As part of the monthly club night we have an opportunity to have our images assessed. Financial members are able to submit a maximum of two images each month to be assessed by a PSNZ judge. One image must be based on the Set Subject for the month (refer to the table below), the other image is an Open (entirely your own choice) category.
Club photographers are graded. We have four levels: ‘Junior’ (under 18 years*), ‘Novice’, ‘B Grade’ and ‘A Grade’.
When images are assessed they earn points if they are judged Accepted or higher.
Note: Assessment images must be submitted by midnight on the last day of the month.
* For a complete definition of Junior age and grades refer to the club Competition Rules.
Monthly Competition -Entry Form
2024 Monthly Subjects
Below are the set subjects for the coming year. Definitions have been added to assist you in generating ideas. Clicking on the ‘subject’, will open a hyperlink to a Tips page with more help on the topic. Go beyond the obvious, try new techniques, share your results!
| Month | Subject | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2023 / Jan 2024 | Bokeh | Bokeh is defined as “the effect of a soft out-of-focus background that you get when shooting a subject, using a fast lens, at the widest aperture, such as f/2.8 or wider.” Simply put, bokeh is the pleasing or aesthetic quality of out-of-focus blur in a photograph. |
| February | Shadows | Shadows can help to direct attention to a specific point in the composition. They can reveal form or hide features that may be better left unseen. They can also be used to add a hint of drama, emotion, interest, or mystery to a photo. And, of course, they can emphasize the light, drawing attention to highlights in an image. Manipulation of the lighting and exposure of shadow within an image can be used to add or remove darkness from a scene, dramatically altering the overall feel and depth of a photograph. |
| March | Abstract | Abstract photography is a method of expressing ideas and emotions with photographed image elements without the intention of creating a traditional or realistic image. By avoiding and going beyond the usual representations of an object, scene, or any particular element, it reveals details that are normally ignored and triggers the viewer’s imagination. |
| April | Miniature/Close up/Macro | Macro photography is all about showcasing a subject larger than it is in real life — an extreme close-up of something small. Close up generally means any photo that shows the subject closer and in more detail than we’re used to. Miniature You use miniature figures as your subject. Miniature photography is about creating scenes. The size gives you complete creative control. |
| May | Parallelograms/Repeating Lines | A parallelogram is a shape with four sides, and the sides opposite each other are parallel, meaning they don’t intersect. Examples of parallelograms include squares, rhombuses, and rectangles. Think abstract patterns in nature, buildings, tiles, roofs, etc. Repetition in photography refers to the technique of integrating recurring elements, patterns, or themes in a composition to produce a sense of rhythm and balance in an image. This can involve the repeated use of lines, shapes, colors, textures, or other visual elements that create a sense of consistency and uniformity. The repetition photography examples could be anything—a row of trees, a series of arches, a field of sunflowers, or even a group of people dressed similarly. By echoing these elements throughout the image, the photographer guides the viewer’s eye across the photograph, establishing a visual rhythm. |
| June | Central Otago at Night | Use the dark winter evenings to capture what is special about our Central Otago area at night – think landmarks, buildings, the streets at night, traffic light trails and astro…keep safe and take a friend with you |
| July | Travel | Travel photography is the art of capturing all aspects of a place to inspire others to go there. It captures and conveys the physical location, landscape, people, and culture. A good travel photo tells a story, inspires the viewer about other beautiful places in this big world, and educates them about a place or culture by showing them how they differ from their own. |
| August | Landscape | Landscape photography is capturing an image that embodies the spirit of the outdoors. It carries a sense of being there. Landscape photography shows the spaces within the world, sometimes vast and unending, but other times microscopic. Landscape photographs typically capture the presence of nature. |
| September | Movement | This month we want to show movement in our images to make them feel dynamic. Adding a slight blur of the action to your shot helps tell a story. This storytelling element makes the images a little less static and unexpected. Another reason why showing movement stands out is because it sets the mood. Whereas a photograph of a car frozen in time is just a car, the same image with a blurred background and the car being the sole object in focus adds a little bit more depth. Showcasing movement with blur helps focus attention. Blurring everything but your main subject, as in the image below, eliminates all distractions and really narrows into the focus of the photograph. |
| October | Flowers | So long as it’s a flower, you can photograph it! But get creative on this one. Think multiple exposures, abstract, still life, old masters, texture layers, vintage, backlight, dew….explore ideas online and find a new way to see flowers. |
| November | Black & White | Black and white photography removes any distraction of color and helps the viewer focus on other aspects of the photo, such as the subject, the textures, shapes and patterns, and the composition. As you’re shooting, think in terms of contrast — the difference between the light and dark tones in the scene. Contrast can be found in many places. One of the most important things you can do in your quest for great black and white images is to train your eye to look for shadows, patterns, textures, and lines. For example, look for interesting textures like a brick wall or a dirt road. Check out the lines and repeating patterns in architecture. |
| Dec 2024/Jan 2025 | Portrait | Portrait photography is about capturing the essence, personality, identity and attitude of a person utilising backgrounds, lighting and posing.Think beyond the traditional portrait -i.e. street, candid, environmental, lifestyle, surreal, self portraits. Note: Pets are not included in this definition. |
| February | Pets | Don’t leave this one until the last minute. Pets require patience! But with effort you can take captivating pet pictures, such as dog pictures, cat pictures, and other animal portraits, to capture the beauty and personality of our furry companions. There’s masses of opportunity here, from action-packed shots to serene portraits, as well as pictures of pets in various poses and environments. Enjoy this one. |
points awarded to images:
Honours: 8 points
Merit: 4 points
Accepted: 2 points
These points help photographers move up through the grades.
how many points do you need to move up a grade?
You need to earn 63 points AND be awarded a minimum of two ‘honours’ to move up a grade.
additional competitions
Other specialty competitions are run on an ad hoc basis. Each field trip has its own competition. This is judged by the members on club night.
inter-club competitions
Inter-club competitions are also held throughout New Zealand, often run through our affiliated partnership with the Photographic Society of New Zealand (PSNZ).
