2024 Central Victoria Interclub Photographic Competition the ‘QUAD’  

Competition Rules

Introduction  
The Competition is titled the Central Victorian Interclub Photographic Competition, informally known as the ‘Quad Competition’ or the ‘QUAD.’   The QUAD includes Bendigo Camera Club, Mount Alexander Photographic Society, Maryborough Camera Club and Macedon Ranges Photographic Society. The original rules were formulated at a meeting held on the 20/4/2002 by a representative from the QUAD clubs.   This document represents the 2024 version of Competition Rules is based on VAPS Rules, with additional Rules set out below.   These Modified Rules must be agreed to by the four clubs by a specific date outlined below.   The aim of the QUAD Competition is to encourage and improve photography throughout Central Victoria and to facilitate the comparison of all types of photography between clubs and members.    

Host Club  
The Host Club is to receive and coordinate all QUAD entries each year for judging. The Club is to provide sufficient notification to the other clubs of the entry closing date. (Approximately 1 month prior to the competition meeting) plus meeting details, venue (including map), date, time and contact phone number.   The Host Club will also provide refreshments.
   
Host Club Order:  
2024 – Mount Alexander Photographic Society – (MAPS) 2025 – Maryborough Camera Club – (MCC) 2026 – Macedon Ranges Photographic Society – (MRPS) 2027 – Bendigo Camera Club – (BCC)

Entry Conditions for the Affiliated Clubs
All Image entries must be submitted by each Club to and through the host club. This is a QUAD Competition for Affiliated Clubs and only Clubs affiliated with the QUAD may enter this competition. All images entered must have been taken/ made by current financial members of that club and must show evidence of photographic content. The member shall have made the original image and any subsequent manipulation. Any image, print or digital, that has been entered into a previous QUAD cannot be entered into any subsequent QUAD competition. Each club selecting entries from members must get assurance from the author of the work, that the works have not been previously submitted into a QUAD competition or submitted by another affiliated club into this competition. However, if any duplication of entry occurs, the QUAD Host club may attempt to resolve the duplication with the clubs and the owner of the images before the judging. Failing this, all the duplicated entries will be removed from the competition. Clubs and members must make every effort to ensure their entries comply with these rules. Where there is an issue, and if time permits, the maker/ club will be contacted and given the opportunity to rectify the issues and/or resubmit an image provided there is sufficient time remaining to prepare the entry for judging. The same image or like images cannot be entered into the Print and Digital sections. Images may be enhanced or processed using image editing software. The competition is divided into TWO sections, Print and Digital. The competition is OPEN in both sections; there is no SET subject or time frame for when images were taken. Clubs must register all entries and upload all required digital files to the Host club’s upload system by the cut-off date. When submitting an entry, Clubs are responsible to ensure that the Rules for the QUAD Competition are complied with, especially in respect of image naming, size, thickness, mounting and packaging. In the spirit of competition, each club should have as many as possible of its members represented. Clubs are encouraged to select entries from across their range of members for the sections of Prints and Digital images. This provides all members with the opportunity to be part of the QUAD and have their work assessed and displayed at the QUAD presentation. Every effort will be made to present all entries, however it is dependent on the venue available and any legal restrictions.

Print Entries

Each affiliated club may enter up to 10 x Prints with a maximum of 3 x Prints per club member.

All different types of print including colour, black and white, photogram series, photo essay, toned, and hand-coloured prints are acceptable, provided that the presented image shows evidence of an underlying photographic base. Panoramic format prints are acceptable but must comply with the maximum mount size detailed below. Prints may be any size, up to a maximum of 40cm x 50cm (16in x 20in). Prints must be mounted and mounts must not exceed 40cm x 50cm (16in x 20in). There is no minimum mount or print size. The maximum mount, matte and print thickness is 5mm. This means that 5mm foam core backing CANNOT be used. 3mm foam core backing is readily available. Images that do not comply will be withdrawn from the competition. Each print must have a backing board and properly secured around all edges of the backing board with masking tape or artists tape; do not use Sellotape Images that are not securely matted, falling apart or have loose tape on the back that may damage other prints will be rejected and not judged. Matted prints are not to be Cellophane wrapped.  

Print Delivery Note:
Club Wooden Boxes cannot be accepted for the QUAD competition due to restrictions on vehicle capacity and storage. Art supply stores such as Office Works have suitable zipped A2 Folio Folders which are very suitable for transporting prints. Clubs must include a digital image of each print. This may be sent electronically or delivered on a USB stick with the prints. The maximum dimensions for digital images are 3840 pixels wide and 2160 pixels high with a maximum file size of 5 MB. The minimum dimensions are 800 pixels wide and 600 pixels high. Colour space is to be sRGB and the image is to be in the jpeg format. Prints are to be delivered as specified by Host club.    

Digital Image Entries Each affiliated club may enter up to 10 x Digital Images with a maximum of 3 x images per club member.  
Images may be created with a digital camera, a film camera scanned into digital format or may be created by use of a scanner or other electronic means. The maximum dimensions for digital images are 3840 pixels wide and 2160 pixels high with a maximum file size of 5 MB. The minimum dimensions are 800 pixels wide and 600 pixels high. Colour space is to be sRGB and the image is to be in the jpeg format. Images must be able to be projected using a normal Windows-based computer and data projector. All digital image files may be sent electronically or delivered on a USB stick with the prints by the closing date, as specified by Host club
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Print & Digital Titles:  

It has been decided to allocate 10 randomly generated unique numbers between 1 and 40 for both the prints and digital entries. This will ensure that the judging of all Prints and Digital images in Quad are keep anonymous.          

QUAD Comp Numbering System – 2024  
A separate prefixed set of numbers for the Print and Digital images is to be used. Prints – P1, P2 etc. Digital Images – D1, D2 etc.       All prints must have a title no longer than 30 characters (only letters from the English alphabet, numbers and spaces will be allowed) and be labelled with only the title and its allocated random number.  

Each club has been randomly allocated their own set of numbers, as set out here:          
These numbers are set out on an individual club entry form (supplied separately). All clubs are to fill in their entry form, with image title, photographer’s name and year of comp. The completed forms are then emailed to the Host Club. The Host club will then collate all entries together and return the completed forms as a single document to all the Quad Clubs. This collated single document can then be used on QUAD competition day for recording the judge’s scores. The judge’s copy of this document will have no Quad Club I.D. On Quad day the prints and Digital images will be presented in Club order.    

Judging QUAD  

The Host Club is to arrange an independent judge, or a panel of independent judges.   Judge(s) may allocate up to 15 points per individual entry. The Judge(s) will award 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in each section (Print and Digital). The judge (s) may also award up to 2 Merit Awards in each section (Print and Digital). The overall winning club shall be determined by the aggregate of all the points that were awarded to all club entries. The overall winning club will be the custodian of the perpetual trophy until the following competition, which will be held during September / October annually. The perpetual trophy is to be engraved in the same font as previously done, arranged and paid for annually by the competition’s overall winning club. The judges’ decision is final.  

Alterations to the Rules  
These rules may be amended by consensus by all 4 Clubs after each annual competition, and all clubs must be advised of the amendments in writing as soon as possible.   An annual get together of clubs can be arranged to meet and discuss any changes. In the event of a dispute as to the meaning of these rules, a joint ruling by the Club Presidents shall prevail.  

Circulation of Rules  

Each year these rules shall be circulated by the Host club to all participating clubs. The date of this issue is to appear on each page.
Disclaimer   It is the responsibility of entrants to obtain appropriate model releases and copyright approval where applicable. While the ‘QUAD ’and the Host Club will take all reasonable precautions and care of entries under its control, no responsibility will be taken by the host Club for accidental loss or damage.            

Current QUAD Affiliated Members Club Secretary and Competition Contacts  

Bendigo President – Pauline Moore Email: paulinemoore011@gmail.com, (phone 0413968793) Secretary – Felicity Johnson Email: secretary@bendigocameraclub.org.au (phone 0429322450) BCC Competition Steward – Eugene Dopheide Email: ebdoph@netspace.net.au  (phone 03 54859004)  
Macedon Ranges PS President- Jeni Marinier Email: jenandglen@outlook.com (phone 0400200164) Secretary – Ron Mathews Email: rrmathews@bigpond.com, (phone 0415 454 936) Comps Steward – James Holgate Email: holgate.je@gmail.com (phone 0437357198)   Maryborough Camera Club President- Ron Gale Email: rstgale@bigpond.net.au (phone 0418125547) Secretary – Heather Bell Email: hbell1953@gmail.com (phone 0409 593 061)

Mount Alexander PS:

President – Harley Parker

Secretary – Richard Menegatti

Treasurer – Barb Guerin