Competition Entry Rules

The following rules are taken from the competition handbooks, which are available within the Members Portal (Resources > Downloads > Competitions).

We have adopted the PAGB (Photographic Alliance of Great Britain) guidelines. Images must entirely be the work of the photographer. In composite images, all component content must meet this requirement. For the avoidance of doubt, use of images from any other source, including but not limiting to, royalty free image banks and clipart are not permitted. If you haven’t made the input, you can’t claim the output.

At present there are no image age restrictions, but we would ask members to restrict images to those taken within the last five years if possible.

The deadlines ‘Closing Date’ given on this website, the member’s portal and in the programme are the dates for you to submit the work. YCPG competitions are judged by our internal selection committee and are therefore prior to the dates we need to submit the chosen images that will represent the club within the relevant competition.

Our club selection is usually used as the topic for an indoor meeting where feedback and the selection results are shared for the entered images so that we can all learn (it’s all subjective of course!).

Use of AI in Images

Images generated solely via Artificial Intelligence (AI) are not permitted. All images or parts of images submitted must be based on photographic images taken by the author. AI tools may be used only for minor edits such as the cloning out of small, distracting objects that do not alter the fundamental narrative or authenticity of the photograph.

Creating or significantly altering objects, elements, or features that form an essential part of the storytelling or meaning of the photograph using AI is strictly prohibited.

The club relies on the integrity and honesty of its members. However, in certain circumstances, the club reserves the right to request additional evidence, including RAW files or EXIF data, acknowledging that such evidence itself may not always provide definitive proof.

YCPG Competitions additional rule

“Any image entered into one Y.C.P.G. competition will be ineligible for entry into any other Y.C.P.G. competition”. For clarification ‘entered’ = images internally selected by a club and subsequently entered into a YCPG competition. YCPG competitions include Brigg, Bell, Norman and Millennium.

Please check the YCPG handbook, available in the Members Portal, for further clarification.

DPI (PDI) entry rules

Max size 1600 pixels x 1200 pixels or 1200 x 1200 if square at 300 PPI.

File format should be Baseline (standard) and sRGB colour space JPEG.

Maximum file size 1.9Mb

Each image must have a File name with a meaningful title:

• The title should briefly describe the image or words to complement the image or guide the viewer to implied meanings.
• The full title length is limited to 32 characters, with no punctuation e.g.: full stops, commas, apostrophes or symbols. Capitals, Numbers and Spaces are allowed.
• The first letter of each word should be capitalised for titles.

Consider adding a thin, white/grey 1 or 2px border for images with dark edges when entered into a DPI competition. This can help show the viewer where the edges of your image are, especially when projected onto a screen.

Digital images should be uploaded via the Members Portal, they will be checked upon upload to ensure the above rules are followed.

NOTE: When an external competition is for prints but the member entries are DPIs (i.e. Bell and Millennium) the club may provide a mounted print of the selected images using club funds; in this case a higher resolution image may be requested from the member prior to printing to ensure the best possible print quality to represent the club. Alternatively, the member can of course still provide this printed image if desired instead.

Print entry rules and guidance

Max size of mounts is 400 mm x 500 mm. Photos (or mounts) can be any size within that mount size. YPU (Yorkshire Photographic Union) prints must also be maximum 4mm thick.

Mounts can be cardboard, foam, MDF etc but must not be picture frames. The print can be attached directly to the mount with glue, on foam board or mounting board. (Not recommended but easy and cheap.) Double sided tape or Sellotape for cardboard mounts can be used. Judges are looking for well mounted images.

On the rear of the mount put the print title. (Not your name)

On a separate sheet to accompany the prints write your name along with the print titles.