1.	Creative Focus:	Creative Focus This is our OPEN Subject, so anything goes. In camera techniques (like slow shutter movement/double exposure) filters, layering, composite images, abstracts, you name it…go wild!!
2.	Everyday Surreal:	Everyday Surreal This subject explores the strangeness woven into ordinary life.  Transform common objects, routines, or environments into something subtly offbeat or wonderfully peculiar.  Through perspective, timing, or creative framing, reveal the surreal qualities that hide within the mundane and invite viewers to see the world with fresh curiosity.
3.	Impossible Realities:	Impossible Realities A subject for bending logic and reshaping the world as we know it.  Photographs should challenge perception by blending fantasy with the familiar - through surreal compositions, unexpected juxtapositions, or imaginative manipulation.  Create scenes that feel dreamlike, uncanny, or otherworldly, prompting viewers to question what is real.
4.	On The Street:	On the Street A celebration of people, architecture and interactions within the street scene.  This subject invites images that capture spontaneous moments, human energy, and the visual poetry found in everyday streetscapes.  Look for gestures, contrasts, rhythms, and fleeting interactions of people, architecture and the environment, that reveal the character of a place and the stories hidden in plain sight.

CREATIVE COMPETITION 
All entries must be derived from your own photography and almost any subject matter is acceptable.

• Every element, texture, or component in the final image – including composites and overlays – must originate from the entrant’s own photographic work.
• All photographic techniques and equipment are permitted including intentional camera movement, distorting lenses and filters provided that:
  
  • Where AI-Assisted image capture is used during shooting (e.g. using autofocus, exposure adjustment, image stabilisation) it must not add, remove, or alter elements in the real-world scene.
• Any image editing software such as Photoshop and any third-party image adjustment tools may be used provided that:
  
  • Non-Generative AI Post-Processing tools are only used for enhancement of the image (e.g. colour correction. AI masking, denoising, sharpening) and is only used to work on pixels from the entrant’s own original captures.
• Generative AI Techniques are strictly prohibited at any stage.  This includes any AI that creates, replaces, or removes content, not present in the original real-world scene or captures (e.g. inpainting or text-prompt generation).  Entries using generative AI will be disqualified.
• Winning photographers may be asked how they have constructed the image.
• Images which don’t comply with the rules will be removed from the competition.
• Images deemed to be offensive may, at the sole discretion of the organising committee, be removed from the competition including but not necessarily limited to images containing gratuitous violence, explicit sexual content, hast speech, or discrimination.

ENTRY FEES

• It costs $20.00 for the first category entered, and $15.00 for each subsequent category.   You may enter up to four images in each category. 
• The catalogue / Book containing all the winning images is $0 including postage to NZ Addresses.
• For any overseas postage, please contact entry coordinator Susie Hare at karakakards.co.nz.

PAYMENT

• Payment must be made by bank transfer to the Creative Focus bank account: No:- ASB - 12-3023-0367837-03. Please be sure to show your Entrant Number (0) and your surname () in the details box.

ENTRIES

• Entries are open from Monday 1 June until Tuesday 30 June, 11.59PM.
• There will be no extension of dates for entries.
• There is a maximum of 4 entries per subject.

SIZE OF IMAGES

• Images with a width less than 1200 pixels or a height of less than 750 pixels will be rejected by the server. 
• Your image must have a maximum width of 3240 pixels, and a maximum height of 2160 pixels.   Images larger than that will be downsized to conform.
• The height rule is relaxed in the case of a "letterbox" or "column" image. If a landscape image has a width of greater than 2200 pixels, the height is ignored. If a portrait image has a height equal to 2160 pixels, the width is ignored.
• All files must be in JPEG format.

IMAGE TITLE

• Images must have a title – any image named e.g. 'No Title' will not be accepted.

JUDGES

• There are 3 judges on the panel.   For 2026 the judges are:
• • Bruce Girdwood, FPSNZ
  • Judy Stokes, APSNZ
  • Kate Anderson, APSNZ
• Join our Facebook page to keep you updated.
  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1168321493178425

IDENTIFICATION

• The images will be uploaded to the Creative Focus website.
• You do not need to name your image files in any specific manner. 
• The image title will be recorded as entered by you during the entry process. 
• The photographer's details i.e. name, club affiliation (if appropriate), and contact details will be taken from your “account profile”
• N.B. Check all details in the confirmation email sent by the system as these are how your image will be labelled in the digital catalogue if you are successful – If you need to make changes, please notify us ASAP.
• N.B. Note the winning entries will be reproduced in a digital ebook, which will be available for all entrants on this website shortly after the judging is finished.  There will be no printed book this year.

JUDGING

• Judging will commence shortly after Tuesday 30 June.
  The images will be anonymous for judging.
• Judges will be looking for good camera technique & creative photographic skill.
• Images deemed to be offensive by the organizing committee will not be judged.

AWARDS
The following overall prize will be awarded: 

• For each subject category there will be Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards, plus Honours, Highly commended, and Acceptances.
• The three top placings in each subject will receive a trophy.
• At the completion of the judges will choose the image which is to be the Pukekohe Franklin Camera Club Creative Focus - Competition Supreme Award Winner.
• The Supreme Award Winner will receive a prize of $500.00. cash.
• There may be additional sponsors' prizes.

RESULTS

• On completion of the judging, the Coordinator will notify individuals by email of their results. A list of all successful applicants and the top images will be displayed on the Creative Focus website.
• The Coordinator will prepare a slideshow of the images from each subject for showing on the website and at the prize giving to be held at The Franklin Arts Centre Pukekohe on Saturday 22 August, 6.30PM in conjunction with the Pukekohe Franklin Camera Club's exhibition.  Food and drinks will be provided. 
• We will also be asking the permission of the 3 winners of each section (gold, silver and bronze) if we can print out their image at 240 ppi to put into our exhibition. The matted image will be sent to the winners after the exhibition - free of charge.  We will be inviting all participants to attend.  

REPRODUCTION

The Pukekohe Franklin Camera Club shall be entitled without payment of any fee to the entrants, to display any image entered in this competition on:

• the PFCC Creative Focus website;
• Facebook;
• to promote the Creative Focus competition;
• as part of a slideshow at the National Convention.
• reproduced in the digital ebook catalogue.

PRIVACY /COPYRIGHT

• All personal details we hold in our database are visible to you only on the website and may be modified by you at will here: “account profile”. 
• Copyright to entries remains at all times with you (the entrant). 
• We will not divulge any of your personal details to anyone without your permission. 
• We will use your details ONLY for important communication with you regarding the Pukekohe Franklin Camera Club Creative Focus Competition.

FAILURE TO OBSERVE RULES

• The committee reserves the right to disqualify any entry that it deems unsuitable for the intent of this competition.

DISPUTES

• Any dispute concerning the interpretation of these rules or the organization of the competition may be referred to the Creative Focus Sub Committee whose decision shall be final and binding.

LIABILITY

• The Pukekohe Franklin Camera Club will not be liable for any claims relating from your copyright or privacy infringements or disputes.