Paws for a Picture – guidance & rules to consider when entering photos including the use of photo editing & pro photos.
If in doubt, please just ask!
You can achieve some fantastic looking photos with your camera on your phone – you don’t need expensive equipment or a paid photo to do well here!
When you are entering photos think about the class title, think about how it could be interpreted by, not just you, but by the class judges as well.
Make sure you photo is clear & in focus, think about what’s in the background of your photo.
Photo Editing What is allowed – Simple edits such as cropping of photos to remove things like unwanted people or animals are fine.
A small change of colour balance & a sharpening effect are also fine just to tidy up a photo provided they do not significantly alter the photo from it’s original, natural form.
What is not allowed – Using programmes such as Adobe Photoshop to significantly alter the photo from its original format.
Super imposing your pets onto a background is not allowed – for example taking a photo of Fido on your sofa & putting him onto a background of a beach in the South of France!
Similarly – any background in your photo must have been present at the time – so some people like to buy a white screen & sit their pet in front of it to make the pet stand out – that’s fine.
What is not allowed is where the original background has been removed & a blank background edited in.
Super imposing ‘props’ into your photo is also not allowed – any props used must be physically present at the time of the photo.
Filters such as Instagram filters are not allowed.
No text should be present on the photo (unless the schedule specifically asks for it)
Sometimes we run a class called ‘Best Edited Photo’ with a theme – it’s clearly stated on the schedule that editing/photoshopping/imposing props etc are within the rules for this class.
Questioning Edited Photos – New Jan 2022
Sometimes other exhibitors will ask me if I am sure a photo hasn’t been edited in some way.
This put me in a very difficult position – I ask the entrant concerned & if they say it isn’t edited then I have to give them the benefit of the doubt.
However, I have now put in place a panel of 3 independent people who are not connected to Paws in any way.
All exhibitors have the right to question any photo they feel has been edited by sending a PM to this page.
I will send the panel the photo(s) in question & they will give me a ‘yes it’s edited’ or ‘no it’s not’ (in their opinion)
The majority will be the decision.
The decision is final.
I know this won’t be popular if you have your photo rejected but I think this is the fairest way to move forward.
If a photo is removed from the show based on the panels decision, then a full refund for that photo will be given.
Entering ‘Professional’ Photos – New Jan 2022
We no longer allow ‘professional’ photos to be entered into the show.
A professional photo is deemed as one that you have had taken by a professional photographer.
We want to see ordinary, everyday photos that you have taken on your mobile phone or camera.
It’s not about the quality of the photo but the content – does it match the class description?
The judges have their own interpretation on each class title but they are reminded before judging starts each month to carefully read the class description.
The spirit of Paws for a Picture shows is to have fun spending time with your pets & taking their photo whilst thinking about the class titles & thinking about how you will take that one shot that might just win you the title of Show Champion!!
This is is a fun competition for the whole family to enjoy – I want everyone to have exactly the same chance of winning a rosette on a level playing field.
Black & White Photos / Rainbow Bridge Pets
These will be allowed in all classes as long as they were taken in black & white.
We took into consideration that we allow Rainbow animals to compete in all classes & that some old photos were only produced in B&W - some exhibitors would therefore become excluded from entering.
You are still not allowed to add insta filters to your photos AFTER the photo has been taken but if your camera was set to B&W to take the photo then those entries will be allowed
If the rules of the show are not for you – no problem – I wish you the best of luck in finding other shows more to your liking x