Serbia PHOTO » 3rd Avala Themes

3rd Avala Themes

Themes
  1. Nature (Color or Monochrome) PSA ND
  2. Photojournalism (Color or Monochrome) PSA PJD
  3. Photo Travel (Color or Monochrome) PSA PTD
  4. Portrait (Only Color) PSA PIDC
  5. Woman (Only Color) PSA PIDC
  6. Experiment & Still Life (Only Color) PSA PIDC
  7. Sport (Color or Monochrome) PSA PJD
  8. Open Color (Only Color) PSA PIDC
  9. Open Monochrome (Only Monochrome) PSA PIDM
PSA Monochrome Definition

An image is considered to be Monochrome only if it gives the impression of having no color (i.e. contains only shades of grey which can include pure black and pure white) OR it gives the impression of being a greyscale image that has been toned in one color across the entire image. (For example by Sepia, red, gold, etc.)  A greyscale or multi-colored image modified or giving the impression of having been modified by partial toning, multi-toning or by the inclusion of spot coloring does not meet the definition of monochrome and shall be classified as a Color Work.

Greyscale Monochrome images may be entered for Nature, Photojournalism and Photo Travel but toned images are not permitted for these sections.

Monochrome images may not be entered in Pictorial Prints or PID Color Sections.  Separate sections must be offered for Color Pictorial Prints, Monochrome Pictorial Prints, PIDC and PIDM.

Editing Guidelines for Nature, Photojournalism and Photo Travel

These sections require images to be truthful records, so there are limits on the amount of manipulation allowed.

Editing Guidelines

Processing or editing must be limited to making the image look as close to the original scene as possible, except that conversion to grayscale monochrome is allowed. 

Allowed editing techniques:

  • Cropping, straightening and perspective correction.
  • Removal or correction of elements added by the camera or lens, such as dust spots, noise, chromatic aberration and lens distortion.
  • Global and selective adjustments such as brightness, hue, saturation and contrast to restore the appearance of the original scene.
  • Complete conversion of color images to grayscale monochrome.
  • Blending of multiple images of the same subject and combining them in camera or with software (exposure blending or focus stacking);
  • Image stitching – combining multiple images with overlapping fields of view that are taken consecutively (panoramas);

Editing techniques that are not allowed:

  • Removing, adding to, moving or changing any part of an image, except for cropping and straightening.
  • Adding a vignette during processing.
  • Blurring parts of the image during processing to hide elements in the original scene.
  • Darkening parts of the image during processing to hide elements in the original scene.
  • All conversions other than to complete grayscale monochrome.
  • Conversion of parts of an image to monochrome, or partial toning, desaturation or over-saturation of color

For the purpose of this exhibition any border added to a digital file must be a single border of black or white, no greater than 3-5 pixels in width.

PSA Nature Definition 

Content Guidelines

  • 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.
  • 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, anaesthetic or any other method of restricting natural movement for the purpose of a photograph is not allowed.

Attention is drawn to the PSA Statement on Subject Matter which applies to all sections and to the Editing Guidelines for Nature, Photojournalism and Photo Travel

For the purpose of this exhibition any border added to a digital file must be a single border of black or white, no greater than 3-5 pixels in width.

Photo Travel Definition

A Photo Travel image is a portrayal of the real world we live in, as it is found naturally. There are no geographic limitations.

Content guidance:

  • If the image is predominantly or exclusively a land-, sea- or cityscape, these “scapes” must include characteristic, distinctive and recognizable physical features, although it is not necessary that the image identify the exact location;
  • Images that predominantly or exclusively depict people and their activities must illustrate a distinctive culture of a country, region, or continent;
  • Images that predominately or exclusively depict animal populations are allowed, if the animals are in their native environment and are characteristic of that country, region, or continent;
  • Portraits or other close-ups of people or objects, in addition to meeting the above paragraphs as applicable, must include elements depicting some of the surrounding environment to make it obvious that the image was not taken in a studio setting;
  • Images from events or activities arranged for photography, or of subjects directed or hired for photography, are NOT allowed.
  • Time exposures are allowed, if they do not dominate the image as a special effect (star trails, for example, are a dominating effect).
  • Highly distorted images such as those produced by fish eye lenses are NOT allowed.
  • Attention is drawn to the PSA Statement on Subject Matter which applies to all sections and to the Editing Guidelines for Nature, Photojournalism and Photo Travel

For the purpose of this exhibition any border added to a digital file must be a single border of black or white, no greater than 3-5 pixels in width.

PSA Photojournalism Definition

Photojournalism entries are images with informative content and emotional impact, reflecting the human presence in our world.

  • The journalistic (story-telling) value of the image should receive priority over pictorial quality.
  • Images that misrepresent the truth, such as those from events or activities arranged specifically for photography, or of subjects directed or hired for photography, are not eligible.
  • A number of images (typically 2-4), each with a small white border, may be combined into a single image that depicts a progression of events or related activity.

Attention is drawn to the PSA Statement on Subject Matter which applies to all sections and to the Editing Guidelines for Nature, Photojournalism and Photo Travel

For the purpose of this exhibition any border added to a digital file must be a single border of black or white, no greater than 3-5 pixels in width.

Sport Photography PSA PJD

entries into Sport must abide by the PJD definition

Portrait Photography Definition PSA PIDC

A photograph of a person or persons that may range from a head study to full body length. This section includes candid photographs and formal portraits.

Captures the personality or essence of a subject. Not just a picture with a person in it. A “clinical” portrait might not attempt to reveal the soul of a person, but it still needs to capture something of that person’s uniqueness — or else it’s not a portrait.

Is staged. While portraits can be candid, even those tend to have some intentionality. The lighting, backdrops, and poses are important, even if they are ad hoc. (Or maybe especially when they are.)

Is commissioned. While this isn’t necessary in a literal sense, in a larger sense portrait photographs are made for the purpose. Someone — the subject, or the artist, or some organization — wants a portrayal of a certain person (or group of people). Even a street portrait of a stranger can fit, based on the photographer’s intention.

By the very existence of the term “group portrait”, clearly such a thing exists. One can also say “individual portrait”, but generally the implication of the term alone is that a single person is portrayed. However, if there are multiple subjects — the grandmother and granddaughter, for example — the picture isn’t automatically a portrait without some of the above.

Woman (Only color images are allowed in this section PSA PIDC)

Show us women in all situations, such as daily life, street photography, traditions, portrait, people at work, social events, human relations and etc. The main subject in the photo must be one or more women. Fine art nude woman photography is a genre of fine-art photography that depicts the nude woman’s body with an emphasis on form, composition, emotional content, and other aesthetic qualities. The nude has been a prominent photography subject since its invention, and it played an important role in establishing photography as a fine art medium. The distinction between fine art photography and other subgenres is not absolute, but there are certain defining characteristics.

Experiment Photography Definition (Only color images are allowed in this section PSA PIDC)

The PSA definition of Experiment (Creative) is “Altered Reality.” The image must obviously display a change in natural color, form, shape, or any combination of these three. Creative images are often montages (a blending or composite of multiple images). High Dynamic Range (HDR) images without further changes are not considered “altered reality.” The original image must be made by the entrant on photographic emulsion or captured digitally. All images must be original and may not incorporate elements produced by anyone else. Original images must be altered by the maker; artwork or computer graphics generated by the entrant may be incorporated, if the original photographic content predominates. Images may not be constructed entirely within a computer. It is necessary that the image’s core content be identifiable. Non-creative images are not eligible for this competition. Any subject matter is acceptable as long as the Altered Reality guidelines are followed.