Newark & District Photographic Society

"Images used in Nature Photography competitions may be divided in two classes: Nature and Wildlife."

"Wildlife images may be entered in Nature sections…"

Please note that the only N&DPS Wildlife section is in the Annual Exhibition, all other N&DPS competitions only include Nature sections.

In these guidelines, when the term Nature is used it refers to both Nature and Wildlife, unless otherwise indicated.

"Nature photography is restricted to the use of the photographic process to depict all branches of natural history, except anthropology and archaeology…"

"…all branches of natural history…"

The English term "natural history" is a translation of the Latin historia naturalis. Modern definitions of natural history come from a variety of fields and sources, with many definitions emphasizing a particular aspect of the field but having a number of common themes amongst them.

This can unfortunately lead to misunderstandings by competitors and inconsistent decisions by judges.

"…except anthropology and archaeology"

Anthropology is the study of humankind, in particular the science of human zoology, evolution, and ecology, as well as the comparative study of human societies and cultures and their development.

Archaeology is the study of human activity in the past, primarily through the recovery and analysis of what has been left behind by past human populations, which includes artefacts, architecture, biofacts (also known as eco-facts) and cultural landscapes (the archaeological record). In the United States it is thought of as a branch of anthropology but in the United Kingdom it is considered part of the study of history and in France it is considered part of geology.

Archaeology should not be confused with Palaeontology, which is the branch of science concerned with fossil animals and plants.

Detail Studies

Nature photographs do not necessarily need to show the primary subject in its entirety and, in fact, a case can often be made for homing in on a particular detail.

Although, when presenting a detail study, it is advisable to reflect this in the image's title – in some competitions an image may be viewed without its title being announced and it is therefore important to ensure that detail studies are clearly such.

The following additional section of the definition applies purely to images entered into Nature Sections. A separate section of the definition applies to images entered into Wildlife Sections.

"Images entered in Nature sections meeting the Nature Photography Definition above can have landscapes, geologic formations, weather phenomena, and extant organisms as the primary subject matter. This includes images taken with the subjects in controlled conditions, such as zoos, game farms, botanical gardens, aquariums and any enclosure where the subjects are totally dependent on man for food."

"…landscapes, geologic formations, weather phenomena…"

Nature photography is not restricted to living things, but rather covers all branches of natural history, except anthropology and archaeology.

This allows for the photography of natural landscapes, as well as geologic formations, weather phenomena, and (although not subsequently stated) astronomy, as well as seismological events and volcanic activity.

Geologic formations consist of a number of rock strata that have comparable lithology (visible characteristics such as colour, texture, grain size, or composition), facies (a body of rock with specified characteristics), or other similar properties. Crystals and gemstones are acceptable provided they are in their natural form.

Weather phenomena may include all manner of meteorological phenomenon, including (but not restricted to): anticyclones, clouds, derecho, diamond dust (ground-level ice crystal clouds), drought, dust devils, dust storms, extratropical (mid-latitude/wave) cyclones, floods, hail, halo (nimbus, icebow, or gloriole), heavy seas, hurricanes, ice pellets, Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, lake-effect snow, light pillars, lightning, mesocyclones, morning glory cloud, Novaya Zemlya effects (polar mirages), phantom suns (sun dogs or parhelia), polar vortices (Arctic cyclones), rain, rainbows, raining animals, sleet, snow, squalls, St. Elmo's fire, subtropical cyclones, sun showers, supercells, temperature inversions, thunderstorms, tornados, tropical storms, waterspouts, weather fronts, or wind.

Astronomy is the branch of science which deals with celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole.

Seismological events include earthquakes and tsunamis; volcanic activity includes carbon dioxide emissions, effusive eruption of low-silica lava (e.g. basalt), explosive eruption of high-silica lava (e.g. rhyolite), lahars (debris flow), phreatic eruptions (steam-generated eruptions), and pyroclastic flows.

"…extant organisms…"

Extant organisms are organisms that are still in existence; the opposite of extinct organisms, which are not permitted.

If photographing endangered species it should be noted that Pierluigi Rizzato (Director of FIAP Ethic Service) confirmed (in an email on 23rd of June, 2014) that, If the species was extant at the time of photographic capture, it is a legitimate subject from that point on.

"…controlled conditions…"

Controlled conditions include zoos, game farms, botanical gardens, aquariums, and any enclosure where the subjects are totally dependent on man for food.

The previous rule that animals that are caged or under any form of restraint are ineligible, no longer applies to Nature sections.

The following additional section of the definition applies purely to images entered into Wildlife Sections. The previous separate section of the definition applies to images entered into Nature Sections.

"Images entered in Wildlife sections meeting the Nature Photography Definition above are further defined as one or more extant zoological or botanical organisms free and unrestrained in a natural or adopted habitat. Landscapes, geologic formations, photographs of zoo or game farm animals, or of any extant zoological or botanical species taken under controlled conditions are not eligible in Wildlife sections. Wildlife is not limited to animals, birds and insects. Marine subjects and botanical subjects (including fungi and algae) taken in the wild are suitable wildlife subjects, as are carcasses of extant species."

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What is acceptable in Wildlife Sections?

"…one or more extant zoological or botanical organisms free and unrestrained in a natural or adopted habitat."

"Wildlife is not limited to animals, birds and insects. Marine subjects and botanical subjects (including fungi and algae) taken in the wild are suitable wildlife subjects, as are carcasses of extant species."

"…extant zoological or botanical organisms…"

Zoology is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom; Botany is the branch of biology that more properly relates to plants but that is also accepted (e.g. by the International Botanical Congress) as including the study of fungi and algae (Mycology and Phycology respectively).

The FIAP and PSA Definition of Nature Photography confirms that botanical subjects (including fungi and algae) taken in the wild are suitable subjects.

Thanks to this broader definition of Botany, the phrase "zoological or botanical organisms" in fact covers three of the kingdoms in Cavalier-Smith's 1998 six-kingdom model (or Whittaker's 1969 five-kingdoms), Plantae, Fungi, and Animalia. This however excludes Bacteria, Protozoa, and Chromista; the latter of which is a potential cause for confusion as algae are listed as suitable subjects but Chromista include all algae whose chloroplasts contain chlorophylls a and c. FIAP have been asked for clarification but it would be reasonable to assume that while subjects requiring Macro photography (1:1 or greater on film or sensors) are acceptable, subjects requiring Micro photography (photography through a microscope) would not.

Extant organisms are organisms that are still in existence; the opposite of extinct organisms, which are not permitted.

If photographing endangered species it should be noted that Pierluigi Rizzato (Director of FIAP Ethic Service) confirmed (in an email on 23rd of June, 2014) that, If the species was extant at the time of photographic capture, it is a legitimate subject from that point on.

"…free and unrestrained…"

To be free and unrestrained the organism must not be under any direct control of humans, nor should it be dependent upon humans for food, and it must be free of any binds, tethers, or impediments restricting its freedom to roam (including cooling of animals to temporaily restrict their movement).

Species in national parks are considered free and unrestrained unless actually subjected to some form of restraint.

"…in a natural or adopted habitat…"

An organisms natural habitat is the area or natural environment in which an organism normally lives; an adopted habitat is a habitat the particular organism has moved into (and perhaps adapted to), whether as an introduced species or as a result of being displaced by destruction of its natural habitat.

Managed and regenerated forests, or parks, may be considered natural (or adopted) habitats for the species that inhabit them freely.

"…carcasses of extant species…"

The dead body of an animal that is extant, not extinct, is acceptable; despite the simplest interpretation of acceptable subjects being images of living things.

The term carcasses refers specifically to the dead body of an animal but, while there is no equivalent term for plants, images of dead (yet extant) plant species are equally acceptable in Wildlife sections.

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What is not acceptable in Wildlife Sections?

"Landscapes, geologic formations, photographs of zoo or game farm animals, or of any extant zoological or botanical species taken under controlled conditions are not eligible in Wildlife sections."

"…Landscapes, geologic formations…"

Landscapes and geologic formations are not permitted in Wildlife sections.

Given that images entered in Wildlife sections are further defined as one or more extant zoological or botanical organisms: Weather phenomena, which images entered in Nature sections can have as the primary subject matter, are also not permitted in Wildlife sections.

"…photographs of zoo or game farm animals, or of any extant zoological or botanical species taken under controlled conditions…"

Photographs taken under controlled conditions are ineligible for entry into Wildlife sections and should instead be entered into Nature sections.

"Photographs of human created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domestic animals, or mounted specimens are ineligible…"

Broadly speaking, the definition excludes images of animals or plants that were created by humans (e.g. hybrids that have not occurred naturally) or forms which exist because of humans (e.g. cultivated plants, domestic animals, or mounted specimens).

"…human created hybrid plants…"

Human created hybrid plants are derived from matings between genetically distinct parents by deliberate cross-pollination.

"…cultivated plants…"

Cultivated plants are those plants whose origin is primarily due to intentional human activity, e.g. taking wild species and growing them under controlled conditions, including careful breeding and selection.

Most cereals crops and ornamental garden plants fall into this category.

"…feral animals…"

Feral animals, although living wild, are ones that have escaped from a domestic situation or that have descended from such animals.

Care should to be taken in identification as some species, such as the Scottish Wildcat, may be confused with similar looking feral animals.

Feral animals should not be confused with introduced species, which (whether through accident or design) have been introduced into locations other than where they naturally occur. Provided they have not been domesticated, and assuming all other aspects of the rules are followed, introduced species are eligible subjects.

"…domestic animals…"

Domestic animals have been domesticated by humans so as to live and breed in a tame condition and depend on humankind for survival.

Individual animals may depend on humankind for survival (for example in zoos, game farms, botanical gardens, or aquariums) but this does not automatically mean their species should be considered domesticated.

"…mounted specimens…"

Mounted specimens includes the full range of preserved plant and animal life – whether dried, pressed, pinned, sealed in resin, or stuffed, and whether as single specimen or as part of a taxidermy diorama.

"Human elements shall not be present, except where those human elements are integral parts of the nature story such as nature subjects, like barn owls or storks, adapted to an environment modified by humans, or where those human elements are in situations depicting natural forces, like hurricanes or tidal waves. Scientific bands, scientific tags or radio collars on wild animals are permissible."

It has already been established that anthropology and archaeology (the study of humankind and human activity in the past, respectively) are excluded from nature photography. As such, human elements have no place in nature photography except where explicitly allowed by the following exceptions…

"…where those human elements are integral parts of the nature story…"

"…such as nature subjects, like barn owls or storks, adapted to an environment modified by humans…"

"…or where those human elements are in situations depicting natural forces, like hurricanes or tidal waves."

Which is to say that unless the element contributes to how your image illustrates the influence of humans on nature, or impact of natural forces acting on humans (in action, not simply the aftermath), all evidence of humans (e.g. buildings, fencing, people, vehicles, etc.) should be excluded at the taking or cropping stage.

"Scientific bands, scientific tags or radio collars on wild animals are permissible"

The one other exception to the ruling, that human elements shall not be present, is that the presence of scientific bands, scientific tags, or radio collars – which are widely used for tracking the migration and proliferation of species as part of conservation efforts and scientific study – is allowed.

This is a crucial exception as the removal of such evidence of humankind is not allowed and to not allow their inclusion would therefore negatively impact the variety of images that may be presented.

Although these elements are allowed, and cannot be removed from the image, of two otherwise equally good images: an image without bands, tags, or collars, might reasonably be expected to do better in competition.

"…in such a fashion that a well-informed person will be able to identify the subject material and certify its honest presentation."

"The story telling value of a photograph must be weighed more than the pictorial quality while maintaining high technical quality."

Nature photography is not just about creating a pretty, or thought provoking, image; it is expected to help with identification or education.

Images could be a simple (but accurate) illustration of a specimen or phenomenon, or (better yet) document some feature or behaviour that may not be commonly (or have previously been) observed.

Although the ability to identify the subject is essential, and the story portrayed is very important, technical quality and good composition should not be forgotten lest another equally informative image outshine yours as a result of being more competently recorded.

In addition to limits on the purpose, primary subject matter, and allowable elements, the FIAP and PSA Definition of Nature Photography places limits on what techniques may and may not be employed during capture and processing of images.

"…any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement."

Techniques applied during capture and editing can be grouped under two headings:

1. Techniques that optimise image quality
2. Techniques that alter the content of the original scene

Broadly speaking, techniques of type (a) are acceptable while techniques of type (b) are not.

"No techniques that add, relocate, replace, or remove pictorial elements except by cropping are permitted. Techniques that enhance the presentation of the photograph without changing the nature story or the pictorial content, or without altering the content of the original scene, are permitted including HDR, focus stacking and dodging/burning. Techniques that remove elements added by the camera, such as dust spots, digital noise, and film scratches, are allowed. Stitched images are not permitted. All allowed adjustments must appear natural. Color images can be converted to grey-scale monochrome. Infrared images, either direct-captures or derivations, are not allowed."

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Techniques Permitted

The following techniques are permitted in Nature Photography as they relate to enhancing the image without altering the truth of the photographic statement.

"Techniques that enhance the presentation of the photograph without changing the nature story or the pictorial content, or without altering the content of the original scene, are permitted including HDR, focus stacking and dodging/burning. Techniques that remove elements added by the camera, such as dust spots, digital noise, and film scratches, are allowed."

"All allowed adjustments must appear natural. Color images can be converted to grey-scale monochrome."

High Dynamic Range (HDR)

Multiple exposures (or multiple conversions of individual raw exposures) may be combined to address issues with adequately exposing HDR scenes, i.e. scenes where it would otherwise be difficult if not impossible to simultaneously record both highlight and shadow detail.

Focus Stacking

Multiple exposures may be combined to address issues recording adequate depth-of-field (i.e. focus stacking).

Exposure Adjustments

The use of dodging and burning tools is allowed during or after raw conversion, as are other exposure adjustments, including curves, levels, and colour balance.

Artificial illumination through the use of continuous lighting, flashes (strobe lights), and reflectors, are all permissible.

Image Corrections

"Techniques that remove elements added by the camera, such as dust spots, digital noise, and film scratches, are allowed."

Techniques such as noise reduction, dust and scratches filters, healing tools, and cloning tools, may all be employed to remove elements added during capture but that were not present in the scene being recorded, as may techniques to correct lens distortion.

Blemishes that were present in the scene, e.g. a damaged butterfly wing, may not be repaired and may only be removed by cropping.

Natural Appearance

"All allowed adjustments must appear natural."

The aim is to enhance the image without changing the nature story or the pictorial content, without altering the content of the original scene, and by the removal of elements added by the camera. The result should be indistinguishable from an image that had not needed the employment of these techniques.

Monochrome Conversion

"Color images can be converted to grey-scale monochrome."

Clearly this final permissible technique contradicts the former, that all allowed adjustments must appear natural, which is presumably why it appears later. Despite this, provided the colour version complied with all of the stipulations for Nature photography, grey-scale monochrome conversions are permitted.

One inference that can be drawn from the chosen phrasing is that, unlike the FIAP Definition of Black & White Photography (Monochrome), which stipulates that A black and white work toned entirely in a single colour will remain a monochrome work…, monochrome Nature photographs must be shades of grey alone.

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Techniques not Permitted

The following image edits are not permitted in Nature Photography as they would alter the truth of the photographic statement.

Misrepresentation

"…any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement."

No techniques may be employed, including during exposure or through cropping, that give the impression of a different specimen.

Nor may any techniques be employed to give the impression of a different story except, in Nature sections, by framing, cropping, or selective focussing during capture, to exclude human elements from images of subjects in controlled conditions.

This may result in the impression that the subject were free and unrestrained in a natural or adopted habitat but no matter how successful the resulting image is, subjects that are not free and unrestrained in a natural or adopted habitat remain ineligible for Wildlife sections.

Adding, relocating, replacing, or removing elements

"No techniques that add, relocate, replace, or remove pictorial elements except by cropping are permitted."

All elements must remain as seen in the original scene, except where a change in crop excludes that region of the scene or as a consequence of adjustments made by HDR processing or focus stacking.

Judges may refer to Digital gardening (the removal of elements from an image that could have been removed from the scene before capture) but this constitutes the removal or replacement of pictorial elements and is therefore not permitted.

Stitched Images (Panoramas)

"Stitched images are not permitted."

Although multiple images may be combined to create HDR images or during focus stacking, multiple images may not be combined to create a larger image than that achievable from any single exposure (i.e. panorama stitching).

Infrared Images

"Infrared images, either direct-captures or derivations, are not allowed."

Infrared images and false infrared images are not allowed; no restriction is however placed on ultraviolet images, although false ultraviolet imagery would not be permissible as this would require manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement.