Announcing the results…

Our vice-president announces the results of Print Round 1

WPS Internal Competitions

For many members, our competitions are a popular feature of our programme. It’s interesting to see other members’ work.

Constructive feedback from trained external judges from the Southern Counties Photographic Federation (SCPF) about your own and fellow members’ images can help you improve your photography.

Print League competitions PDI League competitions

Our competitions are open only to WPS members.

League Competitions

The Print League and PDI (projected images) League each has five rounds. Members are divided into classes (Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced, and Gold) and compete against others in their class.

The Mono Competition

A print competition for monochrome images, held as Round 3 of the Print League.
After scoring the classes as usual, the judge selects an overall winner, irrespective of class, who receives the FB Heathcote Wride Old Symmetrical trophy.

The Christmas Knockout

is a light-hearted competition where members enter up to four PDI images. Images are projected in pairs, and members vote for their favourite. The winner is the last image remaining. 

Best Print and PDI of the Year

This competition (also called “Best of the Best”) brings together all the images from every class which came first or second in the five league rounds to compete for Print of the Year and PDI of the Year.

Note: monochrome prints, sometimes termed black and white, can be any single colour plus white, not necessarily black with white.

Documentary and Set of Three

An evening with two print competitions, open to all members irrespective of competition class.

Non League competitions

The George Walsh Memorial Trophy

Trophy: Awarded to the winner of a documentary/ photojournalism print competition, in memory of a long-standing WPS member.
Documentary Photography: Straightforward representation of people, places, objects, and events, used to chronicle significant moments in history and everyday life.
Photojournalism: Creative, entertaining, and informative storytelling through images, often related to news and street photography.

Set of Three

Submission: Three printed images on a single theme, subject, or concept.
Judging: All three images assessed together as a group.
Mounting: Separately or on a single board, mounting not judged.
Previous Entries: Maximum one previous society entry allowed.

The Society Competition Evening

An evening of themed competitions
without classes. Members may enter one
image in each competition.

Non League competitions

Themed competition (print)

This season’s theme is: “Boats”

Human Portrait (print)

A portrait of a person, or a number of people, who must be the main feature of the image.

The Creative Cup (PDI)

for an innovative image based on one or more of the author’s photographs. It should be original, creative and avant-garde, originating from the camera and the photographer’s imagination. No limits!

Gregʼs Egg Cup (PDI)

for a visually humorous image, with an appropriate title to add to the fun. Technical quality is only a secondary consideration.

League Competition Classes

  • Selection happens at the beginning of each season and is fixed for the season.
  • Factors considered include member’s preference, current skill level, and progress made.
  • New members can consult the Competition Secretary. or any committee member for guidance.
  • Winning trophies or achieving national awards may qualify members to progress to a higher class in the following season.

Beginners Class

Designed for those developing their photography skills, including composition, technical aspects, and gaining confidence with equipment.

Intermediate Class

For members with more experience compared to beginners.

Advanced Class

For experienced members who may even hold national qualifications.

Gold Class

The most prestigious class, likely for members with significant experience and achievements.

how it works

League scoring and Awards

PlacingPointsPlacingPoints
1st6Commended3
2nd5Held Back2
3rd4Unplaced1
Call To Action

Scoring system

At each competition, the judge holds hold back some images from each class for final selection of winners. Points are awarded to each entry within each class as shown in the table.

Resolving ties by countback

In case of equal scores at the end of the season, the winner is determined by the number of first places, then second places, third places, and finally Highly Commended awards received. If there is still a tie, the trophy is shared.

Best of the Best

There are no prizes for the lower places in the leagues. But all the images which came first or second in any of the league rounds compete for the end of season Print or PDI of the Year.

Based on the WPS Members’ Handbook

See also