Competition Topics

Printable pdf files of the SSPS syllabus are available here.

Month Topic Definition
January A photograph that is characterised by sparseness and minimal use of elements within. The emphasis i
February OPEN

Any subject matter may be entered.

The Club reserves the right to reject any image which may be deemed offensive.

Judge - SSPS panel of 3 judges, Greg Earl, Peter Calder and James Ide.

March FLORA AND/OR FAUNA

An image of any flower, plant, tree, fungus, animal, bird, fish, reptile, insect, spider or crustacean.

Photographs of mounted specimens, domestic pets and obviously set arrangements are ineligible. Photographic manipulations which alter the truth are not acceptable.

A perpetual trophy is awarded for the best image in this subject each year.    

Judge - Mario Mirable

April A Phone Photo

A photo taken on a mobile phone or tablet but NOT on a camera.

The meta data must support that the image was created on a mobile phone/tablet. The topic is OPEN and any subject can be entered.

Judge - Lin Haywood

May SCAPES

Scapes includes Landscapes, Seascapes, Waterscapes, Skyscapes and/or Cityscapes. Any scenic view where the main subject matter is the view captured and depicted. People may be included in the scene as long as they are ancillary to the main subject.

A perpetual trophy is awarded for the best image in this subject each year. 

Judge - Ian Bock

 

June OPEN

Any subject matter may be entered.

The Club reserves the right to reject any image which may be deemed offensive.

Judge - Vicki Moritz

July Shadows

Shadow photography is defined as any photo that uses shadows as a prominent part of the composition to enhance the contrast of a subject or as the subject itself.

Any subject that complies with the OPEN definition may be entered.

Judge - Theo Van der Meulen and trainee judge for B grade

August PHOTOJOURNALISM / SOCIAL DOCUMENTARY

Story-telling photographs such as are seen in the news media and periodicals, which may include documentary, contemporary life, illustrative, spot news, sporting events or human interest stories. Alternatively, the photograph may be concerned with the portrayal and interpretation of society encompassing both human and non-human subject matter.
In the interest of credibility, contrived situations or photographic manipulations which alter the truth are not acceptable. The story telling value of the photograph shall be weighed more than the pictorial quality.

In the interest of credibility, contrived situations or photographic manipulations which alter the truth are not acceptable. The story telling value of the photograph shall be weighed more than the pictorial quality.

A perpetual trophy is awarded for the best image in this subject each year. 

Judge - Margaret Huxtable

September Portrait

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

Judge - TBA

October Yellow

YELLOW for Colour prints and DPI, OPEN for Monochrome Prints.

Judge - Lisa Law

November END OF YEAR

END OF YEAR: Entries of the best prints/digital projected images of the year. All entries must be presented exactly as originally submitted. No remounting, further manipulation, adjustments or changes to the titles.

December
End of Year Open

The best images from the monthly competitions.