Competition Rules

PFLI COMPETITION RULES AND GUIDELINES Revision June 2025

The following Competition Rules are adopted to guide the operation of the PFLI Competition only. They are not intended to direct the PFLI clubs in the operation of their own competitions. The PFLI accepts whatever the member clubs submit to the monthly PFLI competitions, provided the work conforms to the following specific conditions.

NOTE: Digital Images must be jpegs 1800 pixels on the long side, with a color space of srgb, and a file size of 1000K to 3000K.  

REGULAR SEASON COMPETITIONS

(1) SCHEDULE – 1.       Regular Season Competitions are scheduled for one Sunday each month from October through May. Changes due to Holidays or conflicts are listed on the PFLI Web Page - www.pflionline.com.  The starting time and dates will be published on the PFLI Calendar.

(2) ENTRY DEADLINES – All prints must be entered 30 minutes before the start time. All digital entries must be received by the digital coordinator via e-mail by midnight three days prior to the monthly competition

(3) ELIGIBILITY –All photos submitted must be created by a current PFLI club member in good standing.

(4) CATEGORIES – There will be SIX categories of competition as follows:

A.      Color Prints [A & B Class] shall be either Conventional Color prints or Black and White prints colors with one or more colors

B.      Digital Color Images [A & B Class] Shall be Color images in electronic format and shall follow the same criteria as Color Prints.

C.     Digital Black & White Images [Single class] - Shall be Black and White images in electronic format and shall follow the same criteria as Black and White Prints.

D.     **Creative Digital Images [Single Class] - Shall be Color or Black and White images in electronic format. Creative images are the maker’s artistic alterations of their original photograph. All work must originally be created photographically by the maker, including montages. You CANNOT enter a purely computer-generated image, just as you cannot enter an oil or watercolor painting.  You cannot add clip art or stock images, not your own (i.e., the NASA image of earth from space).

E.      **Macro/Close Up Digital Images [Single Class] Shall be Color or Black and White images that focus on the details of a subject {i.e., center of a flower, bee on a flower, bug, etc.).

**In any given Monthly Competition a maker may submit ONE image - EITHER to Creative or to Macro/Close Up. Throughout the year a maker can put images into both categories but not in the same month.

5. ETHICS - A member of the PFLI shall be ethical in dealing with the PFLI, including when making and presenting photographic images. Images submitted for competition shall originate as photographs by the entrant. Post-processing with image-editing software is permitted, but ALL additions and enhancements must result solely from the creative input of the photographer. If images are combined, all such images MUST have been captured solely by the photographer. Images obtained from outside sources (such as stock photo agencies or commercial software) are NOT permitted in PFLI Competitions. The photographer may use an outside lab to make prints, but the lab may not make changes to the photographer’s original file. The use of ALL AI (Artificial Intelligence) Generative Software to add elements to an image such as skies, animals, rainbows, clouds, reflections, textures or any other AI Additions is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. The PFLI reserves he right to request and review original files from the maker. Anyone caught violating PFLI rules by using AI to enhance their photos can be banned for the remainder to the competition year. A second offense by the same individual can be met with a lifetime banishment from PFLI Competitions.  By virtue of submitting an entry, the photographer certifies the work to be his/her own, including all steps from capture to final edit and certifies that the work is in conformity with this Ethics Statement and with PFLI’s Competition Rules and Guidelines, which are available on the PFLI Website.

Note- Photographs which do not meet the criteria will not be eligible for PFLI Competition, will be disqualified and will not be eligible for PFLI Awards. Photographers who violate PFLI’s Competition Rules and Guidelines and/or Ethics Statement will be banned from competition for a term determined by PFLI with the possibility of permanent expulsion from PFLI. Ethics complaints can be presented to PFLI’s Board of Directors by any PFLI Board Member, Officer or member club. Determination will be made by PFLI’s Board, or by a committee chosen by the Board. PFLI’s mission is to encourage members to experience Photography as art and craft, as visual communication, and as personal creative expression. We believe that our Ethics Statement supports that mission.

6. IDENTICAL IMAGES- You CANNOT enter the same image more than once (but see rule 16). You cannot enter the same image in more than one category, such as a print and a digital image. You cannot enter a color print and convert it to Black and White and enter it again. You cannot enter a BW print and then either tone or hand color it and enter it again.  Two images are considered the SAME if the subject matter, composition (vantage point, lens focal length, etc.) and lighting are substantially identical.

 7. CLASSES- There will be two classes in Color Print, Black and White Print, and Digital Color Images. Class “B” (beginners) and Class “A”(advanced). The Creative Image Category, the Macro/Close Up Category and the Black and White Digital Category will consist of a single class. Any maker receiving three or more scores of 24 points or more, in a B Class, in any one season, must compete in the A class in that category in subsequent seasons.  Makers may elect to compete in the A Category at the PFLI without attaining three 24’s; however, once in the A Category, all makers must remain in that category forever. Each club determines the class for each member at the club competition level. Photographs entered in the wrong class at PFLI are subject to disqualification.

8. ONE CLASS PER CATEGORY- Each maker must compete in only one class per category (i.e., you cannot compete in color prints A and color prints B).

 9. MULTI-CLUB MEMBERSHIP- In cases of multi-club membership, you cannot compete in the same category from both clubs, but you may compete in say, BW prints from one club and Color Prints from another club.

 10. MID SEASON CLASS CHANGES- NO changes in class will occur during the competition season. (Attaining three 24’s in the B class does not move you up to A until the start of the next season.) If an error occurs (for example, a person starts to compete in B Class when they should have been in A Class or vice versa) the error will be corrected for future competitions; however, the past incorrectly labeled photographs may be disqualified.

 11. MAXIMUM ENTRIES PER CLUB- The maximum number of images per club will be determined by the Board of Directors.  Currently clubs may enter up to 15 images per category and class. The entries must be in slates of 5 (i.e., if you are entering eight images in BWB, there would be 5 in the first slate designated A,B,C,D and E and 3 in the second slate designated F,G and H). Only one image per maker is allowed UNLESS you are entering only one slate. Then the maximum number of images per maker is 2.

 12. ENTRY FORMS FOR PRINTS- Regardless of the number of print entries submitted to the PFLI competition, a PFLI Print Entry Form, in duplicate, must be submitted for each category/class. Each form must be completed in its entirety, including club name, club ID number, date, class, category, maker’s name and photo title or description. Clubs entering up to five pieces of work must use letter designations A through E for each entry. Clubs submitting up to 10 pieces of work will continue with the letter sequence F through J and club submitting up to 15 pieces of work will continue with K through O.  After scoring, one copy of the form will be returned to the club while the Competition Chairperson will retain the duplicate.

13. DIGITAL NAMING RULES - No entry forms are required for digital entries. The digital Images files names must conform to the following format: cxx-codename-yz-title.jpg

Where. xx= club number. Codename = makers codename with a maximum of 9 characters.  yz= y is the class (B-Beginner, A-Advanced, K-Digital BW, C-Creative, M-Macro/Close Up) z=slate designation (A through O), title (anything up to 36 characters). NO Spaces are permitted except in the title. (Example:  C27-marycoleman-Aa-bird.jpg)

14. JUDGES- There will be three judges per competition. Judges may be from within a member club or unaffiliated.  Member judges MUST be class A workers in at least one category. Monthly competition Judges will NOT be compensated.

15. SCORING - Each of the judges will score from 5-9 points. Entries from a judge’s own club will be scored by averaging the other two judges’ scores.

16. RE-SUBMITTALS- Work receiving 22 points or higher may NOT be submitted in any future regular monthly competitions.  Work receiving LESS than 22 points may be resubmitted ONE additional time.

17. WORK MUST BE CURRENT- All work submitted to the PFLI must have been exhibited at the club level during the current season, with one exception. Any work that was exhibited at the club after the last PFLI regular season competition in May may be submitted during the following PFLI Season at the discretion of the club or maker. Clubs may elect a different selection process for Creative and Macro/Close Up Images if they choose (there does not have to be a formal exhibition or competition at the club).

18. MAKE-UPS - Any club that completely misses a competition category/class is entitled to a make-up entry. Print make-ups MUST be so marked on the entry forms and must include the month being made up.  In addition, the words, “Make Up” must be noted on each piece of work. No more than TWO Make-Ups are permitted in a given season. Digital image make-ups are designated by replacing the “c” in the file name with the competition month being made up where 1= October, 2 = November, etc. (example: suppose the image c27-johnsmith-ad-bird.jpg is being submitted in January as a make up for December. December is competition           month 3 so the image would be renamed as 327-johnsmith-ad-bird.jpg). Individual makeups are permitted in the event of a failure of an image to project for a technical reason or if an image is mistakenly omitted in the competition.

19. IMAGE SIZES - All Prints must be mounted and range in size from a minimum of 5” x 7” to a maximum of 16”x 20”. The maximum mount size is 16” x 20 “. Digital images must be sized in accordance with the medium to be used in the competition. NOTE: Digital Images must be jpegs 1800 pixels on the long side, with a color space of SRGB, and a file size of 1000K to 3000K.

20. PRINT IDENTIFICATION-  All Prints must have a PFLI Label fully filled out near the top- right-hand corner on the back of the print.  The label will indicate where the top of the image is as well as the orientation of the image.

21. IMPROPER MOUNTING - NO prints are to be mounted in frames, on wood, or in any way so as to damage other prints on either side when placed in a stack for exhibiting at the PFLI. This specifically applies to glue or sticky or rough tape used for the purpose of mounting the print or label. Prints so mounted may be rejected at the sole discretion of the Competition Committee.

(21) LIABILITY – The PFLI is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen prints.

LEONARD VICTOR MEMORIAL COMPETITION (Revision June 2025)

(1) ELIGIBILITY –

B workers: Any B worker receiving 23 points or higher in DPB, DBW, CRE, MAC, or Print in any Regular Monthly Competition from the current season is eligible to be entered into the Leonard Victor Memorial Competition.

A workers: Any A worker receiving 24 points or higher in DPA, DBW or Color or BW Prints in any regular monthly competition is eligible to be entered in the Leonard Victor Memorial Competition. Any A worker receiving 23 points in CRE images or MAC images in any regular monthly competition is eligible to be entered into the Leonard Victor Memorial Competition.

(2) NUMBER OF ENTRIES – There are two categories: PRINT and DIGITAL. Each worker may submit up to Three (3) pieces per category in prints and two (2) per category in digital (i.e., 3 Color Prints, 3 BW Prints, 2 Digital Color images, 2 BW Digital Images and 2 Creative and 2 Macro/Close Up for a maximum of 14) as long as they meet the criteria in 1 above.

(3) SUBCATEGORIES – There are 51 possible sub-categories

    DIGITAL AND PRINTS (CPA,CPB,BWA,BWB,DPA,DPB,DBW)

 Flora

Scenic Landscape

Scenic Structures

People Portraits

People Activities

Animals

Other

 DIGITAL ONLY - single group

Creative

Macro/Close Up

 A Maker MUST enter his/her images into the appropriate category starting in competition year 2025-2026. If the competition team determines the image is entered in the incorrect category it will be moved to the appropriate category or a maker can enter another eligible image. If the error is not discovered until the day of the competition, the image may be disqualified from the competition.

Photos that clearly fit into another category CANNOT otherwise be entered into “Other”.

 4. AWARDS- A 1st Place plaque will be awarded in each sub-category. 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive a medal. All first-place winners in DIGITAL will compete with each other for the best overall Digital Color A, Digital Color B, and Digital BW. These 3 images along with the first place in Creative and Macro/Close Up will compete against each other for the Grand Prize: Dick Hunt Award in Digital.   All 1st Place Prints (Color A, Color B, BWA and BWB) will compete against each other for the Grand Prize: Dick Hunt Award in Prints.

**Photographers who receive multiple awards will be given a single plaque listing their awards.

                                        The Names of all first-place winners will not be revealed until after the image is chosen for the Grand Prize, The Dick Hunt Award.                                 

5. SCORING- There will be 6 judges. In the event there are ties, there will be additional rounds to select a winner.

6. LIMITATIONS OF AWARDS - No one person will be eligible to win more than one award in a given sub-category.

7. MINIMUM NUMBER OF ENTRIES- In order for a sub-category to run in the LV Competition, there MUST be a minimum of 5 entries. If there are 5 entries a first place will be awarded.  There MUST be at least 7 entries to have a first and second place awarded. There MUST be at least 8 entries for a first, second and third place to be awarded.

8. JUDGES- The judges may be active members of any PFLI affiliated club or unattached. Judges are NOT compensated.

**NOTE - The PFLI reserves the right to adjust the basic criteria for the Leonard Victor competition each year. Any changes that deviate from what is in the current rules (i.e. point eligibility, entries, etc.) shall be announced by the Board of Directors at least one month before the date of the competition.  This includes the minimum score required in each category, the number of judges, the sub-categories, and the distribution of the awards (minimum number of entries).

27 POINT MEDAL AWARDS

A 27 point medal will be awarded to any image in any category/class, attaining 27 points in a regular season competition.

ALL STAR AWARDS

At the conclusion of the season, an All Star list will be compiled for each category/class (CPA, BWA, CPB, BWB, DPA, DPB, DBW, Creative and Macro/Close Up) based on the maker’s average for all entries in that category/class. You must have entered at least five images (except for CRE and MAC four images) and averaged 23 points or better to be included on the list. There will be a first, second and third place awarded in each category and class.

In addition, there will be a first, second, and third place Super All Star Award for makers who are competing in 2, 3, 4 or 5 categories. To be eligible you must have entered at least 5 images in each category/class (combined CRE/MAC) and averaged 23 points or high overall.

HALL OF FAME AWARDS

To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, a maker must accumulate 50 points over a minimum of a 5-year period. Points are awarded as follows:

For finishing in the top 3 on any “A” All Star List.....5 points.

For scoring a perfect 27 points in any “A” category .....4 points.

For winning a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd “A” class Leonard Victor Award...3 points

A commemorative plaque will be presented to all Hall of Fame inductees.

GENERAL COMMENTS

Before leaving a competition, each club representative should make sure that they have all their own prints AND no prints from another club. Club Representatives should also make sure they have the score sheet for their club. Please contact the Competition Chairperson or an executive Board Member in the event of any lost work. The Competition Rules are designed to help PFLI competitions run more smoothly.  If a violation of the rules is detected, or in the event, another photographer files a complaint, the PFLI Executive Board or Competition Committee Chairperson will take appropriate action, including disqualification of the offending photographs from current and/or previous competitions.  Most disqualifications result from photos being entered in the wrong class (i.e. A in place of B) or by a person entering 2 or more images when they are entitled to only 1. Unfortunately, these mistakes are usually not caught until it is too late to correct. Be careful. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding these rules, please feel free to contact any member of the PFLI Executive Board or the Competition Chairperson.

REASON FOR LATEST REVISION - Revisions to the specific Competition Rules and Leonard Victor competition and general editing by the Competition Committee: Mary Coleman, Dick Hunt, Harry Loud, Suzanne Goldstein and Dale Goldstein.  Revised June 2025