AFO Fotografieklub

1. NATURE – including wildlife, mammals, birds, insects
NATURE photography is restricted to the use of the photographic process to depict observations from all branches of natural history, except anthropology and archaeology, in such a fashion that a well informed person will be able to identify the subject material and to certify as to its honest presentation:
Human elements shall not be present, except on the rare occasion where those human elements enhance the nature story. The presence of scientific bands on wild animals is acceptable.  Photographs of artificially produced hybrid plants or animals, domestic and farm animals, mounted specimens, or obviously set arrangements, are ineligible, as is any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement. Manipulation includes but is not limited to adding or removing any element by means other than cropping.  The faithful representation of what was captured at the time of shooting must be maintained. Digital & printing adjustments are only acceptable if limited to minor cleaning work (removing dust spots), levels, curves, colour, saturation and contrast work, dodging and burning. Sharpening is allowed.  Compositing, multiple exposures, sandwich/montage shots and double exposures are not permitted except for new digital techniques such as HDR, stacking and stitching where the end result is a faithful representation of the original scene.  Adding or removing animals, parts of animals, plants, distractions, people etc into/from the image is not allowed.  Including wildlife, birds, insects (including macro images)  NO MANIPULATION ALLOWED  NO SCAPES ALLOWED  If the nature image is a manipulated image, it should be entered in the pictorial open category  Coloured and monochrome images allowed.

2. SPORT
SPORTS Photography covers any aspect of a sporting event. Images must depict an active pastime or recreation involving physical exertion and/or skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often of a competitive nature. Images in this section could include, for instance, the judge or umpire in a sporting event. The level of sport can range from children playing a sport to the Olympic Games. NO MANIPULATION allowed.  Coloured and monochrome images allowed.

3. PHOTOJOURNALISM 
Photojournalism - an image that tell a news story.  Photojournalism is distinguished from other close branches of photography by the qualities of: Timeliness - the images have meaning in the context of a recently published record of events. Objectivity - the situation implied by the images is a fair and accurate representation of the events they depict in both content and tone. Narrative - the images combine with other news elements to make facts relatable to the viewer or reader on a cultural level. NO MANIPULATION allowed.  Coloured and monochrome images allowed.

4. HUMAN PORTRAITS
A likeness, personality, and mood of a person/persons where that subject is dominant in the image. Portraiture is not restricted to head and shoulders and may include just a part of the face, a back view or even a full length study.  MANIPULATION allowed.  Coloured and monochrome images allowed.

5. VISUAL ART 
Photography as a means of expression and as a vehicle for the author to make a personal photographic statement.  Pictorial images can be Visual Art and Visual Art images can be Pictorial - the important part of the definition for Visual Art is that these images should go beyond the straightforward pictorial rendering of a scene. The image does not have to employ derivative or manipulative techniques to be Visual Art.  Altered reality and Avant Garde images will also form part of this category. MANIPULATION allowed.  Coloured and monochrome images allowed.
 
6. SCAPES 
A genre intended to show different spaces within the world, sometimes vast and unending, but other times microscopic. A landscape comprises the visible features of an area, including physical elements such as landforms, the sea, living elements of flora and fauna, abstract elements like lightning and weather conditions. Landscape can also include images where manmade objects or human activities are depicted as part of the landscape, including cityscapes, seascapes with boats etc. and landscapes with rural activities. MANIPULATION allowed.  Coloured and monochrome images allowed.

7. PICTORIAL OPEN 
Images with wide visual appeal. Any subject that is treated pictorially, embodying the elements of good design, arrangement or composition, which reflects the personal interpretation of the photographer.  Any general type of image, which would not fit into any of the other sections, may be entered into this category. MANIPULATION allowed.  Coloured and monochrome images allowed.