Sandhills Photography Club

COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE- Michael Sassano, Dee Williams and Jerry Kozel

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Just a reminder of our upcoming competitions for the remainder of this year:

June: M is for ....... 

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M is for ..... - Definition: The subject of the image should begin with the letter “M.” The title of the image must reflect the “M” name of the subject. (3-year limit)

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You will receive a confirmation of your image acceptance usually within 24 hours of submitting.  Thank you in advance for your participation.

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Judge Nancy Arehart:  www.nancyarehartphotography.com

 

The galleries will open Saturday May 10 at 4:00 pm and close Saturday May 17 at 4:00 pm.  The competition date is the June 9th meeting. One entry per member is allowed and metadata must be attached.  There is a 3 year time limit .

 

Competition date is June 9th at 7 pm.

 

Judge: TBA

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(AUG) Churches/Graveyards – Photograph a church, old or new, OR photograph a cemetery. (3-year limit).
Judge: Debbie Brooks (PPG) Charlotte, NC: @dbrooks839 (Instagram)
Entries Open 7/12/2025
Entries Close 7/19/2025
Results Event 8/11/2025
  
(OCT) The Color Red – The image must contain a dominant overall color of red or the subject of the image must be red. (3-year limit)
Judge: Mary Presson Roberts, Fort Mill, SC, website: https://www.themaryphotographer.com
Entries Open 9/13/2025
Entries Close  9/20/2025
Results Event 10/13/2025

(DEC) Open – any subject is acceptable. Color or black & white may be submitted. (3-year limit)
Member judged.
Entries Open 11/8/2025
Entries Close 11/15/2025
Results Event 12/8/2025
 

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​If you are a new member and you need help with entering a competition, there are two resources: the Competition Manual is on our website and offers many tips for sizing and other technical specifics; and, you are welcome to email us with any questions at the contact link above. We're happy to help!

 

​Thank you for your involvement in the competition contests at SPC! Happy shooting... Mike

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​​TIER 1: Members with little or no experience in photography and/or who are new to competitions. Tier 1 members will be moved into tier 2 when they have accumulated 15 award points in competitions.

 

TIER 2: Members who have advanced through tier 1 or for new members who have already had prior photography experience and elect to be in tier 2. Tier 2 members will advance to Tier 3 when they have accumulated 40 award points in competitions.

 

TIER 3: Members who have accumulated 40 points in competitions.

 

Editing to all photographs is unrestricted. However, the original image must be an image taken by the member and meet the time and topic criteria for each competition. Members can use specialized cameras. (Infrared, ultraviolet, microscope, telescope, x-ray, electron beam, or any electro-optical device.) To enhance the original image the use of the following are allowed but not required: textures, frames, and borders created by the member, part of editing software, purchased, or acquired with permission. All images used in a composite must belong to the club member. The committee has the authority to request additional information if they feel it to be necessary.

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POINTS GUIDELINE IMPACT: 1 to 4 points Does the image illicit a strong emotional response as a first impression with a feeling of mood and does it hold your eye and interest? Does the title add to the image?

 

COMPOSITION: 1 to 3 points Is there design and balance in the image, bringing all of the visual elements together? Does it draw the viewer to look where the creator intended? Is the subject emphasized by the placement, contrast and framing with no distracting elements? Does the image have a strong point of interest?

 

TECHNICAL: 1 to 3 points Proper exposure, color balance, image focus, and good tonality should exist in the image as appropriate to the subject.

 

Keep this in mind when thinking about a title for your images. There are some who argue that a good or clever title should not be necessary, that the image should stand on its own and not necessarily need a title to “explain” the story or the picture. We, as the Competition Committee, feel that a title is important and can add to the overall impact of the photo. Any short title will work, but a creative, humorous, or inspired title is an addition to the photo. If the title is used to explain the image, we feel the judge will recognize that and perhaps lower the impact score realizing the image alone doesn’t tell the complete story. Some judges place importance on titles, others do not.

 

There is a discrepancy between the judging guidelines and the Competition Manual (which does not mention titles). We will update the manual, but in the meantime, we wanted you to be aware that the judge may consider your title as part of the judging.

 

Also, if you have not paid your 2025 dues, you will not be allowed to participate in the February competition. The galleries will open on January 11, so make sure your dues are paid before that date

 

As always, if you have questions or any difficulties entering, feel free to contact us at: Competitions@sandhillsphotoclub.org.

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