Set Subjects and Definitions for 2026

Topic Definition Competition Month
Nature
[2026 Qld Interclub comp]

 

 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. 

See below for full definition.		 February
Scapes
[2026 Qld Interclub comp]		 A pictorial representation of land, sea, seashore, or urban environments that captures 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 focus but rather be intentionally present to give a sense of scale to the image.   March
People
[2026 Qld Interclub comp]		 A photograph of a person or people that must show all of the person/s from head to foot (no head to waist close-ups). The person/s in the photograph must be the focal subject, however the image could also depict their environment or a broader scene. Can be posed or candid. Must be a live human being (mannikins, statues or ornaments will not be accepted).   April
Nautical
[2026 Qld Interclub comp]		 Relating to ships, sailors, sailing and navigation of the sea.  May
Minimalism
[2026 Qld Interclub comp]		 Image making that relies on simplistic compositions, heavy use of empty space and elimination of clutter. The main subject is often kept small in the frame or its presence kept to a minimum and exceptionally simple.  June
Bokeh
[Club topic #1]		 Create an image that utilizes the aesthetic quality of blur in the out-of-focus parts of a photograph. This effect should be created by photographic technique and not by post-production editing. 

The bokeh should be a deliberate feature of the composition, highlighting the diffusion of light sources or reflections into pleasing, often circular, shapes. The subject in focus should be clearly defined, but the out-of-focus background/foreground must be as aesthetically impactful as the sharp element. 		 July
Leading lines
[Club topic #2]		 The image should use compositional lines to actively guide the viewer's eye through the photograph, creating a sense of depth, movement, and visual structure  August
Elemental weather
[Club topic #3]		 Images should show weather as a force of nature, capturing the dynamics of air, water, and/or light. Focus on the dynamic process and/or wild beauty of weather, rather than the aftermath.  

Submissions focused solely on the colour and light of sunrises or sunsets will not meet the definition. 		 September
In good hands
[Club topic #4]		 The subject calls for images that capture the essence of trust, capable care, and protection. Focus on the relationship between the care-giver and the cared-for person, object, animal or situation, illustrating moments where skill, gentle attention, or steadfast reliability ensures a positive outcome or preserves something valuable. This could be interpreted literally or figuratively.  October 
Annual Open   November

 

FULL NATURE DEFINITION (APS definition)

  • 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).

Editing techniques that are not allowed:

  • Removing, adding to, moving or changing any part of an image, except for cropping and straightening.

  • Adding a vignette during processing.

  • Blurring parts of the image during processing to hide elements in the original scene.

  • Darkening parts of the image during processing to hide elements in the original scene.

  • All conversions other than to complete grayscale monochrome.

  • Conversion of parts of an image to monochrome, or partial toning, desaturation or over-saturation of colour.

SUBJECT MATTER STATEMENT

  • The fundamental rule that must be observed at all times is that the welfare of living creatures is more important than any photograph. This means that practices such as baiting of subjects with a living creature and removal of birds from nests, for the purpose of obtaining a photograph, are highly unethical, and such photographs are not allowed. Under no circumstances may a living creature be placed in a situation where it will be killed, injured or stressed for the purpose of obtaining a photograph. Images that show live creatures being fed to captive animals, birds or reptiles are not permitted under any circumstances.

  • There are also concerns about the use of aerial photography, drones, helicopters, low flying aircraft. These should not cause any interference with other individuals or animals which causes a disturbance in their normal activity or disrupt the way any individuals or animals interact with their environment. Entrants must comply with all relevant laws and regulations, associated with aerial photography, in the country in which the image was taken.



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