Hi I am Emma Vann, the Internal Competition secretary.

If you have any questions then please email me This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it but a lot of what you need to know will be covered in this page:

Digital Competitions

Preparation: before you can enter you first need to prepare your pictures for projection. Files will be projected at 1400 pixels wide and 1050 pixels high and submitted files should be this size. This is for both landscape and portrait pictures.

Here is one way you can prepare your pictures using Photoshop.

1. Open your picture, making sure the background layer should is locked.
2. Then go to Image>image size… in the Image size dialogue box, tick the resample box and constrain proportions boxes. If you have a landscape picture then you need to set the width to 1400 pixels if you have a portrait picture then you need to set the height to 1050 pixels.
3. In the Pixel Dimension boxes type the relevant new size for your picture the other dimension will change to suit, just check that this is smaller than 1050 for the height for a landscape image and 1400 for the width of a portrait image. If it is not, then you need to change this dimension so it is. This will alter the first dimension set, but this does not matter.
4. Now one of the dimensions will probably be smaller than the projected dimensions. Use IMAGE>Canvas Size. In the dialog box change the dimensions to pixels, one will of course be correct so you need to type the correct number in the other box.
5. OK and the image will resize and fill the extended canvas with black, if it has not then undo, set your background colour to black and repeat change canvas size.
6. Before saving set the colour space to sRGB use Edit>Convert to Profile... and select sRGB IEC61966-2.1 from the drop down menu. You might have to make some adjustment to correct your image.
7. Your files can be saved as jpeg or tiff, but must have the file name format as below. This is to allow us to use the competition viewing software PhotoCompManager. If you are saving as jpeg then set the quality to maximum from the drop down menu or Quality number 12. This will stop any unwanted file compression.
8. File names must have the file name format as below (see examples below):

Exp(or Nov)#members name#A(orBorC)title

If you want to compete in the A Division put Exp (for experienced) and if you want to compete in the B Division put Nov (for novice- apologies for this, it is what the software requires, it does not reflect what we think of the members competing in the B Division).
# replaces spaces in the filename and allows the program to decode the file name. A or B or C in the title represents the order you want the images to be shown in, with C being shown third and the one that will just be scored on evenings when the entry is large. It doesn't matter about upper case/lower case, whatever you use the program can decode as long as the elements in the file name are in the right order, and separated by #s. It doesn't matter if random spaces are deliberately or inadvertently introduced.

e.g.

Exp#steve field#A Snowy Post no. 312

Exp#steve field#B Snowy Mountain no. 210

Exp#steve field#C Snowy Tree no. 167

For the Take 5 competition We would like the titles as follows.

A/B/C/D/E#your name#title

e.g.

A#steve field#snowy peak

B#steve field#icy post

C#steve field#lanscape with snow

D#steve field#tree

E#steve field#another tree

Please, no spaces immediately before or after the # symbols. Spaces here,will throw the order in the slide show out and mess up the scoring!

If we can all consistently use this formatting system, the competitions will flow more smoothly and you will get score feedback, running totals and league positions on the website almost immediately after each comp. I hope you agree that the extra effort is worth it.

Apple Mac users who have no # key on their keyboard, can find it under Edit> Special characters.

I would suggest you use tiff file format for saving your files as this will not degrade your images.

Submitting

Images must be submitted at least one week before the evening of the competiton.

You can submit on CD or USB memory stick and or by email, although please advise James beforehand if you want to do this.We will have the laptop available for you to submit your entries at most meetings and I we are happy to take entries at any time before the competition closing date.

For technical and practical reasons it will NOT be possible to take entries for competitions on the evening of the competition.

Click on image to open the full test image to Down load.

Please email your file names to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Print Competitions

To enter a print you will need to mount it on board. Most people use a 40x50cm board regardless of their print size – it does help to make the picture look more impressive. Whilst this is the maximum size board you can use a smaller board, if you prefer. Board can be purchased pre-cut or in A1 size from art supplies shops or Office World. A1 will provide at least two competition boards.

Colour choice is of course yours, although white is the most popular as it is neutral and helps display the print regardless of its colour range. Black or grey boards are also used, but heavily coloured boards are best avoided unless you are confident it will help your presentation.

To mount the picture directly on the board you can use spray adhesive or double sided tape (available from WH Smith; office suppliers etc). Most people cut an aperture in the board using a mat cutter, which gives a professional beveled edge. These range in price, up to top quality cutters by Logan, which cost £50+ although they are worth the price if you plan to enter competitions regularly. Mat cutters can be bought from art supplies shops, whilst masking tape to hold the picture in place can be obtained from DIY stores.

Finally your print should have your name and title on the back; if it is not obvious also indicate which way up the picture should be viewed with and arrow or ‘top’ written on the back.

Please remember if we have too many entries then print 3 will be withdrawn.

Please email your Print Titles and indicate Print 3, to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Slide Competitions

To enter a 35mm slide in competition you will need to place a coloured spot (available from WH Smith; office suppliers etc) on the bottom left hand corner of your slide, as you view it the right way around (see below). You also need to write your name and title on the slide. Pens that write directly on plastic can also be bought form WH Smith, office suppliers etc.

It is advisable, but not essential to place your slide in a glass mount. This will ensure the slide is held flat for better projection and will also protect it from damage. GePe glass slide mounts can be purchased from photo stores.

If you wish to mask an area of your slide (usually to eliminate some unwanted part of the picture from being viewed) GePe also make a range of glass mounts with pre-determined masks to reduce the width or height of the viewed area. An alternative method is to use kitchen foil. Cut a strip the to the required length then fold it over – this will produce a clean, straight edge. Open your slide mount and mask your picture by holding the foil in place with sellotape, before closing your mount again. Please note some manufacturers (thin) mounts will break or not reseal when opened, so you may need to buy GePe mounts.