DCC Internal Competition General and AI Rules
- Amended August 2026.
The following rules apply to all competitions:
The club adheres to The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) charter’s
definition of what Photography is:
“'Photography'
shall mean the Art or Science of the recording of light or other radiation on
any medium on which an image is produced or from which any image may by any
means be produced.”
The club is a member of the Surrey Photographic Association
(SPA), enters its competitions and abides by its rules. The SPA is a member of The Photographic
Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB).
Permitted images in Club
competitions.
All images or elements in
images, including textures, that are submitted for competition must be the sole
work of the entrant and be their copyright. The Club will trust in the
integrity of its members. In certain circumstances, especially regarding AI or
image elements, if a challenge is received. The Club may request further
evidence in the form of RAW files or EXIF data, accepting that such evidence
may itself not be definitive.
All images must conform to the
RPS definition of photography. Images may be produced by any optical means,
including pinhole cameras, and by any Cyanotype or similar photography
technique.
A submitted image can be a
Single Exposure, ICM, Multiple Exposure, Composite or Montage image.
All component elements of a
submitted image must be 100% the photographer's original work. For the
avoidance of doubt, this includes water/sky replacements, textures, brushes,
royalty-free images, clipart and the like.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
used within post-processing software is acceptable.
AI-enabled algorithmic
automation of basic image processing (such as exposure optimisation in-camera,
the cloning of a background, or removal of subject elements), is under the
control of the photographer and represents an ongoing evolution of
long-standing capabilities. Therefore, photographic editing programs are
permitted, whether algorithmic processing in-camera or
post-processing software, that support digital photography on the condition
that, if asked, photographers are transparent and open about where such tools
have been used. Therefore, it is not using any Generative AI credits and is
acceptable
Content aware fill &
healing brushes and clone tools are acceptable.
The use of these tools is
permitted. They use content aware option in the photo editing program. It is
not generating anything. These methods sample pixels that already exist
elsewhere in your photo and using those to fill a gap, replace or cover an
object.
Generative AI is not permitted
in Club competitions.
The use of Generative AI in any
form which introduces pixels that do not originate from the photographer’s original
image may not be used in any way, including, but not limited to, replacing
elements or introducing content in an extended canvas.
No images produced by, or containing
elements produced by, AI renderings generated from text prompts may be entered
in club competitions.
No images containing AI
renderings generated via text prompts that are used to alter an image which is
the photographer’s own work, may be used in whole or part in the creation of
images. Therefore, Generative AI is being used, and these methods are
unacceptable and not permitted
Retouching and digital
manipulation by others is not allowed
All Prints and Projected Digital
Images (PDIs) must be the sole work of the entrant.
All editing must be the sole
work of the entrant.
Images that are sent to a third
party to be printed must not be manipulated by the third party in any way to
optimise or adjust the image for printing.
Subject matter
Unless the competition specifies
a set subject, the subject matter is “open” and therefore the entrant’s own
choice of subject matter.
All images must be NEW original
work
Individual images may only
be used only once.
An image may be entered in
EITHER ‘Print’, or ‘PDI’ format. Once an image has been used in a competition,
its format is locked-in and cannot be changed (e.g. from PDI to Print). You
cannot use any images from previous competitions and that includes from any
previous years.
The entry of similar images
An image which is sufficiently
similar to another previously entered by the same photographer may be ruled
ineligible as being effectively the same image.
Monochrome and colour versions
from one original are likely to be considered the same image, unless the
artistic treatment is significantly different.
Similarity may also arise where
elements are repeated in different composite images. Photographers should be
aware of the similarity issue, even if two entries have been given different
titles.
·
Members are encouraged to avoid, but not banned,
from entering additional images from “a set” in the same or subsequent
competitions.
o
Critique nights offer an opportunity for such
images to receive feedback from a judge.
·
Members who have doubts before they enter, are
encouraged to use an online “image similarity checker”, to resolve their
suspicions. These can be found by using Google and are online tools or software
that compares the similarity between two or more pictures.
·
Members are encouraged to seek the early opinion
of the Competition Secretary on whether an image could be deemed ‘sufficiently
similar’ to another that has been previously used in a club competition. The Competition
Secretary will keep in mind the member’s reasons for entering a similar image
(e.g. an attempt to improve technical skills, or to develop a panel).
·
If there is not sufficient time to enter a
replacement image, then a third entry to a later competition will be permitted.
·
If the withdrawn image was entered into the
final round of a league competition, the average score of the member’s other
five entries will replace the lost score.
·
Members may appeal the decision of the Competition
Secretary to the Chairman.
NOTE - The responsibility
should lie with the member to seek approval from the Competition Secretary at
least seven days before the competition deadline, and that three members of the
Committee (Including the Competition Secretary) will decide if an image is
eligible. These committee members may also use an online an “image similarity
checker” for an unbiased view.
(Based on AGM minutes - Amendment
to Rule 7 passed at June AGM 2025: Rule Change relating to entry of same or
similar images into Club Competitions)
Damage to printed image
The Club will take reasonable
care handling members’ work but will not be responsible for any damage or loss
however caused. (see how to mount a printed image on website)
Issues arising over the
conduct of internal Club competitions
Any issue arising over the
conduct of internal Club competitions, or the appropriateness of an image
entered therein should be raised at the time with the Chairman or Competition
Secretary.
Monochrome images
Monochrome images use multiple
tones of a single colour. An image is not monochrome if more than one colour is
present.
Black-and-white work toned images
will be classified as monochrome and will be accepted in the Monochrome category
for competition purposes.
Other Monochrome images of multiple
tones of a single colour like but not limited to the following:
·
The iconic Prussian blue of a Cyanotype.
·
The rich, warm chocolate-brown of a Van Dyke
Brown.
·
The stunning monochromatic images in shades of
purple, or pink, or brown using gold particles of the Chrysotype.
·
The deep, neutral-to-warm brown monochrome
images of the Argytype.
·
The soft, reddish-brown or sepia monochrome
tones of the Salt Print.
·
The exceptionally smooth, high-end monochrome
prints ranging from warm black to delicate silver-grey of the Platinotype &
Palladiotype.
·
The rich, deep neutral blacks, subtle
blue-violet or purple or brown shadows, and enhanced tonal gradation of a Selenium-toned
monochrome image.
·
The warm, vintage yellow-brown or chocolate tone
of a Sepia toned monochrome image
NOTE – All the above are Monochrome
images use multiple tones of a single colour. A Monochrome work modified by
partial toning, split toning or by the addition of one or more colours becomes
colour work.
PDI Images
All PDI images are projected and
viewed on a black background. It is up to the entrant if they use a keyline
around their images or not – see the competition section for more information.
PRINTED Images
May be mounted or unmounted – see
the competition section for more information
Classes
The club has three classes. Most
competitions are judged by class, see separate competition description tabs..
·
CLUB CLASS – is the foundational entry class for
learners and newcomer photographers
·
ADVANCED CLASS – is the improver class for
intermediate photographers
·
PREMIER CLASS - is the experienced class for
photographers who are still perfecting their skills
Members are placed into a class
at the discretion of the Committee. Experienced new members may be asked to
show a body of photographic work.
·
Mentoring is provided for Club class members if
requested
·
Critique Group membership is encouraged for
members
Club Competitions and critique
nights
These are open to all members,
judged by class and listed below. Each is described in detail in the individual
tabs that follow
Tate
Print League
Moller
PDI League
Special
Print Panel
Special
PDI (Projected Digital Image)
Photo
on a Phone
David
Multon Comp
Annual
PDI - 2 from 4
Annual
Print - One Mono, One Colour
Three critique nights
Titles
Do consider carefully the title you use
Will the judge understand it?
Will it help the judge to judge the picture?
Will it mislead the judge into trying to judge something
which is not in the image?
Judging
Judging will be carried out by a
judge who is not a member of the Club. He/she will be selected from a list of
approved SPA or similar judges. The exception being the “Photo on a Phone”
competition when club members who won last year lead the discussion .
Trophies and Awards
Trophies awarded to members who
win a competition will be held for one year. Trophy winners will also receive a
certificate and commemorative plaque to keep. Trophies will be returned to the
Competition Secretary when requested near the end of the following season.
Runner-up and Highly Commended entries will receive a club certificate.
External Competition
Surrey Photographic Association (SPA), Individual Print
& PDI Competition - Saturday 24 October 2026.
The club encourages all members to individually enter this
competition to experience a bigger competition get a wider view on photography
and practice.
Submissions must be uploaded by Saturday 03 October 2026, 3
weeks prior to the competition date. Last year's rules can be found under the
SPA Competitions header and up-to-date competition rules will be available in
due course. Held at East Horsley Village Hall, Kingston Ave, East Horsley,
Leatherhead KT24 6QT. Doors will open at 13:00. The competition will commence
at 14:00, with a targeted end time of 17:30.