Page 19 - Cape-Camera-Nov-Dec-2024

Cape Camera November/December 2024

Same bird, same scene, but because the background elements were removed the bird left cannot be entered in wildlife.

E&D 20 November 2024
Manipulation: what is allowed, or not

JILL SNEESBY, convenor of the PSSA Honours Judging Panel and FIAP country represent-

ative, and FRANCOIS ROUX, who advises on disqualification of salon images, explained
what is allowed in non-manipulation categories.

The growth and improvement of AI has called for a fast
rethink in many industries. In photography the rule is
still unchanged : all items in your image must be pro-
duced by yourself and you must be able to prove you
hold the copyright to all items included in your image,
no matter how small, by providing the original images
as they came from your camera. Simple.
This is becoming more of a burning issue as internation-
al bodies (like FIAP) now require RAW or original jpegs of
all images entered in their competitions to ensure that
no AI-generated images are submitted. They impose a Jill Sneesby (left) and Francois Roux (right).
harsh penalty (including life banning) on anybody found
guilty of transgressing. This is because AI infringes on Jill explains that in nature/wildlife categories techniques
the copyright/ copy the work of the photographer who that enhance the presentation of the photograph, without
created the original element. changing the nature store or pictorial content, or without
But, in some categories, like Nature/Wildlife and Photo- altering the content of the original scene, are permitted.
journalism (including the sub-categories of sport, street In others words: you may make darken bright areas and
photography and travel) another rule comes into play: make bright areas darker, but you may not change the
manipulation. The entry rule of no manipulation allowed scene from daylight to night by darkening excessively.
can trip up even some of the most experienced photog- Cropping, straightening and flipping are permitted, as
raphers and also earn them penalties. well as converting to monochrome.
This realisation prompted Jill Sneesby Hon MPSSA, MPS- NO techniques that add, relocate, replace, or remove any
SA, FPSSA(Dux), AV-FPSSA, MFIAP, ESFIAP, FPSA, to pre- elements, except by cropping, are permitted, says Jill.
pare a presentation on manipulation — and when your Therefore, no removing of distracting background items
images will be disqualified — which was shown to CTPS by blurring them, making them lighter or darker, etc, nor
members at the November E&D meeting, with our mem- adding of elements like dust or a sun are permitted. No
ber Francois Roux Hon MPSSA, MPSSA, EPSSA(Mille), AV- elements that were not in the original image may be
LPSSA, EFIAP, adding explanations. added. Your image must still look natural. Adding a vi-
Some of the reasons for a salon entrant being placed on gnette that changes the presentation of the image from
PSSAs disqualification (DQ) list could be accidental — the original is not permitted.
for example, changing the title of an image you entered Learn more about PSSA salon rules and regulations and
years before. sanctions by clicking here.

Cape Town Photographic Society 19