CAPA Competitions

The Sackville Photography Club is now officially part of CAPA – The Canadian Association for Photographic Art. What does that mean for you? More opportunities, more exposure (pun intended), and a chance to show off your skills on a national stage!

One of the coolest perks is the chance to enter national competitions. Here’s the deal:

⚠️ But here’s the catch: it’s first come, first serve. Think of it like lining up for concert tickets, except way more fun (and less expensive).

So, if you’ve got a shot you’re proud of, send it to me at president@sackvillephotoclub.com before someone else beats you to it.

📏 Image specifications are listed below—make sure your photos fit the bill so they don’t get disqualified.

Let’s show Canada what Sackville photographers can do!

Submission Deadline	Genre	Notes
October 15th 2025	Nature/Wildlife	Botanical – ONLY wild plants photographed in their natural environment are permitted in this theme such as: flowers, scrubs, bushes, trees, fungi and algae.  Human created hybrid plants or “cultivated plants” are not permitted.Cultivated plants are ones that are planted and maintained by humans as opposed to emerging naturally in the environment.  Wild flowers or plants grown in a botanical garden are accepted in this theme. In cases where a plant species is known to occur in the wild and has been cultivated by humans, the judging panel will give the image the “benefit-of-the-doubt” and accept the image as meeting the definition of this theme. “Hand-of-man” elements shall not be present, except where those human elements are integral part of the nature story, and should not exceed 10% of the image space. (The 10% image space area will be used as guide by the judges and is not a factor for disqualification.) Insects, Reptiles & Amphibians – such as: alligators, ants, bees, beetles, butterflies, crickets, crocodiles, dragonflies, frogs, gecko, hornets, iguana, lizard, mantis, mosquitoes, snakes, turtles, wasps, etc… “Hand-of-man” elements shall not be present, except where those human elements are integral part of the nature story, and should not exceed 10% of the image space. (The 10% image space area will be used as guide by the judges and is not a factor for disqualification.)Landscape – subjects such as weather phenomena, geological formations, landscapes, seascapes and natural phenomena, planets, stars and astronomical events. “Hand-of-man” elements shall not be present.Nature – such as living animals (including arthropods, spiders and crustaceans), birds and marine subjects, which are living under the unobvious control and feeding of humans in situations such as zoos, game farms, animal reserves, and/or aquariums, etc. No domestic or feral animals/birds are permitted in this theme. Domestic and feral animals include, but are not limited to camels, cats, chickens, dogs, donkeys, goats, horses, rabbits, pigs, rock doves, sheep, starlings, and water buffalo. “Hand-of-man” elements shall not be present in the Nature theme, except where those human elements are integral part of the nature story, and should not exceed 10% of the image space. (The 10% image space area will be used as guide by the judges and is not a factor for disqualification.)Wildlife –This theme is restricted to living and untamed wildlife mammals, birds and marine subjects ONLY. Wildlife subjects for this theme must be living free and cannot be living in traditional zoos, open-range zoos, game farms or other areas where they are under the care of man, restrained and/or confined.For this theme, nature parks are considered natural environments because the animals are not in “controlled conditions“.Wild animals and birds with scientific bands, tags or radio collars, are permitted in this theme, but those with tethers or harness attachments are not permitted. No domestic or feral animals/birds are permitted in this theme. Domestic and feral animals include, but are not limited to camels, cats, chickens, dogs, donkeys, goats, horses, rabbits, pigs, rock doves, sheep, starlings, and water buffalo.No hand-of-man is permitted in the Wildlife theme.Wildlife images can also be entered into the Nature theme.
November 15th 2025	Monochrome	Submitted image must fall within one of the following themes:Candid Person(s) – images that capture unscripted moments of subtle interactions, and spontaneous dramas of everyday human life – genuine moments found in street scenes, cultural gatherings, or daily activities rather than posed portraits or professional models.  Natural Surroundings – images that showcase the raw beauty and drama of our environment through weather phenomena, geological formations, cityscapes, landscapes, seascapes, and celestial events. Human elements may be included if they serve to enhance the scale or narrative of the natural scene.Dramatic Contrast & Shadows– images where the interplay of light and shadow creates compelling visual narratives through low-key, silhouette, or selective lighting techniques. Image may include architectural elements, human forms, urban structures or natural subjects.Nostalgia – images that transport viewers through time by capturing the weathered beauty of bygone eras, from abandoned places and vintage artifacts to creative composites that bridge past and present.
January 30th 2026	Fine Art	Submitted image must fall within one of the following themes:Abstract –imaginative abstract images that showcase creativity in using shape, colour, light and composition in new or uncommon ways. Both natural and everyday scenes presented with a fresh perspective are encouraged, rather than images primarily created with filters and actions.Landscape – transform urban or rural landscapes into evocative artistic expressions that go beyond basic scenic documentation. Images should reveal hidden perspectives, dramatic atmospheres, or emotional connections through creative use of light, weather, composition, and timing.Creative Vision – transform familiar subjects and scenes through creative manipulation of perspective, light, and context to create an otherworld narrative where reality and imagination intertwine.Still Life –transform inanimate objects traditional or non-traditional artistic arrangement of inanimate objects using lighting, depth of field, and perspective to find the beauty in ordinary things. “Still Life” for the purpose of this theme, is defined as “a work of art that focuses on commonplace, inanimate subjects.” That can include both manmade objects (vases, items of clothing, and consumer products), and natural objects (flowers and plants, food, rocks, and shells).
February 28th 2026	Inspiration Open Colour	Submitted image must fall within one of the following themes:Man-Made Environments – Images that highlight the contrast of color within human-constructed spaces: vibrant, tight, and/or sprawling urban centers, rural structures with rich palettes of colour and the working landscapes of farming communities.Seasonal Transitions – Images which capture nature’s shifting color palette as it transforms landscapes, flora, and atmospheric conditions throughout the year’s natural cycles. Action & Motion – Images in this theme should convey excitement, speed, and movement through colour. Images can be a result of panning effects, slow shutter speeds or freezing fast action. The sources of inspiration are boundless – whether it’s animals, birds, dance, sports, traffic, vehicles, or any other dynamic subject in motion.Cultural Events – Using colour, movement and celebration, these images will capture the vibrant traditions, festivities, and ceremonies that showcase the rich tapestry of human existence and expression. Close-up – Showcasing an intimate exploration of form and detail, these images will reveal the extraordinary world of color, pattern, and texture hidden within everyday subjects.
March 15th 2026	Atlantic Zone	This is an open theme competition and all submitted images must have been captured in the Atlantic Zone.This competition welcomes a variety of subjects such as animals, birds, insects, landscape, nature, people, domesticated animals and wildlife and can include altered reality images.
April 15th 2026	Triptych – Three Images	Submitted image must fall within one of the following themes: Differences in  Building Structures – images capture the distinct architectural character of urban, rural, and industrial environments, showcasing how different building styles, materials, and purposes create unique visual narratives. Human Connection – images that capture the movement of humankind through the world of domesticity, the frenetic pace of public spaces or the hustle and bustle of work environments.Nature Scene – capture three image aspects of nature ranging from dramatic landscapes to intimate details, showing the patterns and transformations found in the natural world.Abstract transformation – transform that turns the familiar into the interesting with everyday objects by revealing unexpected patterns and perspectives.
April 30th 2026	Canada My Country	Welcome to the 2026 Canada My Country Competition. This annual event celebrates the rich diversity of Peopleand Places across our nation.This year, we want to showcase the People and who call Canada home. and the varied Landscape which surround us all.Landscape –  from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast to our Far North, your submitted photographs should showcase our beautiful country and its vast riches of natural and man-made wonders.People – images of individuals who call Canada home, photographed in their daily activities, street scenes, workplaces, formal settings, community gatherings, and the varied environments where Canadian life unfolds.

Editing Criteria

Eligibility Criteria – Prior to submitting any photo in a CAPA competition, all entrants must first read the CAPA Eligibility Criteria relating to images submissions. – READ ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA HERE

Permitted Editing Techniques:

Cropping: adjusting the composition of the image by cropping is allowed – straightening and perspective correction.

HDR (High Dynamic Range): combining multiple exposures to extend the dynamic range and enhancement to the presentation

Focus Stacking: merging images with different focus points to increase the depth of field

Dodging/Burning: lightening or darkening specific areas of the images to enhance the presentation

Removal of Camera Artifacts: techniques to remove dust spots, digital noise, and film scratches caused by the camera.

Editing Techniques Not Permitted:

Images without Photographic Origin: Images that are entirely generated electronically with no photographic origin.

Manipulating Content: Adding, relocating, or removing elements from an image (e.g. objects and background) is strictly prohibited as it alters the reality of what the photo represents.

Misrepresentative Filters: Applying filters or effects that dramatically change the image’s mood or perception is not allowed.  Such alternations can mislead viewers, affecting their understanding of the original scene at the time of capture. 

Frames, Borders, Pin-lines, and Mats: Photograph must not contain any decorative elements like frames, borders, pin-lines, or mats.  This includes the edges and markings of scanned film.  When the frame is integral to the captured image, for instance a window frame or door frame that has been captured by the camera, these elements are permitted.

Artificial Intelligence Renderings: Images created or modified using Generative AI (GEN-AI) technology are not permitted in this competition. Any submitted Generative AI image (in whole or in part) will be disqualified.
Entrants are reminded that all parts of the image have to be photographed by the author who is holding the copyright of all works submitted.
These GEN-AI restrictions apply whether or not text prompts are used in the AI generation process.

We strongly recommend that you to review our – February 1, 2025 – Updated CAPA Stance on AI-Generated Images in Photographic Competitions (English)(French)

Image Metadata Required:

All submitted photographs should maintain complete, unaltered original metadata (EXIF). Preserving this information facilitates verification of potential winning entries.

Submissions must include full metadata from post-processing applications to ensure competition integrity. Screenshots and screen captures are not accepted as they remove essential metadata needed for fair evaluation.

The Competition Director will request original un-retouched JPEG or RAW files for potential winning images to verify compliance. Only images with intact metadata will be accepted for verification and authentication purposes.

Photographers of potential winning entries may be required to submit all original files, including unretouched JPG/RAW files, XMP files, and any other image files incorporated into the final submission.

If a photographer fails to provide requested image files when asked by the Director, their potential winning entry will be withdrawn and competition results recalculated.

These requirements aim to ensure transparency and verify adherence to the competition’s specifications regarding image authenticity and compliance with the editing criteria.

Accepted Image Types:

– Colour images
– Black & White image
– Colour images converted to black & white

Image Specifications

Title of Image

When images are uploaded into a competition, you are required to enter the title of your image into the Title Field which is now limited to 32 characters. Title can be in either  English or French.

Do Not: enter your name, the name of the photographer or the club name in the Title Field (that is for the Title of the image)

Do Not: include punctuation or symbols (such as / –_  , ; : ‘’ “” ! ? & $%*{} [ ] @ # &) or quotation marks in the Title of your image.

The Image Title should be simple, and introduce or set the mood or perspective for your image.  For example:  Sublime Nova Scotia Sunset

A weak image title, such as ‘pretty flower,’ will fail to stimulate the judge’s interest in the image and may result in a lower score than expected.

Image File Name

The image file name that you create prior to uploading into this competition should also be simple, and could be the same as the Image Title. For example: John Snow-Sublime Nova Scotia Sunset

Image Size – Dimensions

You must ensure your image is re-sized to meet the following two parameters:

Saved as a jpg image with a maximum file size of 1.8 MB.

Dimensions: Maximum horizontal size: 1400 pixels and maximum vertical size: 1050 pixels.

Example of Image Sizing – Double-click to view image

Note: Images smaller than the maximum dimensions will ONLY be accepted when one of the image edges has a horizontal size is 1400 pixels or the vertical size is 1050 pixels.  For example: square image – 1050 x 1050 pixels; 1400 x 800 pixels; or 700 x 1050 pixels.

Note: Images will NOT be rotated by the judges and will scored as submitted.

During the uploading process of your image, our online competition system will verify if the image is less than 1.8 MB and meets the two parameters.

If your image fails this verification process, you will receive an error message and it will appear below the upload image box.

Depending on the error message – you will need to either reduce the file size of the image to be 1.8 MB or less or re-size the dimensions of your image.  After doing so, please re-try uploading your image.

Suggestions – Use sRGB colour space for your image.  For colour accuracy: we strongly recommend that you calibrate your monitor to ensure colour accuracy from your monitor to the image projected to the judges.