Club Competition Information

Entering your first Competitions?

Why Enter Competitions?

Participation in club competitions is an excellent method of developing your photography. Simply enter one of the many competitions during the year with other OffShoot members, get independent feedback from the competition by an external judge a couple of weeks later. Couldn’t be simpler!

Some people may find it intimidating or nerve-wracking to enter their first competition. Try not to feel that way – just think of it as an opportunity of getting feedback on your images which will help you improve. You will be so glad that you did.

OffShoot Club Competitions follow the format:

• Announcement. At the start of each year, a Competition Programme will be announced. Members have a few weeks before each competition deadline to hand in/ upload their entries. The theme usually allows lots of scope for individual creativity and interpretation.
• Hand-in of entries. Competitions can be Printed or Projected. For printed competitions, members can print and mount their own photographs (see below), but most will choose to have them printed and mounted professionally, and the Club can organise this for you. Unless you print and mount your own image, all images (Printed and Projected) will be uploaded to the OffShoot Dropbox.
• Judging Night. – Judging normally takes place 2-3 weeks after hand-in. The judging is the “main event” for that club night. This allows the judge ample time to get through all the entries and provide valuable feedback on them.

Competition Levels

At Offshoot, we have 3 levels:

• Level 1 – New members
• Level 2 – Intermediate
• Level 3 – Advanced

Level 1 is generally for members who have recently started photography and are mainly concerned with getting the technical aspects right (focus, exposure, holding the camera steady). They may or may not be familiar with Photoshop or similar tools.

Level 2 is for members who have been successful in competitions at Level 1.

Anyone with a Licentiate (L) or higher distinction from the Irish Photographic Federation (IPF), or equivalent, or a track record of photographic accomplishment (as decided by the OffShoot Committee) is automatically categorised as a Level 3 member.

There will be an ongoing review of ability based on entries, and in subsequent months of the competition, we may reallocate members from one level to the next. Promotion to the next level is based on points awarded for placement in competitions.

Competition Judging

Most of the competitions will be judged by an external judge. 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions will be awarded in each of the three levels. In addition, we will typically award two “Highly Commended” at each level.

Printing and Mounting Images

The rules specify that window mounting is required, preferably size 16” by 20”. This rule helps protect your image and the entries of other members from damage. As for printing, there are options in relation to mounting. A neutral mounting (in white / cream) usually looks best. Some members do their own mounting – from cutting the mount to assembling the mounted image and will happily share their expertise with you.

Others buy window-mounts and “backing boards” from art supply shops and put together the mount.

OffShoot Formal Competition Rules

General

By submitting an entry into a competition, you accept the following rules:

1. Entrants must be fully paid-up members. As part of membership, you will receive a membership number and competition level. If you are unsure of your membership number or your level, please contact newmembers@offshoot.ie.
2. All imagery MUST be the total and exclusive work of the submitting author and may not include any element that was originated by or is the copyright of other photographers.  Textures or masks inserted from editing software are acceptable.
3. The Club assumes no liability for any misuse of copyright for any image put on display. Entries will be treated with care, but no liability is accepted for loss or damage.
4. Each entry must relate to the Theme associated with the competition.
5. Entries may be in Monochrome or Colour, except where the Theme is specifically Mono.
6.  Maximum Image size is 12 x 16 inches (30.5cm x 40.6cm) for Printed images
7. Printed images must be window-mounted, with a maximum mount size of 16 x 20 inches (40.6 x 50.8cm) – as bigger mounts will not fit in the competition box and are therefore not eligible.
8. Generally, there is a maximum of 2 (two) entries per member.
9. To ensure impartiality, there must be no identification other than the membership number of the photographer. Digital entries must adhere to the following naming convention:
   Level No-Membership No-Image Title e.g. L3-123-Blue Skies
10. You may not enter the same image into multiple OffShoot Club competitions, including similar and conversions e.g. to Black & White. The Competition Secretary’s decision on whether an image has been previously entered is final.
11. The judge’s decision is final. The judge will use his / her own criteria (see below) for determining the placings.
12. We may photograph or copy the award-winning images for (i) the competition reports on the OffShoot website, (ii) the end of year Competitions report and (iii) for possible use, with the photographer’s permission, in IPF club competitions. All rights remain with the photographer, and none of the images will be used in any other way without the photographer’s permission.
13. The entrant is responsible for the collection of printed images from the Competition Secretary after judging. Uncollected images may be disposed of after a reasonable period.

Recent Competitions Results