Competition Month
Definition
Only images captured within the past 12 months from submission date are eligible.
Images that have received an Honour or a Merit may also be submitted into this competition.
The Competition Categories (one Image per Category) are:
• Print - Colour - Open Subject
• Print - Monochrome - Open Subject
• Digital Image - Colour - Open Subject
• Digital Image - Monochrome - Open Subject
The competition is conducted in two grades:
• A grade members
• B (includes both AB and B grade members)
Due: Wed, Nov 12th 2025 @ 9PM
Definition
Nature photography records all branches of natural history except anthropology and archaeology.
This includes all aspects of the physical world, both animate and inanimate, that have not been made or modified by humans.
• Nature images must convey the truth of the scene that was photographed.
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 that threatens the life or welfare of a living organism 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.
• Images taken with subjects under controlled conditions, such as zoos, are allowed.
• Controlling live subjects by chilling, anaesthetic or any other method of restricting natural movement for the purpose of a photograph is not allowed.
EDITING GUIDELINES
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 colour 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).
Due: Wed, Dec 10th 2025 @ 9PM
Definition
The topic can showcase and portray our diverse country in all its conditions, from the seasons to fire, drought, and flood, as well as its flora and fauna, its people, and its structures—be they railways, buildings, bridges, or more.
Due: Wed, Jan 28th 2026 @ 9PM
Definition
An image making that relies on simplistic compositions, heavy use of space and elimination of clutter.
The main subject is often kept small in then frame or its presence kept to a minimum and exceptionally simple.
Due: Wed, Feb 25th 2026 @ 9PM
Definition
Any image that has received an honour or merit in the last 12 months will be considered automatically.
However you can submit up to 4 Nature images for particular consideration for the 2025 Nature Interclub.
Nature is defined for this competition as per the definition provided by the Australian Photographic Society Inc. (APS)
https://www.a-p-s.org.au/index.php/nature-definition
CATEGORIES
This is a digital only nature competition with no prints. There are 3 categories in the competition:
* Animals
* Botany
* Landscape
There is an entry limit of 10 images per club, a panel of MGPS members will do a selection from the images entered specifically for this and those that received a merit or honour in monthly competitions for the last 12 months.
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NOTE: As this is a Nature ONLY competition the "Open Subject" upload section can be used to submit images for consideration.
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Due: Mon, Mar 9th 2026 @ 9PM
Definition
Relating to ships, sailors, sailing and navigation of the sea.
Due: Wed, Mar 25th 2026 @ 9PM
Definition
A photograph of one person or more that may range from a head studies to full body length.
This section includes candid photographs and formal portraits.
This may include accessories and backgrounds in character with the subject.
The image may be taken in a formal studio setting or in the community at large.
It may be in colour or monochrome.
Must be a live human being (mannikins, statues or ornaments will not be accepted).
Due: Wed, Apr 22nd 2026 @ 9PM
Definition
Selection for the Australia Cup.
TOPIC: THIS IS AUSTRALIA
Definition: Any image that shows a flavour of life in Australia including landscapes, people, iconic events and iconic places including architecture, birds and animals.
Images may be taken in any of Australia's territories.
We will be looking at the honours and merits from the last 12 months for the DIGITAL image, if you have received an award for a PRINT image, submitting those for selection would be greatly appreciated.
The final entry the club submits must only have 2 image per author.
Due: Tue, May 12th 2026 @ 9PM
Definition
An image containing tones of only one colour.
This includes black-and-white photography (shades of neutral grey ranging from black to white) as well as images toned in sepia, cyan, blue, brown etc.
Partial toning or the addition of an extra colour is not allowed.
Due: Wed, May 27th 2026 @ 9PM
Definition
Images of living untamed or domesticated animals (including pets) in natural or other outdoor environments that may include objects made by humans.
Images may feature single or multiple animals.
An animal (for the purpose of this topic) is defined as a living being (except for humans) that can breathe, move, eat, reproduce and react to the world through its senses (eg sight, smell, hearing).
Therefore mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, fish are all animals for the purpose of this topic.
It is acceptable that evidence of a human environment the animal frequents is included, along with any supporting manmade accessories although photographs may not include people.
Due: Wed, Jun 24th 2026 @ 9PM
Definition
A pictorial representation of land, sea, seashore, or urban environments that capture the aesthetic appeal of these outdoor settings.
It brings the viewer into the scenery and perfectly captures the settings, mood, and feeling in the location.
It can focus on wide-angle shots of landforms, rivers, estuaries, seas, seashore, city skylines, streetscapes and the like.
It may also involve closer shots of features of these environments.
If humans or animals are in the image, they should not be the main foci, but rather be intentionally present to give a sense of scale to the image.
Due: Wed, Jul 22nd 2026 @ 9PM
Definition
Any digital image that has received an honour or merit in the last 12 months will be considered automatically.
However you can submit up to 8 images for particular consideration for the Interclub Competition by submitting 4 print and 4 digital images.
The selection will be done at the start of August, a panel of members will select 3 images that stand out for each of the following categories:
* Aged
* Low Light
* Scapes (an expansive view, no dominant subject)
* Portrait (waist up)
* Open
* Non-A Grade Open (or Novice photographers for clubs who don't have gradings)
Due: Fri, Jul 31st 2026 @ 9PM
Definition
Where the reflections of a subject provide the centre of interest. They may be produced by water, windows, metal etc. Mirror reflections are excluded.
Due: Wed, Aug 26th 2026 @ 9PM
Definition
Is a type of shot that tightly frames a person or object. Close-ups display the most detail, but they do not include the broader scene.
Due: Wed, Sep 23rd 2026 @ 9PM
Definition
A triptych photo is created from three separate photographic panels, which can either be three distinct images that share a common theme or a single larger image divided into three sections.
Due: Wed, Oct 28th 2026 @ 9PM
Definition
Only images captured within the past 12 months from submission date are eligible.
Images that have received an Honour or a Merit may also be submitted into this competition.
The Competition Categories (one Image per Category) are:
• Print - Colour - Open Subject
• Print - Monochrome - Open Subject
• Digital Image - Colour - Open Subject
• Digital Image - Monochrome - Open Subject
The competition is conducted in two grades:
• A grade members
• B (includes both AB and B grade members)
Due: Wed, Nov 11th 2026 @ 9PM
Definition
Nature photography records all branches of natural history except anthropology and archaeology.
This includes all aspects of the physical world, both animate and inanimate, that have not been made or modified by humans.
• Nature images must convey the truth of the scene that was photographed.
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 that threatens the life or welfare of a living organism 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.
• Images taken with subjects under controlled conditions, such as zoos, are allowed.
• Controlling live subjects by chilling, anaesthetic or any other method of restricting natural movement for the purpose of a photograph is not allowed.
EDITING GUIDELINES
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 colour 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).
Due: Wed, Dec 9th 2026 @ 9PM
Definition
This is for testing purposes only
Due: Thu, Jan 1st 2099 @ 9PM