There’s another competition coming up that we’d like to enter on behalf of KCPS.  This is the Trenna Packer Nature Competition, run by the Nature Photography Society of NZ (based in Christchurch).

We need six images.  No more than two images can come from an individual KCPS member.  The rules in detail are available as a pdf but the key points are:

  • The subject matter must be nature as defined by the PSNZ definition (see below), which excludes cultivated plants, domestic animals and confined animals
  • The subject matter is restricted to New Zealand and its offshore islands.
  • Each entry is judged as a ‘set’ not as individual images (so there is no point in having six fantastic images just of birds)
  • Digital images should be saved as jpeg, sRGB colour space, with 1400 pixels on the horizontal for landscape and 1050 on the vertical side for portrait and at a file size between 400Kb and 1Mb
  • Entries are due by 15 June 2012.

Carol Molineux has kindly agreed to coordinate our KCPS entry for this competition.  We’re asking members to submit up to five images for consideration by a group which will be convened by Carol.

Please use this online form to submit your images by 15 May 2012. Remember that we need a diverse set of images to choose from.

We look forward to receiving and considering your submissions. Here, by way of example of what we need to strive for, is the winning set in 2011 from the Christchurch Photographic Society:

PSNZ Definition and Guidelines for Nature 2012

Nature:
Nature Photography depicts living untamed animals, uncultivated plants in a natural habitat, geology and the wide diversity of natural phenomena. Images of animals that are domesticated, caged or under any form of restraint, as well as cultivated plants, are ineligible.

The subject must be in its natural environment. Photographs of animals and birds living freely within conservation or nature reserves are also acceptable. Naturalised subjects are allowable, providing they are photographed under natural, not domestic conditions.

Examples of naturalised subjects are deer, black swan, monarch butterfly, briar (not cultivated) roses.

Minimal evidence of human influence is acceptable for some nature subjects where they have adapted to an environment modified by humans. Some examples are welcome swallows, shags and harrier hawks. The presence of scientific bands on wild animals is acceptable.

The accurate record of the subject and the natural environment are the prime factors. All images must maintain a faithful representation of a natural form, behaviour or phenomenon as captured in the original image.

No elements within the original image may be moved, cloned, introduced, deleted, rearranged or combined. No artificial, false or substitute backgrounds are to be used. Any manipulation or modification to the original image is limited to minor retouching of blemishes and must not alter the content of the original scene.

Resizing, cropping, selective lightening or darkening and restoration of the original colour of the scene are also acceptable. Digital techniques that extend the capability of the camera may be used as long as they honestly and accurately represent the original nature story or event at the time of capture.

Images in New Zealand Nature must have been taken in the natural environment of New Zealand or its offshore islands.

For all Nature images, scientific or common names must be included in the titles.

These specific changes should be noted:
1. Previous requirements for Natural History are now included in the Nature Guidelines.
2. Titles must include the scientific or common name (including Maori) of the subject. Interpretive or descriptive names alone are not sufficient.
3. The use of artificial or substitute backgrounds is now excluded.
4. Photography within nature reserves is allowable as long as the subjects are not confined within a cage, pen or kept in an artificial environment.