REGINA AQUARIUM SOCIETY

R.A.S. Aquatic Photography Programme - Level Requirements and Rules

 

Novice: Any 3 photographs (not judged and pointed)

Advanced: 100 points

Senior: 200 points (an additional 100) All photos must score a minimum of 4 points or will not be counted. 1 article for Fins and Friends 2 5”x7” or larger prints 2 entries that score 7 or higher.

Expert: 400 points (an additional 200) All photos submitted at this level must score a minimum of 4 points or will not be counted. 1 article for Fins and Friends 4 5”x7” prints 2 8”x10” prints 4 entries that score 7 points or higher.

Master: 600 points (an additional 200) All photos submitted at this level must score a minimum of 5 points or will not be counted. 1 article for Fins and Friends 4 5”x7” prints 2 8”x10” prints 4 entries that score 8 points or higher.

Grand Master: 1000 points (an additional 400) All photos submitted at this level must score a minimum of 6 points or will not be counted. 1 article for Fins and Friends 2 8”x10” prints 2 black and white prints (any size) A Powerpoint presentation at a club meeting with a script and at least 10 photographs. 2 entries that score 9 points or higher.

Grand Master Silver: 1500 points (an additional 500) All photos must score 6 or more. 8 prints 7"x5" or above. Two articles for Fins & Friends. A Powerpoint presentation at a meeting with at least 20 pictures. At least 3 entries must score 9 or more.

Grand Master Gold: 2200 points (an additional 700) All photos must score 7 or more. 10 prints 7"x5" or above. Two articles for Fins & Friends. A Powerpoint presentation at a meeting with at least 30 pictures. At least 4 entries must score 9 or more.

Grand Master Platinum: Requires 3000 points (an additional 800) All photos must score 8 or more. At least 5 must score 9 or more and at least 2 must score 10. Six prints 10"x8". Three articles for Fins and Friends. A Powerpoint presentation at a meeting with at least 40 pictures taken for this level.

There must be at least one picture in all the following categories: Complete Aquarium - Rainbowfishes - Danios & Rasboras - Labyrinth Fishes - Barbs & their relatives - Cichlids - Catfish - Livebearers - Aquatic or Marginal Plants - Non fish aquatic (i.e. frog, shrimp, snail etc) - A Club Meeting.

 

Grand Master Mega

 

The entrant may choose ONE of the groups below and submit pictures according to that group.

All entries must score 9 or more. 50% must score 10.

 

GROUP ONE

10 x Rainbowfish

10 x Labyrinth Fish (not B. splendens)

10 x Characins

10 x Callichthyidae (Corydoras and relatives)

10 x Lake Tanganyika Cichlids

10 x Fish with eggs or fry

 

GROUP TWO

10x Killifish

10 x Barbs

10 x Non Fish Aquatic

10 x Loricariidae (Plecs)

10 x Lake Malawi Cichlids

10 x Betta splendens

 

GROUP THREE

10 x Danios

10 x Livebearers

10 x Club Meeting or Auction

10 x Catfish not in groups 1 &2

10 x Discus

10 x Killifish

 

GROUP FOUR

10x Rasboras

10 x Aquatic/ Marginal Plants

10 x Complete Aquarium

10 x Dwarf Cichlids

10 x Cichlids not in other groups

10 x All other fishes

 

 

In addition the entrant:

Must submit two photographs from each of the other groups (six in total) and these should score ten points each.

Must submit three articles with pictures for Fins and Friends. Each must deal with a separate type of fishes from his/her chosen group.

Must, once the photography part is completed, give a presentation at a club meeting showing all 66 photographs in this level.

 

A trophy will be awarded upon completion of this level.

 

Rules of the Programme

1)Entrants must be a member in good standing of the R.A.S.

2) Entries must be the original work of the entrant.

3) Entries will be accepted electronically (via Email) but if the entrant chooses he may submit prints instead. All entries must be accompanied by the APP entry form.

4) Points will be accumulated on an individual or family basis.

5) Judging will be done on the APP entry form and a record kept. Judging criteria is described below.

6) Entries will be pointed by the APP chairman or his representative. If an entrant disagrees with the points awarded he can return the entry to the APP chairman for re-judging. Another judge will point the photo and these points will be accepted by the APP and the entrant.

7) Repeat entries of the same photograph will not be allowed.

8) Participant's point totals will be published monthly in Fins and Friends. All photos will be placed on the APP website with name of photographer & points obtained.

9) Photos may not be tinted, toned or unnaturally coloured.

10)Any prints will be displayed at club meetings in an album. This will not apply to all day meetings such as the Giant Auction.

11) The RAS may, from time to time, duplicate and entries and use them as they see fit. The owner of the original will be given credit when this occurs.

12) No photographs will be accepted of the following: Sick or injured fishes – crossbreeds – mutants (such as balloon mollies, angel rams etc.) - dyed or tattooed fishes – fishes with man made extended finnage (except for Guppies and Betta splendens).

13) A certificate will be presented on completion of each level at the next available meeting (excluding Auctions etc.) for the first five levels. A certificate and plaque will be presented for the Grand Master level.

​

Please note: Wherever the terms his or him is used it should also read hers or her.

 

Judging Criteria

1) Interpretation of the subject (Score 1-2)

Is the photograph on the subject?

Is the subject matter common or unique?

If common, has it been treated in a unique way?

2) Impact (Score 1-2)

A superior image should make a statement

Does the image provoke thought?

Does the image capture your attention?

3) Technical skill and presentation

Sharpness (Focus) of picture

Depth of field

Composition

Exposure control (Is the photo too dark or light?)

Presentation (Is the glass clean inside and out? - Is the water clear? Is the subject clear?)