Hello everyone,
As it is the weekend, I, NGUYỄN AN DI, will continue our series of practical judging experiences. Today, I am sharing Golden Rule #3, focusing on the technical and post-processing errors frequently penalized or outright disqualified by international judges in competitions sponsored by FIAP, PSA, IAAP, and others.
In the Travel Photo section, the goal is to truthfully represent a location and its culture. Therefore, any action that alters the reality of the image is strictly forbidden.
TABOO #1: IMAGE DISTORTION DUE TO LENS
You are absolutely not allowed to use images with Highly Distorted effects that change the structure compared to the actual reality of the scene.
- Forbidden Lenses: Strictly avoid using Ultra-Wide or Fisheye lenses that create noticeable effects of warping, stretching, or bending of the image, significantly altering the actual structures.
- Disqualification Criterion: If the structure of buildings, people, or the landscape is distorted to the extent that it no longer accurately reflects its real shape, the image will receive low scores and may be severely disqualified.
TABOO #2: EXCESSIVE COLOR AND EFFECT PROCESSING
Avoid post-processing errors that compromise the authenticity of the moment:
- Over-Saturation: Increasing color saturation excessively, making the colors vibrant and artificial compared to reality, is a serious violation and will result in low scores. Colors must remain natural and truthful.
TABOO #3: MISUSE OF LONG EXPOSURE
Long exposures are permitted, but they must not be overused as a special effect that completely dominates the image:
- Allowed: Timed exposures are acceptable when they serve as a secondary, complementary element (e.g., smoothly rendered, gentle flow of water).
- Forbidden: Strictly avoid images where the long exposure effect completely dominates, obscuring or changing too much of the scene’s reality. A typical example is car light trails stretched into long red and yellow streaks that completely take over the scene, totally transforming the street view.
In summary: The criterion for International Travel Photography is Authenticity. Any shooting or processing technique that distorts the truth of the location is against the rules.
Nguyen AnDi
PPSA, E IAAP, AFIP, IIG/s, AAPS, H.GNG, H.FPMP
FPC Vietnam Representative, PSA Country Membership Director for Vietnam
IAAP Ambassador
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