50 Awesome Day Trips from J.Leigh Daboll

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The First character represents the category your are entering the image in, the second character is the division you compete in, and the number is the image number for the year from 01-12. Please be sure to include the [...]]]> Digital Images submitted to competition should be named using the following example:

n_b_01_FirstName LastName_Title of Image.jpg

The First character represents the category your are entering the image in, the second character is the division you compete in, and the number is the image number for the year from 01-12. Please be sure to include the underscore (_) between fields and a space between words in your name and title.

Categories:
A-Action
C-Creative
J-Photojournalism
N-Nature
P-Pictorial
T-Portrait

Divisions:
B-Bronze
S-Silver
G-Gold
D-Diamond

For example. I am a Diamond category photographer. If I were to enter my first image as a Portrait, titled “Two Neices” the file name of the image would be:

T_D_01_Chris Empey_Two Neices.jpg

Images are to be sized with 1024 pixels being the maximum dimension on the horizontal side of your image and 768 pixels being the maximum dimension on the vertical side of your image and should be in the sRGB colour space for best results.

Click on the image below to view it full size.

You may download a copy of the guidelines at http://www.niagarafallscameraclub.org/downloads/?did=1

You may also want to download our handbook, available at http://www.niagarafallscameraclub.org/downloads/?did=14. Finally, last year Terry posted a short document on how competitions are scored. That can be viewed here.

Program Mon Sep. 12, 2011 – 7:00 PM – Landscape Photography presented by Dermot O’Kane Mon Sep. 19, 2011 – 7:00 PM – Introductory Photo Course Mon Sep. 26, 2011 – 7:00 PM – Monthly Slide and Print Competition #1 Mon Oct. 3, [...]]]> The 2011-2012 Program Schedule has been posted. It is available at http://www.NiagaraFallsCameraClub.org/program.

Program
Mon Sep. 12, 2011 – 7:00 PM – Landscape Photography presented by Dermot O’Kane
Mon Sep. 19, 2011 – 7:00 PM – Introductory Photo Course
Mon Sep. 26, 2011 – 7:00 PM – Monthly Slide and Print Competition #1
Mon Oct. 3, 2011 – 7:00 PM – The Niagara Insider’s Guide to Fifty Photo Day Trips presented by Leigh Daboll, Welland CC
Mon Oct. 17, 2011 – 7:00 PM – Monthly Slide and Print Competition #2
Mon Nov. 7, 2011 – 7:00 PM – Before You Click the Shutter presented by Peter Ferguson, Welland CC
Sat Nov. 19, 2011 – 8:00 AM – NFRCC Annual Falls Seminar Featuring Tim Grey
Mon Nov. 21, 2011 – 7:00 PM – Monthly Slide and Print Competition #3
Mon Dec. 5, 2011 – 7:00 PM – Composition presented by Paul Sparrow, Latow
Mon Dec. 19, 2011 – 5:30 PM – Monthly Slide and Print Competition #4 and Christmas Potluck
Mon Jan. 9, 2012 – 7:00 PM – TBA
Mon Jan. 23, 2012 – 7:00 PM – Monthly Slide and Print Competition #5
Mon Feb. 6, 2012 – 7:00 PM – Under The Surface presented by Kevin Smith, Welland CC
Mon Feb. 27, 2012 – 7:00 PM – Monthly Slide and Print Competition #6
Mon Mar. 5, 2012 – 7:00 PM – Member’s Night (Pizza Night)
Fri Mar. 16, 2012 – 7:00 PM – NFRCC Annual Spring Convention
Mon Mar. 19, 2012 – 7:00 PM – Slide and Print of the Year Competition
Mon Apr. 2, 2012 – 5:30 PM – 23rd Annual Rainbow Competition between Niagara Falls CC and Twin Cities CC
Sat Apr. 28, 2012 – 5:30 PM – Annual Awards Banquet

We have had to change our plans for this Saturday’s outing. Bob Casement when to Shorthills and the trails are Very Icy.

So I got on the phone with the Bird Kingdom in Niagara Falls and arranged a group outing. We will have access to the aviary from 9:00 a.m. which is an [...]]]> This Saturday???

We have had to change our plans for this Saturday’s outing. Bob Casement when to Shorthills and the trails are Very Icy.

So I got on the phone with the Bird Kingdom in Niagara Falls and arranged a group outing. We will have access to the aviary from 9:00 a.m. which is an hour prior to opening to the general public. Tripods are welcome. Also because we will be there prior to opening they will be cleaning as well as feeding the birds, which should make it easier to get some candid shots of the birds. They now have a new horticulturalist on staff and have added more plants and updated the pens. There is also a Lorikeet & B at Feeding areas. At 11:00 – 12:30 and 1:00 – 2:30 you can purchase a cup of nectar at the ‘Lorikeet Landing’ and these beautiful birds will land all around you for the chance to drink from your hand. The Bat feeding takes place at 12 and 4. There is also the Interactive Encounters area on the 2nd floor that has many other exotic creatures from the Rainforest including Tortoises, chameleons, bearded dragons etc.

We will all be getting in for half price, so that means $10 each including taxes. We are to meet at the front doors and the staff will let us in at 9. I have to square up with the front desk at 10 when they open, so I will be collecting the admission at the front doors and paying the Bird Kingdom on behalf of the club.

I have attached a set of directions at the bottom, however if you want to ‘google map’ it here is the street address: 5651 River Road, Niagara Falls. http://www.birdkingdom.ca

If you could email me to let me know if you are coming that would be great!
mailto:cswain2@cogeco.ca

Attached to this email are the Guidelines for submitting images in both the Print Salon and the Slide Salon. I am hoping that all our members will take part of in these salons. Send your digital image submissions before going to the convention. [...]]]> Important Information concerning the Convention weekend. Please pass on to your members.

Attached to this email are the Guidelines for submitting images in both the Print Salon and the Slide Salon. I am hoping that all our members will take part of in these salons. Send your digital image submissions before going to the convention. This will save you time when you are trying to get settled into the hotel, getting registered at the convention and eat dinner, all before the 7:00 pm start of the Golden Horseshoe competition.

PARKING– Weekend parking passes are available for $10. These are not for someone who is staying at the hotel and it is not honored in the hotel parking lot. Where to park, you ask? The Conference Center parking lot is off of Third St. behind the Conference Center.

For those staying at the Hotel. When you are facing the hotel on Third St, there is a small driveway on the right side of the hotel, which takes you to a turnabout for unloading luggage. There is a public lot attach to the turnabout and this is where you should park. The Hotel will validate your parking ticket so take it in with you.

CONFERENCE CENTER– The Conference Center is next door to the hotel; so you will need to leave the hotel and walk next door to the Conference Center to register for the convention, put your images into salon and pay for the salons that you entered. When you register for the convention, you will get a welcome packet that has information about the entire weekend and your nametag. All activity connected to the Convention takes place in the Conference Center.

FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER–In your welcome packet is a list of restaurants. One is in the hotel; the others are across Third St in the Seneca Casino. Some are expensive and others are cheaper. There is also a nice bar in the hotel.

HOSPITALITY ROOMS-There are Hospitality Rooms open within the hotel to visit Friday and Saturday night, after the day’s programs and activities. This is the time to gather in the hospitality room to meet folks and have a good time. Lots of good conversation and something to drink and snacks. These evenings are the highlight for me! It’s a great party. There is usually some beer, wine and soda available. Feel free to bring something to share, like wine.

SATURDAY COFFEE BREAK… is between 11-11:30 in the Vendor area. It is free.

SATURDAY LUNCH…is a box lunch. No sitting around waiting for a waitress. Grab a box and eat and then spend your time in the vendor area or checking out the images that have been entered.

SATURDAY EVENING AWARDS BANQUET… this is a “dress nice” affair, but not formal. No ties or jackets required. If you have reported dietary restrictions, you will get a card in your Welcome packet that you can give to the waitress.

SUNDAY CHECK-OUT…is at 11am. This is not the most convenient time. My suggestion would be to put your stuff in the car prior to attending the Morning Session. There is also supposed to be a room to check your bags into at the hotel.

Hope these help your weekend to go a little smoother and you have a great time.

Entrants may submit digital entries through email prior to the convention or may bring their entries on a USB Flash Drive or CD ROM to the convention.  Entrants competing in the Print Salon will need to bring their images to the convention.   There is a $5 fee [...]]]> PARTICIPATION IN THE SALONS OF THE NFRCC CONVENTION.

Entrants may submit digital entries through email prior to the convention or may bring their entries on a USB Flash Drive or CD ROM to the convention.  Entrants competing in the Print Salon will need to bring their images to the convention.   There is a $5 fee for each Salon (Print or Digital Image Salon) that covers all images in that salon and is payable at the convention.

PRINT SALON GUIDELINES: Bring your prints with you when you come to the convention.

ENTRIES- You cannot re-enter an image that has won an award or honorable mention ribbon at a previous NFRCC convention salon.

# OF IMAGES-Attendees may enter up to 4 images in the Color Division and up to 4 images in the Monochrome Division for a total of 8 Prints. A monochrome print that has part of it in color would be entered in the Color Division.

AWARDS- A 1st, 2nd and 3rd place is awarded in each Division. A Best of Show is also awarded.

MOUNTING-A print must be mounted on something stiff, such as foamcore, so it will stand independently in a print-viewing box.

MATTING- A print may be matted but it is not required. Finished mat size may not exceed 320 sq inches.

NOTE- No frames or glass or anything on the back of a print that may damage another print will be permitted.

PRINT SIZE

Minimum is 80 square inches, (8×10), not including a mat.

Maximum size is 320 square inches, which would include the mat. (16×20)

Image may not be more than 30 inches wide or more than 24 inches high.

Prints must be the work of the maker and not the product of an instructional workshop, class or set-up. Digital enhancement is allowed but no clip-art or purchased images and the maker must photograph all components.

REVERSE SIDE: On the reverse side of the image, put an arrow of orientation, the image title, the submission division and your name and address. Be absolutely sure that this information is attached securely but not in any way that would scratch or damage another print when all the images are placed in a stack.

Special circumstances for attendees who are members of a NFRCC Club. “The George Butt Competition in Color and Monochrome Images”
For an attendee who is a member of a NFRCC club, please include the name of your club on the reverse side of your image. In that way, your image will be included in the interclub competition of the George Butt Award. 
If you are a member of more than one NFRCC club, you need not assign all entries to the same Club. 
HOW THE GEORGE BUTT TROPHY IS AWARDED:
The ten highest scoring prints by at least five different club members will be the official Club entry. The club with the highest scoring monochrome entries and the highest scoring color entries will each be awarded a 1st place George Butt trophy.

DIGITAL SLIDE SALON GUIDELINES

Photographs must be the work of the maker and not the product of a workshop or class or set up, with or without an instructor’s assistance. Competitions are open to projected images or prints that have been computer enhanced or computer manipulated (digital). Digital photos must be based on or composed from original optically or photographically generated images. Projected images or prints are not to be totally computer-generated. All components (photobased) must be created by the photographer – no clip art or purchased software images.

Attendees may enter the three divisions of Color Projected Images as follows:

Pictorial Division – 2 (two) images

Nature Division – 2 (two) images which follow the basic rules of the NFRCC for Nature entries.

Wildlife Division – 1 (one) image of pure wildlife. The First place winner will be awarded the Diane Payton-Majumdar Trophy. Open only to NFRCC club members.

Submission guidelines:

Image format – .JPG files only

Maximum pixel dimensions – 1024 Pixels wide by 768 Pixels high including digital mats and borders.

Color space – should be sRGB

File naming: Each image file will be named as follows: Letter of Division (P, N, or W)… followed by an underscore Number of entry (1 or 2)… followed by an underscore Last name … followed by an underscore First name… followed by an underscore Title Example: P_1_Thyme_Justin_End of the Day.jpg
 Note: The jpg file extension may or may not show up on your finished image, but if you have saved it in that format, it is there.

Check your files carefully to be sure they match the requirements. The committee will not be responsible for making corrections.

You may submit by e-mail in advance, or bring your images to the convention on a flash (jump, thumb) drive. We encourage advance e-mail submission.

If you e-mail your images, please list: Your full name and address, and the NFRCC club, (if any) to which you belong

Nature and Wildlife Salons

No elements may be moved, cloned, added, deleted, rearranged, combined, or changed in any way that affects the integrity of the image content. No manipulation or modification is permitted except resizing, cropping, selective lightening or darkening, and restoration to the original color of the scene. No special effects filters can be added or applied, and any sharpening must appear natural.                                                                                                                                       Send entries to the following address: salons@nfrcc.org. Payment will need to be made at the Salon Registration to ensure your images are included in the competitions.

Digital Images – Nature and Wildlife Slide Salons

No elements may be moved, cloned, added, deleted, rearranged, combined, or changed in any way that affects the integrity of the image content. No manipulation or modification is permitted except resizing, cropping, selective lightening or darkening, and restoration to the original color of the scene. No special effects filters can be added or applied, and any sharpening must appear natural.

Wildlife Category

Slides entered into this category must feature animals. They can represent:

Non-captive animals in their native habitat, however, images in which a man made object has become part of the creature’s natural habitat, such as a stork in a roof nest or a barn swallow in its nest in a barn, as well as tagged animals in the wild, are acceptable.

Captive animals that are living in a natural environment. These images must have been skillfully taken to avoid showing signs of the captivity. Game farms and zoos may sometimes provide such images.

Any image entered into this wildlife/nature category must be truthful (documentary) to the subject as seen. Significant objects cannot be added or removed.

Nature Slide Competition

Slides entered in the nature competition must conform to PSA’s definition of a nature slide.

Eligible subjects include trees, wild flowers, weeds, grasses, fungi, ferns, mosses, animals or birds (except domesticated), reptiles, insects, fossils, weather, land/seascapes (without boats or other human evidence), geological formations, etc.

Ineligible subjects include cultivated plants or flowers, domestic animals (dogs, cows, etc.) scenic’s which show human artefacts (fences, buildings, telephone wires, etc.), mounted specimens, museum habitats or groups, or subjects no longer alive.