Statement on Subject Matter - applicable to all sections
The fundamental rule that must be observed at all times and applies to sections 1-6 offered in exhibitions with GPU/CAPA recognition is that the welfare of living creatures is more important than any photograph. This means that practices such as baiting of subjects with a living creature and removal of birds from nests, for the purpose of obtaining a photograph, are highly unethical, and such photographs are not allowed in any exhibition with GPU/CAPA recognition. Under no circumstances may a living creature be placed in a situation where it will be killed or injured or for the purpose of obtaining a photograph. Images that show live creatures being fed to captive animals, birds or reptiles are not permitted under any circumstances.
There are also concerns about the use of aerial photography, using drones, helicopters, low flying aircraft. These should not cause any interference with other individuals or animals which causes a disturbance in their normal
activity or disrupts the way any individuals or animals interact with their environment.
Entrants in GPU/CAPA recognized exhibitions should comply with all relevant laws and regulations, associated with aerial photography, in the country in which the image was taken.
Entry into GPU/CAPA recognized exhibitions is conditional on accepting the above policies. The images must comply with the section definitions listed on the website and other conditions. Images that do not comply will be disqualified by the judges.
Color Definition:
The Image category for color must be a color image. A greyscale or multi-colored image modified or giving the impression of having been modified by partial toning, multi toning or by the inclusion of spot color on a monochrome image is considered a Color Image.
Monochrome Definition:
An image is considered to be monochrome only if it gives the impression of having no color (i.e, contains only shades of gray which can include pure black and pure white) or it gives the impression of being a grayscale image that has been toned in one colour across the entire image (for example by sepia, red, gold, etc.) A grayscale or multi-coloured image modified or giving the impression of having been modified by partial toning, Ulti-toning or by the inclusion of spot colouring does not meet the definition of monochrome and shall be classified as a colour work.
For the purpose of this exhibition, only greyscale images are allowed in monochrome sections. Toned images are not allowed
Nature- Content Guidelines:
Nature photography records all branches of natural history except anthropology and archaeology. This includes all aspects of the physical world, both over water and underwater. Nature images must convey the truth of the scene. A well-informed person should be able to identify the subject of the image and be satisfied that it has been presented honestly and that no unethical practices have been used to control the subject or capture the image. Images that directly or indirectly show any human activity threatening a living organism's life or welfare are not allowed.
• The most important part of a Nature image is the nature story it tells. High technical standards are expected, and the image must look natural.
• Objects created by humans, and evidence of human activity, are allowed in Nature images only when they are a necessary part of the Nature story.
• Photographs of human-created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domesticated animals, human-created hybrid animals, and mounted or preserved zoological specimens are not allowed.
• Photographs made where the scene is natural and the animal is unharmed in a carefully managed environment, such as Zoo, rescue centers, and ethically managed natural environment farms are permitted.
• Attracting or controlling subjects through the use of food or sound for the purpose of
photographing them is not allowed. Maintained situations such as provided supplemental food due to hardship caused by weather conditions or other conditions beyond the animals' control, where photography is incidental to the feeding of the animal does not fall under this provision.
• Controlling live subjects by chilling, anesthetic, or any other method of restricting natural movement for a photograph is not allowed.
• Human-made elements shall be permitted under the following circumstances:
a) When they are an integral part of the nature story, such as a songbird singing atop a fence post, a manmade object used as nest material, or a weather phenomenon destroying a man-made structure.
b) When they are a small but unavoidable part of the scene, such as an unobtrusive footprint or track in the background.
c) Scientific tags, collars, and bands are specifically allowed.
When photographing at a zoo, sanctuary, or rehabilitation center, it would be construed that the photographer ensured that it’s properly accredited and conforms to best practices.
Editing Guidelines for Nature:
Processing or editing must be limited to making the image look as close to the original scene as possible, except that conversion to grayscale monochrome is allowed.
Allowed Editing Techniques:
● Cropping, straightening and perspective correction
● Removal or correction of elements added by the camera or lens, such as dust spots, noise, chromatic aberration and lens distortion
● Global and selective adjustments such as brightness, hue, saturation and contrast to restore the appearance of the original scene
● Complete conversion of color images to grayscale monochrome
● Blending of multiple images of the same subject and combining them in camera or with software (exposure blending or focus stacking)
● Image stitching - combining multiple images with overlapping fields of view that are taken consecutively (panoramas).
Editing Techniques That Are Not Allowed:
● Removing, adding to, moving or changing any part of an image, except for cropping and straightening.
● Adding a vignette during processing
● Blurring parts of the image during processing to hide elements in the original scene
● Darkening parts of the image during processing to hide elements in the original scene
● All conversions other than to complete grayscale monochrome
● Conversion of parts of an image to monochrome, or partial toning, desaturation or over-saturation of color
GCPA Section Definitions
Landscapes “General and Drone”:
Images in this section include Landscapes, Seascapes and Cityscapes, or taken from a drone in flight, featuring environment and landscapes, urban and architecture to explore the landscapes of our planet. This includes the Human-made, naturally sculpted or a combination of the two. We accept images from all viewpoints, in all locations, taken on both wide and telephoto lenses and taken at any time of day, showing scenes in nature and urban through the creative eye of the photographer.Images may include people and/or animals BUT these must NOT be the main object of the image - the image must be about the environment.
People-theme and Portrait:
Any kind of images with portraying people in life as the principal subject of the image. Man/Woman/Children together or separately. This can include portrait. Images of a person or group of people capturing the personality of the subject.
This section always encourages submission of a broad spectrum of artistic, innovative and refreshing takes on human portraiture. We accept work taken both inside and outside the studio.
CAPA requirements
Feature content must align with our core values of artistic integrity, inclusivity, and community enrichment. The following that violates the CAPA standards are not permitted, including but not limited to:
●Gratuitous violence
●Explicit sexual content
●Hate speech
●Other inappropriate or harmful material
●Discriminate against participants based on national origin, ethnicity, race, gender, religion, age, or other protected characteristics