The PORTRAIT OPEN CATEGORY is for COMPOSITE or NON-COMPOSITE entries

Photographs taken with the intention of illustrating a character or identity. This category is for conceptual and/or interpretive photographic portraits. There are no restrictions on the type of portrait entered.
» Entries may be commissioned or self-commissioned.
» An entry may be presented as a series, such as diptychs, triptychs, etc.
» Includes photographic portraits of pets and animals.
» Except where specified as permitted above, entries must comply with all rules, entry terms & conditions, and the Open – Composite entry criteria.

OPEN CATEGORIES - ENTRY CRITERIA

The open categories are intended to reward technical and creative excellence in photographing and presenting images that allow for minor and major post-production, including compositing techniques, but excludes the use of computer generated elements (eg. where the computer automatically renders an element such as a person, landscape, sky or other item that the camera did not capture.)

Textures

Except where a texture has been photographed or created by the entrant.

Permitted techniques:

• All forms of post-production
• Composite images
• Textures and borders, (must have been photographed by the entrant)
• Use of entrant-created presets and/or third-party presets/plugins, such as, Nik, Luminar, etc.
• All forms of in-camera techniques including any form of multiple exposure.
• FAMILY CATEGORY ONLY - Third-party physical backdrops with identifiable elements are permitted in the Family category only as this is considered part of
the day to day practice of the family portrait industry.

Exclusions:

• Third-party digital backdrops, textures or other elements are not permitted
• Third-party physical backdrops with identifiable elements are not permitted with the exception of the Family category. Third-party physical backdrops with
subtle patterns can be used in any category.
• Note: It is the responsibility of the photographer to ensure that any backdrops purchased from a thirdparty
are not excluded for use in a competition entry
• Excludes the use of computer generated elements (e.g.. where the computer automatically renders an element such as a person, landscape, sky or other item that the camera did not capture).