DEFINITION OF NATURE AND WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

This definition applies to all Australian Photographic Society (APS) approved competitions and exhibitions.

APS Nature Content Guidelinesion
Content Guidelines

Nature photography records all branches of natural history except anthropology and archaeology. This includes all aspects of the physical world, both animate and inanimate, that have not been made or modified by humans.

• Nature images must convey the truth of the scene that was photographed. A well-informed person should be able to identify the subject of the image and be satisfied that it has been presented honestly and that no unethical practices have been used to control the subject or capture the image. Images that directly or indirectly show any human activity that threatens the life or welfare of a living organism are not allowed. 
• The most important part of a Nature image is the nature story it tells. High technical standards are expected and the image must look natural. 
• Objects created by humans, and evidence of human activity, are allowed in Nature images only when they are a necessary part of the Nature story. 
• Photographs of human-created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domesticated animals, human-created hybrid animals and mounted or preserved zoological specimens are not allowed. 
• Images taken with subjects under controlled conditions, such as zoos, are allowed. 
• Controlling live subjects by chilling, anaesthetic or any other method of restricting natural movement for the purpose of a photograph is not allowed.
  
  

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

In addition to the restrictions on Nature photography, to be eligible for any Wildlife award images must meet the following conditions: 

1. Zoological organisms must be living free and unrestrained in a natural or adopted habitat of their own choosing. 
2. Images of zoological organisms that have been removed from their natural habitat, are in any form of captivity or are being controlled by humans for the purpose of photography are not allowed. 
3. Botanical organisms may not be removed from their natural environment for the purpose of photography. 
4. Images that have been staged for the purpose of photography are not allowed.

APS has adopted the PSA Statement on Subject Matter which applies to all sections and to the Editing Guidelines for Nature, Photojournalism and Photo Travel.

Satiated by Trung Cang Nguyen

EDITING GUIDELINES

Processing or editing must be limited to making the image look as close to the original scene as possible, except that conversion to grayscale monochrome is allowed.

Allowed editing techniques:

• Cropping, straightening and perspective correction. 
• Removal or correction of elements added by the camera or lens, such as dust spots, noise, chromatic aberration and lens distortion.
• Global and selective adjustments such as brightness, hue, saturation and contrast to restore the appearance of the original scene.
• Complete conversion of color images to grayscale monochrome.
• Blending of multiple images of the same subject and combining them in camera or with software (exposure blending or focus stacking);
• Image stitching – combining multiple images with overlapping fields of view that are taken consecutively (panoramas);

Editing techniques that are not allowed:

• Removing, adding to, moving or changing any part of an image, except for cropping and straightening.
• Adding a vignette during processing. 
• Blurring parts of the image during processing to hide elements in the original scene.
• Darkening parts of the image during processing to hide elements in the original scene.
• All conversions other than to complete grayscale monochrome. 
• Conversion of parts of an image to monochrome, or partial toning, desaturation or over-saturation of color 

APS has adopted the PSA Statement on Subject Matter which applies to all sections.

SUBJECT MATTER STATEMENT

Statement on Subject Matter applicable to all sections.

The fundamental rule that must be observed at all times and applies to all sections offered in exhibitions with APS recognition is that the welfare of living creatures is more important than any photograph. This means that practices such as baiting of subjects with a living creature and removal of birds from nests, for the purpose of obtaining a photograph, are highly unethical, and such photographs are not allowed in any exhibition with APS recognition. Under no circumstances may a living creature be placed in a situation where it will be killed, injured or stressed for the purpose of obtaining a photograph. Images that show live creatures being fed to captive animals, birds or reptiles are not permitted under any circumstances.

There are also concerns about the use of aerial photography, drones, helicopters, low flying aircraft. These should not cause any interference with other individuals or animals which causes a disturbance in their normal activity or disrupt the way any individuals or animals interact with their environment. Entrants in APS recognised exhibitions must comply with all relevant laws and regulations, associated with aerial photography, in the country in which the image was taken. 

Entry into APS recognised exhibitions is conditional on accepting these policies. The content of images must comply with the General Conditions and with the Division and Section definitions listed in these conditions. Images that - in the sole opinion of the judges or the Exhibition Organisers - do not comply, will be disqualified so the entrant may be aware of the problem when considering entry into other exhibitions.