptable. People or animals can be included but must not be the focal point of the photo. (Colour or Mono).
Transport: Anything that shows the transportation of people from point A to point B. i.e. planes, trains and automobiles and any other mode of transport such as horses, ships, etc. People do not have to appear in the image, but the photo should imply that they are in the image. We will exclude the medium of transport such as rails, road, water etc just the transportation device. (Colour or Mono)
Australiana: Australiana is anything pertaining to Australian culture, society, geography and ecology, especially if it is endemic to Australia or has reached iconic status. It includes people, places, flora, fauna and events of Australian origins. (Colour or Mono). It must be photographed in Australia or if not, substantially indicate Australian Culture (e.g.: Anzac Day at Gallipoli).
Churches: Include the inside or outside of the church or part of a church. Any people must be incidental and not dominant. The image must clearly show that it is a church, or part thereof. (Colour or Mono)
Night time: Photography done after the sun has set. - Low light, long exposures, cityscapes, light painting - any shots taken in the dark hours of night time. (Colour or Mono).
Movement (updated 6/2/25)
Movement photography is the art of capturing the appearance of movement in a still image. It can be achieved by using shutter speed, camera panning, or long exposure techniques. (Colour or Mono)
Farm Animals: There can be one or more farm animals in the photo but no photos of dead animals. Images can show any farm animals such as horses, cows, chickens, pigs etc, but no pet dogs, cats or hamsters. They can be working animals such as dogs (must be working though) or just hanging out in a pasture or farmyard etc. (Colour or Mono).
People Playing Sport: Can be any type of sport being played at any level from professional to a kick about in the park with friends. The people playing are the focus of the photo. (Colour or Mono).
Macro or Closeup: Macro and Close up photography focuses on making a small object appear larger. It could be any subject but it must fill the frame up close and personal. No animals or insects are to be harmed in taking the photo. (Colour or Mono).
|
Updated 6/2/25 August Competition now "Movement"
| ||
2024 Definitions
COMPETITION DEFINITIONS
Preamble to Definitions
In ALL categories, the photographer MUST have exposed or created all elements of the final image. Judges are looking for good composition, creativity and clear photographs.
OPEN / Colour
Subject matter is free, as is use of colour, or lack of colour, or partial colour. Experimental techniques are fine as this category is not genre specific. Good design, composition and the personal interpretation is the key.
OPEN / Mono
Identical to Open except ALL images must be Black and White which means it contains variations of the grey ranging from absolute black to absolute white. No tints, no colour.
Hint: in B&W aim to have really white whites and black blacks somewhere in your image to avoid it looking muddy grey.
Water
Water photography refers to any photo that emphasizes water as the main visual element. Can include landscape photography of the sea, river, stream waterfalls, drops and puddles. The goal of water photography is to capture the way water moves and how it interacts with light.
Still Life
A photograph of an inanimate object or a group of objects arranged as the subject for a picture. It can serve as an exercise in skill and creativity, to show a photographer’s understanding of composition, ability to depict colour harmony, form, texture, and the effects of light upon the objects.
Shadows
Any photo that uses shadows as a prominent part of the composition — to enhance the contrast of a subject or as the subject itself.
Trees
Tree photography is all about capturing the majesty of nature’s beauty. It can include a single tree, part of a tree or a forest. It can be in an urban area or rural but the tree or trees must be the main feature of the image. Bare, fallen logs are not included.
Scapes - Landscapes/Seascapes/Cityscapes
A landscape/seascape is a photograph of natural scenery with land and/or sea and sky based elements displayed in a pictorial fashion. Evidence of man, people or animals may be included but must be incidental to (and not dominate) the image eg. a jetty cannot be the main feature. A close-up view of a single natural feature such as a rock or tree must not be the primary subject but it can be part of the broader landscape. An Urbanscape is a wide image of primary manmade objects including buildings, statutes, bridges, jetties. Trees and plants can be included but cannot be the main focus of the scape. Minor adjustments are acceptable.
Creative
Creative or experimental photographs display a novel effect because of an unusual combination of objects and /or unusual viewpoint. Photographs in which the images have been modified during or after exposure by using an experimental technique. The photograph must always have a basic photographic image. Digital manipulation processes may be employed provided the original photograph is evident.
Empty Roads
Photograph of a road devoid of any object on its surface. (lane lines are acceptable). The road can be in an urban or rural setting but the road must stand out as the main focus with all other parts being secondary.
Nature
Nature photography is restricted to the use of the photographic process. Human elements shall not be present. Scientific tags or radio collars on wild animals are permissible. No techniques that add, relocate, replace, or remove pictorial elements except by cropping are permitted. Techniques that enhance the presentation of the photograph without changing the nature story or the pictorial content, or without altering the content of the original scene, are permitted including HDR, focus stacking and dodging/burning. Techniques that remove elements added by the camera, such as dust spots, digital noise, and film scratches, are allowed. Allowed adjustments must appear natural. Colour images can be converted to grey-scale monochrome. Nature Photography can have landscapes, geologic formations and weather phenomena. Images taken with the subjects in controlled conditions, such as zoos, game farms, botanical gardens, aquariums and any other enclosures are allowed but no hand of man must be present..
Photojournalism
Story-telling photographs such as are seen in the news media and periodicals, which may include documentary, contemporary life, illustrative, sport news or human interest with informative content or emotional impact and photography conducted for art or inquiry featuring chance encounters and random incidents within public places are acceptable. The story telling value of the photograph shall be weighed more than the pictorial quality
Techniques that add to, relocate, replace or remove any element of the original image, except by cropping, are not permitted. Techniques that enhance the presentation of the image, without changing the photojournalism content, are permitted. All adjustments must appear natural. Colour images can be converted to greyscale monochrome