The purpose of this document is to create a set of guidelines for discriminating between the Categories of Traditional Photography and Digital Photo Art .
For the purposes of this document we will define Traditional Photography as a process for which the end result is an image that is created by photographing a subject whether with film or digital camera and then converting the resulting image into either a print or digital file without substantially modifying the original subject as at was envisioned by the photographer at the moment of capture. We cannot create an exhaustive list of alterations that are allowed under this definition, but by providing a partial list and using common sense we believe that most images can be categorized without painful effort.
The following alterations are deemed allowable under this definition:
Cosmetic Enhancements including modification of
- Contrast
- Saturation
- Sharpness
- Cropping
- Horizontal Flipping (equivalent to reversing a slide)
- Removal of insignificant elements from the image to make it “cleaner”
- Converting the image to B&W, monochrome, or toned (e.g. sepia)
We then further define Digital Photo Art as the creation of an image or digital file using a method or methods that does substantially alter the original subject as at was seen in the eye of the photographer at the moment of capture.
Examples of significant changes could include:
- Combining multiple images together
- Moving elements
- Cloning large elements (e.g. animals)
- Applying Artistic Filters
- Multiple Exposures – not done in camera
Final Arbiter:
We recommend that great weight be given to the classification assigned by the creator using the guidelines set forth. The final arbiter of classification will be the judge or curator of a given exhibition / show / or contest.
