Introduction to N4C Interclub Competitions
Print Competitions have been suspended during the Covid-19 epidemic.
N4C runs monthly photography competitions 11 times a year plus an Annual Competition. Photographic images may be submitted in two photographic mediums: Print and Projected Images. Print and Projected Images are organized into divisions according to subject matter. Local clubs place their members into competition levels based on their skill level. There are separate competitions for each division and level, and images will be judged according to the rules of that division.
N4C member clubs can decide to compete in Projected Images only, Prints only, or both mediums. The top three local club winning images from each level of each division can be entered into the N4C monthly competitions. It gives club members an opportunity for an additional, more ambitious challenge. At N4C, each of the clubs’ images is judged against the winning entries from the other clubs. The results are reported in the monthly N4C newsletter and both Print and Projected Image winners receive award certificates. In addition, winning N4C entries are eligible for awards in the end-of-year competition, and are presented at the annual N4C banquet.
The following information has been condensed from the N4C Competition Rules . This is intended to be a quick reference for new and existing members. While these rules may seem complex at first, the best way to understand them is to come to a meeting at a local member club and see how it all works.
Competition Divisions
Printed Images |
Projected Images |
| Pictorial Monochrome (M) Pictorial Color (P) Nature (N) & Authentic Wildlife Creative (C) Travel (T) Journalism (J) Sequence (S) |
Pictorial (P) Nature (N) & Authentic Wildlife Creative (C) Travel (T) Journalism (J) Monochrome (M) |
Refer to the N4C Competition Rules for further details.
Competition Levels
Within each Competition Division there are levels based on the competitors’ skill level. Typically, when a new member joins at the local club level, they have their photographic work evaluated and then are placed in the appropriate competition level within each division.
There are four Competition Levels that apply to most, but not all, mediums and divisions. They are:
Basic (B) , Intermediate (I), Advanced (A), Masters (M)
Refer to the N4C Competition Rules for specific competition image format/division /levels.
2022 Competition Schedule
Divisions:
|
Levels |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Color |
B, I, A, M | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Monochrome |
B, I, A, M | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Nature |
B, A | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
Creative |
B, A | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
Travel |
B, A | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
Journalism |
B, A | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
Sequence |
✓ | ✓ | ||||||||||
Divisions:
|
Levels |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Pictorial |
B, I, A, M | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Monochrome |
B, I, A, M | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
Nature |
B, I, A, M | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
Creative |
B, I, A, M | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
Travel |
B, I, A, M | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
Journalism |
B, I, A, M | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Competition Judging
Competitions at member clubs and at the N4C monthly interclub judging are critiqued by an impartial outside judge. This enables the photographer to see his work through another’s eyes and hear the judge’s commentary for improving the image. Interclub judges who judge at the N4C level are usually members of other Bay Area camera clubs who have experience and training in judging photography, local photography professionals, or photography instructors.
At the local club level, the judges perform two functions. Their first function is to evaluate and critique images on their technical qualities, visual impact, and compliance with N4C rules, and to award places for the competition. Their second, more meaningful, function is to teach and share their knowledge of photography in an effort to improve the photography of all who attend.
At the N4C level, the judge selects the best images from among all the clubs that are participating. Monthly winners for both Print and Projected Images from first place through honorable mention, and Print of the Month and Projected Image of the Month, receive award certificates.
2022 Interclub Print Competition Schedule
The interclub competitions for printed images are hosted by the member clubs. The following is the schedule for the 2022 competition year, as to which clubs have signed-up for this responsibility.
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Becoming a Judge
N4C maintains a list of approved judges from which clubs typically choose. Local clubs may hire people not on N4C’s list to judge their competitions. Clubs usually do this based upon the person’s photographic knowledge and experience.
There are two ways to get on the list of judges. The first way is to take the judge’s training class when it is offered. The second is to judge one or more local clubs and to have that club or clubs recommend you for inclusion on the list. You will also need to provide a brief biography and a judging philosophy statement, note any restrictions on how far you will travel, and indicate in which divisions you prefer to judge.
Interclub judges are more experienced and effective judges selected by the N4C Board from the judges list based on the recommendation of the Judges Chair.
Judges may avail themselves of continuing education by participating in periodic Judges Conferences organized by N4C.
If you are interested in judging at a local club, please contact the club directly. Information about N4C member clubs can be found on the Camera Clubs page. To get on the list of judges, or for related information, use the Contact Us page to email the Judges Chair.
Sample Biography & Judging Philosophy Statement:
Webster, Ellie
(PR-P-N-T-J-C)
FPSA, FN4C, HN4C
ellie@nodictionary.com
925-555-7777
678 Heaven Court, Bay City, CA 98765Biography
Ellie has been involved with photography-competing, teaching and judging, since 1989. She is a Fellow of the Photographic Society of America and acts as Director of the Travel Aides Service and Director of the nature Divisions Essay Competitions. She is an active member of the PSA Yerba Buena Chapter, the Pacific Chapter of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain, the Northern California Council of Camera Clubs, and the Peninsula Camera Club of San Mateo. She has led groups of photographers to the Far East, the South Pacific, and Great Britain, and has led enthusiastic groups of photographers and adventurers to East Africa for 20 years. She taught the Travel Session in a basic photography course in San Mateo for 26 years. Ellie has had “one woman” shows of her African images in Palo Alto Galleries and at the San Mateo County Arts Council Gallery. As a photographer, she considers herself a “traditionalist”, and is currently and excitedly involved with the digital imaging world of photography and is presently making her images with a Canon Digital 40D and G9.
Philosophy
I believe visual expression can be the most effective form of communication. I look at a picture first for its impact and story and then its presentation and technique. The RULES of composition are very important and a photographer must know how to apply them; however, it is equally important to know how and when to break them in order to keep one’s creativity.
Upon receipt of your information you will be added to the judges list. The list is available to clubs via email on request. Contact the Judges Chair for the current N4C interclub judges list.
Note:
To learn more about how to judge, please read the Judges Manual, which is a comprehensive set of instructional articles written by experienced judges.
Annual Competition & Annual Awards Banquet
Each year N4C holds an annual competition and awards banquet, where the best of the best for the year are selected and shown. Judging for the annual N4C competition typically occurs in January followed by the awards banquet in February, which is held at a centrally located banquet facility. During the banquet, awards are given to the annual winners and those who are eligible to receive honor awards (AN4C, FN4C, HN4C & SN4C). In addition, incoming N4C Executive Board officers are installed.