Welcome to our photography club’s subject definitions page, where creativity meets clarity. Here, we’ve curated a concise guide to our chosen subjects, designed to inspire and inform our members’ photographic explorations. Whether you’re drawn to capturing the play of light in urban landscapes or the subtle beauty of macro details, this resource is your gateway to expanding your photographic horizons. Let your imagination roam freely as you delve into the diverse world of photographic subjects we’ve meticulously outlined for you.
For more detailed definitions please visit the PSSA website: Subject Definitions
Nature
No manipulation allowed.
NATURE photography is restricted to the use of the photographic process to depict observations from all branches of natural history, except anthropology and archaeology, in such a fashion that a well informed person will be able to identify the subject material and to certify as to its honest presentation.
- Human elements shall not be present, except on the rare occasion where those human elements enhance the nature story.
- The presence of scientific bands on wild animals is acceptable.
- Photographs of artificially produced hybrid plants or animals, domestic and farm animals, mounted specimens, or obviously set arrangements, are ineligible, as is any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement. Manipulation includes but is not limited to adding or removing any element by means other than cropping.
- The faithful representation of what was captured at the time of shooting must be maintained. Digital & printing adjustments are only acceptable if limited to minor cleaning work (removing dust spots), levels, curves, colour, saturation and contrast work, dodging and burning. Sharpening is allowed.
- Compositing, multiple exposures, sandwich/montage shots and double exposures are not permitted except for new digital techniques such as HDR, stacking and stitching where the end result is a faithful representation of the original scene.
Veilig by my Ma - Gonnie Myburgh
Open
Manipulation allowed.
Open including Pictorial images with wide visual appeal.
Any subject that is treated pictorially, embodying the elements of good design, arrangement or composition, which reflects the personal interpretation of the photographer, also including Visual Art, Altered Reality and Avant-garde photography as a means of expression and as a vehicle for the author to make a personal photographic statement.
The important part of the definition for Visual Art / Altered Reality and Avant-garde is that these images should go beyond the straightforward pictorial rendering of a scene.
Kickstart life with Asics - Alta Oosthuizen
Documentary
No manipulation allowed.
Including Photo Journalism, Photo Travel, Sport and Street Photography
Photo Journalism is an image that tells a news story and is distinguished from other close branches of photography by the qualities of:
- Timeliness -the images have meaning in the context of a recently published record of events.
- Objectivity – the situation implied by the images is a fair and accurate representation of the events they depict in both content and tone.
- Narrative – the images combine with other news elements to make facts relatable to the viewer or reader on a cultural level.
Photo Travel:
Defines a travel photo as an image that expresses the feeling of a time and place, portrays a land, its people, or a culture in its natural state, and has no geographical limitations.
Sports Photography:
Covers any aspect of a sporting event. Images must depict an active pastime or recreation involving physical exertion and/or skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often of a competitive nature. Images in this section could include, for instance, the judge or umpire in a sporting event.
Alaska Denali Glass Train Tree Reflection - Quinton Boshoff
Scapes
Manipulation allowed.
Scapes including
- Land Sscape
- Sea Scape and
- City scape
Although scapes is an open category, and manipulation is allowed, images in this category shall be single images. Scape-type images made up of multiple images (Composites) shall be entered in the open category and will be disqualified from the scapes category.
Last Light at Blouberg - Francois Venter
Portraiture
Manipulation allowed.
Human portraiture only.
Including
- full length,
- head and shoulders
- body parts
- fashion
- boudoir, etc.
Although portraiture is an open category, and manipulation is allowed, images in this category shall be single images. Portrait-type images made up of multiple images (Composites) shall be entered in the open category and will be disqualified from the portrait category.
Kierts regop - Adri du Plessis
