Guidelines for Judging
Delaware Photographic Society
Competitions 2025-2026
July 10, 2025

To be considered for competition, images must be uploaded to the DPS website by 11:59 p.m. on the image dates specified on the DPS website. 

SCORING:
The scoring system we use permits each of the three judges to score an entry from 1 to 9. Thus, the total score for each entry can range from 3 to 27. We realize that judging photographic images is largely subjective. However, we would like judges to adhere to the following approximate scoring guidelines:

GENERAL JUDGING GUIDELINES:
These guidelines are provided to acquaint you with the judging procedures for DPS projected image competitions,and some general expectations for our invited judges.

• A 3-4 rating is used for images where there are two or more flaws, and this rating would be used for assigned subject evaluation where the entrant does not follow the assignment.

• These guidelines use “6” as a baseline of a good image: good focus, exposure, composition, lighting, depth of field, etc. A ”5” is at the low end of the good scale where one of the elements listed was inadequate or poor. A “7” is the top of a good rating where one of the elements was very good but not enough to elevate it to a score of “8”.

• An 8-9 rating is used for an image where the judges feel strongly that the image should be selected, and if awards were given should receive one of these scores. So, an “8” or “9” should be used where all the elements come together to make an excellent image.

Disqualification:
A score of “1” is used for disqualification only (name, title, copyright info or other text placed on image).  Only the Projected Image/Print Competition Directors will disqualify an image for any of the following reasons: image previously selected in a prior competition, the same image entered more than once in different categories (Assigned, Open and Creative) for the same competition night, name or title or copyright info or other text placed on the image, image capture date prior to assigned subject requirement, or image completely failed to meet the criteria for the competition (assigned subject, creative).

COMPETITION CLASSES:
According to experience and skill levels, the contestants have been assigned to one of three proficiency classes: Class B, Class A and Salon. Salon is the class for the most proficient members and Class B for the least proficient. However, judges should not automatically assume that images submitted in Class B are necessarily of less quality than images in Class A or Salon but judge each image on its own merits.

Entries in each group (i.e., a given class and subject category) will be viewed and judged together, and separately from other groups. The only exception is Creative where all images entered are judged together, regardless of Class.

COMPETITION CATEGORIES:
We have four different image categories: Assigned Subject, Color Open Subject, Creative and Monochrome Open Subject.

ASSIGNED SUBJECTS (Color and Monochrome)
Assigned Subject competitions are conducted in all classes. Color and Monochrome images compete together in Assigned Subjects. For the Assigned Subject images, it is the judges’ responsibility to determine the extent to which each image fits the assignment, and to score accordingly. An appealing image that does not fit the assigned subject very well should not score above a less striking image that fits the assignment.

Scoring of Assigned Subject Images:
Judges will be scoring images, grouped by assigned subject for each month, (September, October, November, and January, February, March, April) since the assigned subject provides the context for scoring such images.

ASSIGNED SUBJECTS:
SEPTEMBER 2025: WEED FLOWER (attractive flower of a common weed such as buttercup, chicory, cinquefoil, dandelion, henbit, honeysuckle, and thistle)
OCTOBER 2025: RESTING PERSON (a human at rest or asleep)
NOVEMBER 2025: REFLECTED IN A MIRROR (subject is seen reflected in a mirror)
JANUARY 2026: IN THE WOODS (image made in wooded area)
FEBRUARY 2026: BUBBLES (image featuring bubbles)
MARCH 2026: ANALOG CLOCK (image creatively featuring a clock with hands)
APRIL 2026: URBAN SCENE AT NIGHT (night image in an urban environment)

All images that are to be entered in the Assigned Subject category for the 2025-2026 DPS year must have been captured on or after September 1, 2024.

COLOR OPEN SUBJECT (Color Only)
Any image taken by the club member, at any time, may be entered in the Color Open category, except for images, previously marked as selected in earlier competitions. Club members are requested to use discretion and propriety when submitting images in this category. The Open category has no date, technique, or subject requirement.

MONOCHROME OPEN SUBJECT: (Monochrome Only)
An image is considered to be Monochrome if it gives the impression of having singular color.  In other words, it 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 color across the entire image (for example, sepia, blue, red, gold, etc.).  The Monochrome Open category has no date, subject, or technique requirement other than being monochrome.

CREATIVE:
Creative photography is producing an image through the use of imaginative skill or originality of thought including the altering of reality.  No image should be eliminated from competition simply because it looks realistic, provided it shows originality of concept. Creative images may include modifications in the darkroom, on the computer, or in the camera, as well as unusual points of view, imaginative use of subject matter or lighting, or any other presentation that begins with the maker’s photography or a collection of photographs.  While artificial intelligence (AI) software is allowed to make luminosity, color, and sharpness correction, creation of subject matter or any elements in a composite image via AI software is not allowed.  There are no date requirements for the creative category.

Key features of creative images:

• Going beyond the literal: Creative photography seeks to express the photographer's vision, feelings, and messages artistically, rather than just capturing reality.
• Imaginative skill and originality of thought: It involves producing images through original ideas and techniques, including alterations to reality.
• Altering reality: Creative images can involve modifications made in-camera, in the darkroom, or through digital manipulation, such as composites or montages.
• Intentional use of elements: Photographers intentionally use elements like unusual perspectives, lighting techniques, or post-processing to enhance the uniqueness and mood of the image.
• Storytelling and emotional impact: Creative photography can use imagery to convey a message, tell a story, or evoke emotions in the viewer.
• Originality of concept: Even if the final image looks realistic, as long as it demonstrates an original concept, it can be considered creative.
• Significant photographic content: While manipulation and mixed media can be included, the final result must retain significant photographic content, and the original images must be the photographer's own work. 

Judges, who are not current DPS members, will receive an honorarium of $50.00 for judging the images in these competition.

If you have any questions about these guidelines, please contact Karl Leck, Print Director at karleck@verison.net or Mark Lieberman, Projected Image Director at mlieberman47@gmail.com.