categories
Images that become part of the Best of the Best internationally MUST set the highest standard and demonstrate a strong photographic foundation supported by post production enhancement opportunities. Images, to become part of the Top Ten in each category must be of unsurpassed quality in ALL aspects of original capture, retouching and creative enhancement, technical and artistic excellence.
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Commercial
Images with an intended use by a commercial client to promote or brand a product or company. Advertising, fashion, beauty, still life, food, events, architecture, corporate and industrial photography are all included in this category.
Composite and Non-composite images and highly manipulated images (Photoshop or similar) are allowed. AI or CGI elements are not permitted.
The original captured image(s) (in raw or jpg) must be provided if requested by the WPC.
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3 images will be selected from submissions to represent WPC Team Australia in this category
Illustration/Digital Art
An illustration/Digital Art entry is a graphic depiction of any concept or subject. The main principle of an illustration is to convey a concept, story or activity in such a way as to provide a visual representation.
Composite and non-composite images and highly manipulated images (Photoshop or similar) are allowed in this category. AI or CGI elements are not permitted.
The original captured image(s) (in raw or jpg) must be provided if requested by the WPC.
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3 images will be selected from submissions to represent WPC Team Australia in this category
Nature (landscape)
This category is for photography that is devoted to displaying natural elements such as landscapes, cityscapes, plants, flowers, trees and close ups of natural scenes and textures. Aerial, macro and astrophotography are included in this category.
Minor adjustments to crop, rotate, selective dodge and burn, reduce noise, sharpen, adjust colour/black-and-white, and minor cleaning jobs to remove sensor dust or chromatic aberration are permitted.
Composite images are allowed through photo stitching, focus stacking and multiple exposure shot at the same time and in the same place.
It is NOT permitted to add, delete or move elements by cloning, healing, patching, content aware fill, liquify or similar tools.
The original captured image(s) (in raw or jpg) must be provided if requested by the WPC.
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3 images will be selected from submissions to represent WPC Team Australia in this category
Nature (wildlife)
Images must illustrate the astonishing diversity of wildlife from all parts of the world in a natural habitat. Images made in a controlled environment (e.g. a zoo) are not allowed.
Minor adjustments to crop, rotate, selective dodge and burn, reduce noise, sharpen, adjust colour/black-and-white, and minor cleaning jobs to remove sensor dust or chromatic aberration are permitted.
Composite and highly manipulated images are not allowed. It is NOT allowed to add, delete or move elements by cloning, healing, patching, content aware fill, liquify or similar tools. Images created by “baiting” the animal are not allowed.
The original captured image(s) (in raw or jpg) must be provided if requested by the WPC.
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3 images will be selected from submissions to represent WPC Team Australia in this category
Illustrative portrait
Images where styling, creative photo techniques, extensive makeup or props are allowed and highly technical postproduction techniques are encouraged and may be an essential part of the final story in the photograph. Entries in this category can include composite images and images that have been highly manipulated or stylized. All contributing elements must be made by the submitting photographer. Stock images are not permitted as elements within the final image.
The original captured image(s) (in raw or jpg) must be provided if requested by the WPC.
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3 images will be selected from submissions to represent WPC Team Australia in this category
Natural Portrait
Images where lighting, posing, and highlighting of the person’s NATURAL appearance, essence, personality and character is the goal in this category. Images must tell a story about the personality of the subject(s) including their culture and/or traditions if applicable. Images that use noticeable makeup, enhancement, excessive skin retouching or props to transform the natural appearance must be entered in Illustrative portrait or Illustration/Digital art categories.
Postproduction techniques are not to be an essential part of the final story in the photograph.
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3 images will be selected from submissions to represent WPC Team Australia in this category
Reportage/Photojournalism
Images that illustrate an actual public or nonpublic event (excluding sports). Images that display life, human interest, news telling or record of events. Successful images will likely have high impact and lasting emotional response.
Adjustments to crop, rotate, selective dodge and burn, reduce noise, sharpen, adjust colour/black-and-white, and minor cleaning jobs to remove sensor dust or chromatic aberration are permitted.
It is NOT allowed to combine several photos into one image (panorama, multi-exposure, etc), or add, delete or move elements by, for instance, cloning, healing, patching, content aware fill, liquify or similar tools. The original captured image(s) (in raw or jpg) must be provided if requested by the WPC.
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3 images will be selected from submissions to represent WPC Team Australia in this category
sPORTS
Images must be from a real sporting event that illustrate an actual public or nonpublic sporting event. This category is for all sports related photography featuring any competitive or recreational sport.
Adjustments to crop, rotate, selective dodge and burn, reduce noise, sharpen, adjust colour/black-and-white, and minor cleaning jobs to remove sensor dust or chromatic aberration are permitted.
It is NOT allowed to combine several photos into one image (panorama, multi-exposure, etc.), or add, delete or move elements by, for instance, cloning, healing, patching, content aware fill, liquify or similar tools.
The original captured image(s) (in raw or jpg) must be provided if requested by the WPC Competition Committee.
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3 images will be selected from submissions to represent WPC Team Australia in this category
Wedding OPEN
Wedding Open entries must be photographed in connection with an actual wedding event. Images must reflect the personality of the subject(s). Images must include some visual reference(s) that define the wedding event.
Composite images are allowed so long as each element used was shot at the same wedding. All elements used must be created by the submitting photographer.
Commercial, Illustrative and Fashion images are not permitted in the wedding category and must be entered into Commercial or Illustration/Digital categories.
In instances where an image is questioned about being from a real wedding event, the Team Captain will be asked to provide additional supporting images confirming the image was taken from a real wedding event (e.g. bride and groom, groups, ceremony etc). The original captured image(s) (in raw or jpg) must be provided if requested by the WPC.
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3 images will be selected from submissions to represent WPC Team Australia in this category
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Wedding documentary
An image must be captured at an actual wedding documenting the event without posing, prompting, or intervention of any kind from the photographer.
Adjustments to crop, rotate, selective dodge and burn, reduce noise, sharpen, adjust colour/black-and-white, and minor cleaning jobs to remove sensor dust or chromatic aberration are permitted.
Only single capture images will be accepted. Composite and multiple exposure images will not be accepted.
It is not permitted to add, delete or move elements by, for instance, cloning, healing, patching, content aware fill, liquify or similar tools.
The original captured image(s) (in raw or jpg) must be provided if requested by the WPC.
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3 images will be selected from submissions to represent WPC Team Australia in this category
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