I. ELIGIBILITY
This section defines who may participate in Camera Club of the Philippines contests and the conditions for maintaining eligibility.
Section 1.01 Any member in good standing and not on leave-of-absence may enter the Monthly Theme and On-The-Spot (OTS) competitions.
Section 1.02 To remain eligible throughout the year, a member must have no outstanding account. At least fifty percent (50%) of annual dues must be paid on or before the February meeting to be eligible from that month onward. The remaining fifty percent (50%) must be paid on or before the July meeting to continue competing. Entries of members with arrears shall be declined. If inadvertently accepted, scores earned during the affected period shall be nullified and subsequent payment shall not restore said scores.
II. ENTRIES
This section sets out the contest formats, print and file standards, and limits on the number of entries per member.
Section 2.01 Monthly Theme and OTS competition formats from January to October, unless otherwise modified:
(a) Single Shot Color Print (SSCP) – Color print from a single shot or frame. (Restricted)
(b) Color Print (CP) – Color print. (Unrestricted)
(c) Black and White Print (B&WP) – Black and white print. (Unrestricted)
(d) Single Shot Color Digital (SSCD) – Color digital from a single shot or frame. (Restricted)
(e) Color Digital (CD) – Color digital. (Unrestricted)
(f) Black and White Digital (B&WD) – Black and white digital. (Unrestricted)
(g) On-The-Spot (OTS) – Original JPEG capture, projected only. (In-camera)
Section 2.02 Prints must be on photographic or double-weight paper, 120–300 GSM, size 11” x 14”. Textured fine art or watercolor papers are not allowed.
Section 2.03 Prints may have borders of any size or shape. Nothing may be pasted on the surface.
Section 2.04 All print entries must be labeled at the back with entrant’s name, format, theme, date, and orientation arrow. No identifying marks may appear on the image surface.
Section 2.05 Maximum of two (2) entries per member per contest unless otherwise specified.
III. IMAGES
This section establishes authorship and photographic origin as the core principles governing image eligibility.
Section 3.01 Images must originate as photographs captured by the entrant using a camera, including handheld, mobile, or drone-mounted cameras.
Section 3.02 Images or components must not originate from non-photographic sources.
Section 3.03 All components must be the entrant’s own work, except clearly incidental copyrighted works appearing as part of the photographed scene.
Section 3.04 Images entered in any contest within the last twenty-four (24) months are disallowed.
Section 3.05 Posting on social media is allowed before and after the contest date.
Section 3.06 Previously winning, published, or publicly exhibited images are subject to a 24-month prohibition.
IV. POST-PROCESSING AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Editing rules and AI use
Section 4.01 Global post-processing includes exposure, color, contrast, cropping, dodging, burning, spotting, and cleanup.
Section 4.02 Assistive AI is allowed.
Assistive AI refers to tools that enhance or optimize an image derived from an original photographic capture, without introducing visual elements not present in the original scene.
Examples of assistive AI use include noise reduction, sharpening, tonal adjustment, upscaling, and minor object cleanup.
Section 4.03 Generative AI is prohibited. Generative AI includes any process that creates, replaces, or synthesizes pictorial elements not originally captured by the camera, including AI-generated subjects, skies, backgrounds, or prompt-based image generation.
Section 4.04 Layering, compositing, or combining multiple images into one image is prohibited unless expressly allowed under an unrestricted category.
Section 4.05 The Contest Committee may request original files and disclosure of postprocessing workflow when AI use is suspected.
V. SUBMISSION
Strict deadline for submission applies.
Section 5.01 All print and digital entries for Monthly Contests must be submitted no later than seven (7) calendar days before the scheduled Monthly Meeting, unless otherwise declared or changed by the Contest Chairman.
Section 5.02 File naming conventions and original file requirements shall apply as prescribed by the Contest Committee.
Section 5.03 Submission grants the Club permission to archive and use entries for publications, exhibits, and Club presentations.
Section 5.04 Entries cannot be withdrawn once logged.
VI. DISQUALIFICATIONS AND COMPLAINTS
This section exists to protect fairness, integrity, and confidence in the contest process for all participants.
Section 6.01 The Contest Committee Chairman has authority to interpret and enforce contest rules.
Section 6.02 Complaints must be filed in writing within five (5) days after the contest date.
Section 6.03 Any form of cheating results in disqualification, nullification of scores, and possible Board sanction.
VII. ON-THE-SPOT (OTS) COMPETITIONS
Section 7.01 Only original JPEG or HEIC files captured during the official OTS
period are allowed. No post-editing after capture is permitted.
Section 7.02 The OTS coverage area and schedule shall be published in advance. Entries shot outside the designated territory are disqualified.
Section 7.03 Props or models brought by entrants are prohibited, unless otherwise allowed by the Contest Chairman.
Section 7.04 No assistants are allowed during OTS shoots
Section 7.05 Drone photography is allowed in OTS competitions beginning 2026, provided the drone is personally piloted by the entrant and the photograph is taken by the same entrant during the official OTS period, and not flown by another person, and all other OTS rules apply.
Event-specific limitations may be imposed by the Contest Committee.
VIII. CONTEST COMMITTEE AND JUDGES
This section governs the administration and judging of contests.
Section 8.01 The Contest Committee is chaired by a Trustee.
Section 8.02 Each contest shall be judged by a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) judges.
Section 8.03 Prior to the January Monthly Meeting, the Contest Chairman shall submit a complete roster of judges for all Monthly and OTS competitions for the year, subject to Board approval.
Section 8.04 Judges’ identities shall remain undisclosed until the contest proper.
IX. SCORING AND AWARDS
This section outlines the scoring framework and awards, with detailed scoring mechanics further explained during judge briefings and in Contest Committee guidelines.
Section 9.01 Entries shall be scored on a scale of 1.0 to 5.0, with decimals encouraged.
Section 9.02 Tie-breaking procedures shall follow re-judging or highest individual scores.
Section 9.03 Existing Master Photographer Cup scoring and year-end awards shall continue unless modified by Board resolution.
X. MEMBER’S CHOICE AWARD
Section 10.01 Beginning February 2026, a Member’s Choice Award shall be given monthly as a way for members to collectively recognize images they appreciate and respond to. Members may vote for up to five (5) images from qualified entries.
Section 10.02 Monthly Member’s Choice winners shall be voted upon at year-end to determine the Member’s Choice Image of the Year.
Section 10.03 The Member’s Choice Award is separate from juried awards and does not affect Master Cup scoring.
XI. PARTICIPATION OF THE CONTEST CHAIRMAN
For avoidance of doubt, this section clarifies the participation of the Contest Chairman as a competing member and does not alter general eligibility principles.
Section 11.01 The Contest Chairman may participate in the Master Photographer Cup and other competitions, provided he or she does not take part in judging, scoring, or deliberation of contests in which entries are submitted, and receives no procedural advantage.