Competition topics, info about winning images and the winners
DPI-SIG Competitions
DPI-SIG photography competitions are held 3 times annually, in January, April and August. The competition will generally include 4 photography categories:
A maximum of 3 entries per category, and a maximum of 4 entries per competition
Why Have Competitions?
- We get feedback on our work in a consistent way
- We see what other members are up to
- We see how to increase our skills (or, at least, what increased skills look like)
Here’s a video on how to enter
FCCC Competitions
Members in good standing of DPI-SIG are eligible to enter Florida Camera Club Council Competitions.
Click here to visit the FCCC competition page
Winter 2025 Competition
Competition Opens January 15 – Closes February 15 Judging will be 2/16 – 2/23
Enter Images Here for Winter 2025 Competition
Winter Special Category: Human Portraits
HUMAN PORTRAITURE is a photographic genre deeply rooted in tradition. It is intentional, carefully produced, and often manifests in the posing of its subjects. Technically, it frequently employs studio equipment and directed lighting to create controlled circumstances for photographing subjects.
Portraiture is about more than just taking a picture—it is about creating an image that connects with the viewer on a deeper level. It is more than just a simple likeness; it reveals the subject’s character, mood, and story. This category celebrates the art of capturing the human form, expression, and personality through photography.
In this Competition, submissions must focus on human subjects, capturing the depth and complexity of the individual. Photographs should evoke emotion and reflect the unique qualities of the person portrayed, whether through facial expression, body language, or environmental context.
Whether your style is minimalist or richly detailed, traditional or experimental, the goal is to convey the subject’s story or character through your lens. We encourage photographers to think beyond conventional approaches and explore new ways to represent humanity.
In this category there should be a balance between technical perfection and creative expression. Some images may intentionally deviate from technical norms to achieve a more profound artistic or emotional impact, but the following elements should be considered by the photographer:
Subject and Posing
- Focuses on capturing the essence of the individual, showcasing personality, identity, or mood.
- Intentional posing that aligns with the overall theme or story being conveyed, considering posture, gaze, and gestures.
- Attention to the subject’s comfort and natural expressions to achieve authenticity.
Lighting
- Mastery of light to accentuate the subject’s features and create mood.
- Studio lighting setups or natural light techniques used deliberately to achieve control and highlight contours.
- Balanced interplay between highlights and shadows to add depth and visual impact.
- Background and Environment
- Thoughtful selection of backgrounds and situations that complement the subject rather than distract.
- Inclusion of environmental elements, props, or settings that add narrative or context to the portrait.
Composition
- Consideration for balance, negative space, and alignment. Does the framing draw the viewer’s eye to the subject?
- Focus and Detail
- Sharpness, softness or creative focus used purposefully to emphasize the subject’s features or mood.
- Attention to the eyes, as they are often the focal point of a compelling portrait.
- Consideration of details such as textures, wardrobe, and accessories to enrich the visual narrative.
- Overall technical execution (e.g., avoiding distractions, achieving smooth bokeh, etc).
Mood and Emotion
- How well the photograph conveys the mood and portrays atmosphere, personality, or emotions of the subject. Are the facial expressions and body language authentic and compelling?
- Use of light, pose, and expression to deepen emotional impact.
- Does the portrait capture the subject’s essence or evoke an emotional response?
Environmental Portraits: This sub-genre may include items, structures, places, or props that add to the overall coherence of the image, such as Santa Claus in his workshop.
Acceptable Treatments: Black and white or monotone images are acceptable. However, any post-processing treatment which renders the image in such a way that it falls into the description of the “Creative Category” of DPI-SIG competitions, is not allowed in this category.
Candid Photography : While candid images are not typically representative of the genre, submissions are not strictly precluded. However, such images should strive to align with the intentional qualities that define the genre.
Self Portraits: Self-portraits and “selfies” may also be representative of the genre.
Artificial Intelligence: No portion of the image may be constructed through the use of Artificial Intelligence. See the reference to Artificial Intelligence in the General Rules for DPI-SIG Photo Competitions.
Competition General Rules
Any member in good standing may enter up to FOUR (4) images.
You may enter 4 images as long as they are not all entered into a single category. That is, up to THREE (3) images in any ne category and ONE (1) image in any other category, or any combination thereof.
You may change any image until the cutoff date has passed.
Any member in good standing of DPI-SIG shall be eligible to enter any DPI-SIG Competition.
No image that has previously received a ribbon in a DPI-IG competition may be re-entered in any future competition.
Entries into the annual Year-End Judging shall be limited to only images that have received an award during the season. They will be automatically entered.
Eligibility of entries will be confirmed by the Competition Director or designate prior to publication on the website and acceptance for judging. This may take a day or two. When confirmed, the image will be published on the Current Competition website. If an image is not confirmed, the photographer will be notified by email, and the image will be deleted from the website. The member may enter another image for consideration.
Only images that are totally the work of the individual photographer may be submitted. Work that is not completely your own is not allowed. Clip art and photographs obtained online or from other sources are not allowed.
Another person’s artwork, such as a painting, sculpture, street art, etc. may be included in an image as long as there is evidence that the maker used the artwork as only a part of their own image in an effort to tell a story or to create an interesting visual.
Images that are sexually suggestive beyond normally acceptable boundaries or sexually explicit are not allowed. Acceptance to the competition will be determined by the DPI-SIG Competition Director and Competition Committee, whose decision is final.
No portion of any image submitted to a DPI-SIG Photo Competition may be constructed through the use of Artificial Intelligence (ie.Firefly, Midjourney, Bing, Leonardo et al.)
Category Definitions
Traditional Color: Color images compete in this category, except for those in the Creative category. Any adjustment or enhancement is allowed while keeping the image’s appearance realistic and natural. High Dynamic Range (HDR) images are allowed as these images differ only by a greater range of luminosity, or dynamic range. Images in this category cannot appear obviously manipulated. The key to this category is to maintain an image’s natural appearance.
Traditional Mono: Monochromatic images, which are either completely desaturated or contain only a single-color tone (e.g. sepia, red, blue, etc.), are eligible for this category. Any adjustment or enhancement is allowed while keeping the image realistic. Naturally-appearing, High Dynamic Range (HDR) images are allowed, as these images differ only by exposure. Images in this category cannot be obviously manipulated, or they belong in Creative.
Creative: DPI-SIG defines a creative image as a color or monochromatic image that is “recognizably altered by manipulating a composite of more than one unique image or by an obvious change in natural color, form, shape or any combination of the three.†The original image, any alterations, and all incorporated elements must be created by the entrant. The original photographic content predominates and must be identifiable. However, the creative alteration must be apparent. Obvious High Dynamic Range (HDR) images are considered creative images. If any supplementary images are found to have been taken from another source belonging to someone else, the submitted image will be disqualified. The committee has the right to request the original images if questioned. The key to this category is that the image must appear obviously manipulated.
Exception – Infrared images are permitted in the Traditional Color and Monochrome categories, as long as they appear as ‘natural and realistic’ as possible, and meet the requirements otherwise for either category. Any submission of an obviouslymanipulated infrared image should be entered in the Creative category.
Theme: when so indicated, images will be accepted into a theme category. A descriptive specification for the theme will be included on the competition web page to provide guidance on creating or selecting theme images. Themes may be topical, such as “fog” or “silhouettes” or “pure Florida”, or may be technical, such as “high key / low key”. Unless otherwise noted in the theme specification, theme images may be color, monochrome or creative. As with other categories, entries in the theme category are limited to 3 entries.