- There are six sections:

A) MONOCHROME OPEN (monochrome) FIAP, GPU, IAAP and PSA PID-M
B) COLOUR OPEN (color) FIAP, GPU, IAAP and PSA PID-C
C) STREET (color) FIAP, GPU, IAAP and PSA PID-C
D) PEOPLE (color) FIAP, GPU, IAAP and PSA PID-C
E) OUR WORLD (monochrome) FIAP, GPU, IAAP and PSA PID-M
F) NATURE (color/monochrome) FIAP, GPU, IAAP and PSA ND

The coveted Singapore International Photography Awards shall be conferred on the entrant who accumulates the highest number of points from the various sections in one Salon. In case of a tie, the exhibitor who wins more awards shall be declared the recipient. Entrants are encouraged to submit entries for all the sections.

In addition, a FIAP Blue Pin will be awarded to the Best Author who achieved the highest number of total acceptances. will be awarded for the entrant with the highest number of points from the various sections in one Salon. In case of a tie, the exhibitor who wins more awards shall be declared the recipient. Entrants are encouraged to submit entries for all the sections.

The Photographic Society of Singapore (PSS) is pleased to announce the introduction of 5 new Exhibition Distinctions to recognise the achievements attained through active participation of our Singapore International Photography Awards exhibitions (SIPA).

The Jury will assign 145 awards FIAP Blue Badge. The jury reserves the right to grant additional awards. Points for SIPA Award:

Gold Medal 5 points
Silver Medal 4 points
Bronze Medal 3 points
Honor Mention 2 points
Acceptance 1 point

Closing Date 26th September 2023
All Judging completed by 08th October 2023
Notification sent by 17th October 2023
Awards mailed by 06th December 2023
On-Line Gallery posted by 06th December 2023
E-Catalogue posted by 06th December 2023
Exhibition by Slides show will be held at The Photographic Society of Singapore at 30 Selegie Road, Selegie Art Centre, Singapore 188351. From 8th December 2023 to 11th December 2023.

Entry Fees and Payment Methods

1 & 2 sections: US$18.00
3 & 4 sections: US$20.00
5 & 6 sections: US$22.00

• Online entry only at https://www.sipa.org.sg
• Payment by PayPal at exhibition website or PayPal to [email protected]
• Entries receive without fee will not be judged.
• There will be no discounts for individuals or groups

IMAGE AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS This exhibition is open to anyone; however, an entry may be rejected when the Sponsor or the Exhibition Organizers, in their reasonable discretion, believes the entry does not conform to exhibition rules and these Conditions of Entry. Membership in any photographic organization is not required.

Penalties: Entries will not be accepted from any entrant who has put on the PSA Penalties List for Ethics Violation. Entry fees are not refundable in these circumstances.

PSA Star Ratings
To receive proper Star ratings credit from PSA, entrants must provide their names and country exactly the same way in each exhibition. Aliases are not permitted. Please contact PSA in the event of name changes or relocating to another country. Using one’s name differently in different exhibition exposes the entrant to the risk that many of their acceptances may not be recognized by PSA Star Ratings.

Image Creation
Entries must originate as photographs (image-captures of objects via light sensitivity) made by the entrant on photographic emulsion or acquired digitally.

Certification:
By virtue of submitting an image, the entrant certifies the work as his or her own. Images may not incorporate elements produced by anyone else (for example: clip art, images or art by others downloaded from the Internet). Aliases are not allowed.

Reproduction
The entrant permits the sponsors to reproduce all or part of the entered material free of charge for publication and/or display in media related to the exhibition. This may include low resolution posting on a website. The Photographic Society of America (PSA) may request specific permission from entrants to reproduce entered images in its educational materials. The terms of that permission will be mutually agreed between the entrant and PSA except in the circumstances where the entered image is found to breach the PSA Ethics Policy. In those circumstances the image may be reproduced by PSA, without the entrant’s further permission, for educational purposes to illustrate serious exhibition rule violations. For those reproductions, the entrant’s name will be withheld.
Entries will not be accepted from entrants who indicate that their images may not be reproduced in materials related to the exhibition.” The exhibition assumes no liability of any misuse of copyright.

Alteration and Computer Generation Subject to Divisional restrictions (particularly Nature, Photo Travel, and Photojournalism) images may be altered, either electronically or otherwise, by the entrant; adjustments to enhance images or creatively modify images are allowed providing the underlying photograph is retained in a way that is obvious to the viewer. Images may not be constructed entirely with a computer, and must be the sole work of the entrant.

Re-use of accepted images: Any image that has been accepted in this exhibition, past or present, may not be entered again in the same Division Star Ratings Class in any future instances of this exhibition. It may, of course, be entered in any other PSA recognised exhibitions but must always have the same title. Re-titling in another language is not allowed.

Entry: An Entry consists of, up to and including, four (4) images entered by a single entrant into the same Section. An entrant may only enter a specific Section once. Entrants may not enter identical or similar images into the same section or different sections of the same exhibition.

Titles:
Each image must have a unique title that is a description of the image. That unique title must be used for entry of that image or of an identical Image into any and all PSA-Recognized exhibitions. Titles must be 35 characters or fewer. No titles may be visible to the judges, and nothing in the image may identify the entrant. Titles may not include file extensions such as .jpg or .jpeg (or any other camera capture filenames such as IMG 471). Titles may not consist of personal identifiers possibly augmented by a number; or include words such as “untitled” or “no title”. Titles may not consist solely of numbers unless those numbers are prominently contained within the image, such as a contestant number in a race.

Color and Monochrome:
Color and Monochrome images from the same capture that share substantial pictorial content in common will be considered the same image and must be given the same title.

The Exhibition will be conducted in accordance with the rules of the PSA and of FIAP
An entrant’s images will not be presented to the judges consecutively. An entrant’s four images will be distributed throughout four rounds of judging in that section. Distribution of images will be in the same round order as submitted by the entrant. At no stage will a judge be able to view all the entrant’s images together.

Judging Methods:
• Onsite judging.
• Judges will use color-calibrated TV and computer monitors.
• The computer monitors are capable of displaying images at 100% of the image resolution and that images will be displayed at exactly 100% of their resolution (that is, that the images will not be enlarged beyond their native resolution).

ALL EXHIBITIONS ACCEPTING DIGITAL ENTRIES

• Photos must be in JPEG format, dimensions no more than 1920 pixels horizontal by no more than 1080 pixels vertical side max at 300 dpi, JPEG compression value 7-12. Maximum file size is 3Mb. This is the native resolution of the projector so these dimensions will give optimum viewing. Please note, portrait images must be no more than 1080 pixels vertically.

• The photographs of authors with the application are submitted in these ways:
- uploading thought our website: https://www.sipa.org.sg

• NOTICE: When an entrant fills in the Entry Form to submit an entry the entrant will see a feature to affirm, he or she has read these Conditions of Entry when he or she fills out the entry form. If the entrant does not so affirm the entry will not be submitted.

PSS Exhibition Distinctions
The distinctions are open for application when an Exhibitor from LCIS or SIPA (Singapore International Photography Awards) start with year 2014 has met the rules and conditions as described below:

1. Bronze Exhibitor level - BEPSS
Beginning from 2014, any Exhibitor(s) who had accumulated a total of 10 acceptances from SIPA exhibitions are eligible to apply for the BRONZE level BEPSS distinction. Exhibitors may use acceptances obtained from any sections in SIPA and LCIS. In other words, combine acceptances achieved from PPD, PID-C, PID-M, ND, PTD and/or PJD. Any previously accepted image(s) from former SIPA exhibitions must not be used.

2. Silver Exhibitor level - SEPSS
Any BEPSS title holder(s) may apply for the SEPSS distinction when the Exhibitor(s) have accumulated another 20 acceptances in SIPA and LCIS exhibitions. A total of 30 SIPA and LCIS acceptances are required for the SILVER level. The rules and conditions for application for Bronze level shall apply and Exhibitors must hold the BEPSS for a period of 1 year before they may apply.

3. Gold Exhibitor level - GEPSS
Holders of SEPSS may apply for the GEPSS distinction when the Exhibitor(s) have accumulated another 30 acceptances from SIPA and LCIS exhibitions. A total of 60 SIPA and LCIS acceptances are required for GOLD level.

4. Platinum Exhibitor level - PEPSS
Holders of GEPSS may apply for the PEPSS distinction when the Exhibitor(s) have accumulated another 30 acceptances in SIPA and LCIS exhibitions. A total of 90 SIPA and LCIS acceptances are required for the PLATINUM level.

5. Diamond Exhibitor level - DEPSS
Holders of PEPSS must sign up as PSS Life Membership before apply for the DEPSS distinction when the Exhibitor(s) have accumulated another 30 acceptances from SIPA and LCIS exhibitions. A total of 120 SIPA and LCIS acceptances are required for DIAMOND level. The DEPSS is our highest order of recognition given to Exhibitors of SIPA/LCIS. DEPSS holders are entitled to participate in SIPA and LCIS with a LIFETIME fee waiver of entry fees.

When an Exhibitor is qualified to apply, he/she is required to prepare a spreadsheet using MS Excel indicating the (a) Year, (b) Section and (c) Title of the acceptances. The spreadsheet should be submitted together with an application form to PSS along with an application fee of SGD40.00. The applicant should be an active member of PSS at the time of application. He/She must apply step by step for the Exhibitor distinction, first from BEPSS, then SEPSS, GEPSS, PEPSS and the highest of DEPSS.

All successful applications will received a formal certificate along with a high quality medal accompanying the distinction.

For more details, kindly email the Salon Chairman at [email protected]

Color Open Section (PID-C) - Onsite Judging
Koon Peng GOH, Singapore Hon FPSS, Hon FPSNJ, FPSS, ARPS
Michael EE, Singapore MFIAP, EFIAP, FPSS, PPSA, Hon EPSS, PSA ND Galaxy 1
Thigh WANNA, Myanmar MPSA, GPSA, EFIAP, FRPS, FPSS

Monochrome Open Section (PID-M) – Onsite Judging
Chu Teik LIM, Singapore Hon FPSS, Hon FPSNJ, APSS, ARPS
Lay Tin GHO, Singapore GMPSA, PSA Galaxy 8, EFIAP, ESPSS, ARPS, APSS, FPSEA, APAS, ASCPS
Zee Kek HENG, Singapore EFIAP/p, GMPSA/b, GPU CR5, SAWIEP, APAS, G.M.S UPHK, Hon.FUPHK, PSA Who’s Who Top 10 Exhibitors-2013 (PPD-MB & PPD-CB) & 2014 (PID-C, PIDM, PTD, PTD-P, PJD & PJD-P)

Theme Section: Street (PID-C) - Onsite Judging
Leong Kiat LIM, Singapore Hon FPSS, FPSS, EFIAP, MPSA, BEPSS, PSA PIDC Galaxy 3, PSA PIDM Galaxy 1, PSA PTD Galaxy 1, GPU VIP1, GPU CR3, GPU Aphrodite, ASAP, APSNJ
Lay Tin GHO, Singapore GMPSA, PSA Galaxy 8, EFIAP, ESPSS, ARPS, APSS, FPSEA, APAS, ASCPS
Zee Kek HENG, Singapore EFIAP/p, GMPSA/b, GPU CR5, SAWIEP, APAS, G.M.S UPHK, Hon.FUPHK, PSA Who’s Who Top 10 Exhibitors-2013 (PPD-MB & PPD-CB) & 2014 (PID-C, PIDM, PTD, PTD-P, PJD & PJD-P)

Theme Section: People (PID-C) – Online Judging
Kim Hui GOH, Singapore Hon FPSS, Hon EFIAP, AFIAP
Jing GUO, China EFIAP, GPU CR3, GPU Hermes
Chin Leong TEO, Japan EFIAP, MPSA, GPU CR4, GPU VIP3, GEPSS, HIUP, A.CPE, Hon.CPE, G.APS, PSA Who’s Who 2019 PTD World #5

Theme Section: Our World (PID-M) – Online Judging
Kim Hui GOH, Singapore Hon FPSS, Hon EFIAP, AFIAP
Jing GUO, China EFIAP, GPU CR3, GPU Hermes
Chin Leong TEO, Japan EFIAP, MPSA, GPU CR4, GPU VIP3, GEPSS, HIUP, A.CPE, Hon.CPE, G.APS, PSA Who’s Who 2019 PTD World #5

Nature Section (ND) - Onsite Judging
Koon Peng GOH, Singapore Hon FPSS, Hon FPSNJ, FPSS, ARPS
Michael EE, Singapore MFIAP, EFIAP, FPSS, PPSA, Hon EPSS, PSA ND Galaxy 1
Thigh WANNA, Myanmar MPSA, GPSA, EFIAP, FRPS, FPSS

Monochrome Open Section (PSA PID-M)
• FIAP Gold Medal
• PSA Gold Medal
• PSS – Dr. Gibson Hill Memorial Gold Medal
• GPU Gold Medal
• IAAP Gold, Silver, Bronze Medal
• FIAP Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x2
• PSA Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x2
• PSS Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x3
• GPU Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x2

Color Open Section (PSA PID-C)
• FIAP Gold Medal
• PSA Gold Medal
• PSS – Ang Chwee Chai Memorial Gold Medal
• GPU Gold Medal
• IAAP Gold, Silver, Bronze Medal
• FIAP Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x2
• PSA Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x2
• PSS Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x3
• GPU Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x2

Theme Section : Street (PSA PID-C)
• FIAP Gold Medal
• PSA Gold Medal
• PSS – Yip Cheong Fun Memorial Gold Medal
• GPU Gold Medal
• IAAP Gold, Silver, Bronze Medal
• FIAP Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x2
• PSA Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x2
• PSS Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x3
• GPU Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x2

Theme Section: People (PSA PID-C)
• FIAP Gold Medal
• PSA Gold Medal
• PSS - Lady Yuen Peng McNeice Memorial Gold Medal
• GPU Gold Medal
• IAAP Gold, Silver, Bronze Medal
• FIAP Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x2
• PSA Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x2
• PSS Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x3
• GPU Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x2

Theme Section: Our World (PSA PID-M)
• FIAP Gold Medal
• PSA Gold Medal
• PSS - Kwek Leng Joo Memorial Gold Medal
• GPU Gold Medal
• IAAP Gold, Silver, Bronze Medal
• FIAP Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x2
• PSA Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x2
• PSS Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x3
• GPU Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x2

Nature Section (PSA ND)
• FIAP Gold Medal
• PSA Gold Medal
• PSS - Datok Loke Wan Tho Memorial Gold Medal
• GPU Gold Medal
• IAAP Gold, Silver, Bronze Medal
• FIAP Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x2
• PSA Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x2
• PSS Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x3
• GPU Silver, Bronze, Honor Mention Ribbons x2

Statement on Subject Matter - applicable to all sections
The fundamental rule that must be observed at all times and applies to all sections offered in exhibitions with PSA recognition is that the welfare of living creatures is more important than any photograph. This means that practices such as baiting of subjects with a living creature and removal of birds from nests, for the purpose of obtaining a photograph, are highly unethical, and such photographs are not allowed in any exhibition with PSA recognition. Under no circumstances may a living creature be placed in a situation where it will be killed, injured or stressed for the purpose of obtaining a photograph. Images that show live creatures being fed to captive animals, birds or reptiles are not permitted under any circumstances. There are also concerns about the use of aerial photography, drones, helicopters, low flying aircraft. These should not cause any interference with other individuals or animals which causes a disturbance in their normal activity or disrupt the way any individuals or animals interact with their environment. Entrants in PSA recognized exhibitions should comply with all relevant laws and regulations, associated with aerial photography, in the country in which the image was taken.Entry into PSA recognized exhibitions is conditional on accepting these policies. The content of images must comply with the General Conditions and with the Division and Section definitions listed in these conditions. Images that - in the sole opinion of the judges or the Exhibition Organizers - do not comply, will be disqualified so the entrant may be aware of the problem when considering entry into other exhibitions with PSA recognition.

PSA Monochrome Definition
An image is considered to be Monochrome only if it gives the impression of having no color (i.e. contains only shades of grey which can include pure black and pure white) OR it gives the impression of being a greyscale image that has been toned in one color across the entire image. (For example by Sepia, red, gold, etc.) A greyscale or multi-colored image modified or giving the impression of having been modified by partial toning, multi-toning or by the inclusion of spot coloring does not meet the definition of monochrome and shall be classified as a Color Work.

FIAP Definition of Monochrome
A black and white work fitting from the very dark grey (black) to the very clear grey (white) is a monochrome work with the various shades of grey. A black and white work toned entirely in a single colour will remain a monochrome work able to stand in the black and white category; such a work can be reproduced in black and white in the catalogue of a salon under FIAP Patronage. On the other hand a black and white work modified by a partial toning or by the addition of one colour becomes a colour work (polychrome) to stand in the colour category; such a work requires colour reproduction in the catalogue of a salon under FIAP Patronage. For the purpose of this exhibition, only greyscale images are allowed in monochrome sections. Toned images are not allowed.

Greyscale Monochrome images may be entered for Nature, Photojournalism and Photo Travel but toned images are not permitted for these sections.
Monochrome images may not be entered in Pictorial Prints or PID Color Sections. Separate sections must be offered for Color Pictorial Prints, Monochrome Pictorial Prints, PIDC and PIDM.

Editing Guidelines for Nature, Photojournalism and Photo Travel
These sections require images to be truthful records, so there are limits on the amount of manipulation allowed.

Editing Guidelines

Processing or editing must be limited to making the image look as close to the original scene as possible, except that conversion to grayscale monochrome is allowed.

Allowed editing techniques:
• Cropping, straightening and perspective correction.
• Removal or correction of elements added by the camera or lens, such as dust spots, noise, chromatic aberration and lens distortion.
• Global and selective adjustments such as brightness, hue, saturation and contrast to restore the appearance of the original scene.
• Complete conversion of color images to grayscale monochrome.
• Blending of multiple images of the same subject and combining them in camera or with software (exposure blending or focus stacking);
• Image stitching – combining multiple images with overlapping fields of view that are taken consecutively (panoramas);

Editing techniques that are not allowed:
• Removing, adding to, moving or changing any part of an image, except for cropping and straightening.
• Adding a vignette during processing.
• Blurring parts of the image during processing to hide elements in the original scene.
• Darkening parts of the image during processing to hide elements in the original scene.
• All conversions other than to complete grayscale monochrome. Conversion of parts of an image to monochrome, or partial toning, desaturation or over-saturation of color.
For the purpose of this exhibition any border added to a digital file must be a single border of white or grey, no greater than 3-5 pixels in width.

PSA/FIAP Nature Definition
Nature photography records all branches of natural history except anthropology and archaeology. This includes all aspects of the physical world, both animate and inanimate, that have not been made or modified by humans.
Nature images must convey the truth of the scene that was photographed. A well-informed person should be able to identify the subject of the image and be satisfied that it has been presented honestly and that no unethical practices have been used to control the subject or capture the image. Images that directly or indirectly show any human activity that threatens the life or welfare of a living organism are not allowed.
The most important part of a Nature image is the nature story it tells. High technical standards are expected and the image must look natural. Adding a vignette or blurring the background during processing is not allowed.
Objects created by humans, and evidence of human activity, are allowed in Nature images only when they are a necessary part of the Nature story.
Photographs of human-created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domesticated animals, humancreated hybrid animals and mounted or preserved zoological specimens are not allowed.
Images taken with subjects under controlled conditions, such as zoos, are allowed.
Controlling live subjects by chilling, anaesthetic or any other method of restricting natural movement for the purpose of a photograph is not allowed.
No modification that changes the truth of a Nature image is allowed. Images may be cropped but no other technique that removes, adds or moves any part of the image is allowed.
Techniques that remove elements added by the camera, such as dust spots, digital noise and lens flare are allowed.
Complete conversion of colour images to greyscale monochrome is allowed. Partial conversion, toning and infrared captures or conversions are not allowed. Images of the same subject that are combined in-camera or with software by focus stacking or exposure blending are allowed. Multiple images with overlapping fields of view that are taken consecutively and combined in-camera or with software (image stitching) are allowed.

Attention is drawn to the PSA Statement on Subject Matter which applies to all sections and to the Editing Guidelines for Nature, Photojournalism and Photo Travel

• On-line PDF Catalogue (Downloadable from website).
• Entrants may purchase the high quality Printed SIPA catalogue at US$20.00 (S$10.0 for local participants with Singapore address) and will be send by Air Mail Services, however the catalogue and courier charges of US$20.00 (S$10.0 for local participants) must be paid together with the Entry fee in advance.
• The Organiser shall not be held responsible for any awards which are lost or damaged during transit.
• Local Entrants will have to collect their awards from PSS Clubhouse personally.
• Further details and Conditions of Entry will be posted and can be downloaded from https://www.sipa.org.sg

All entries and correspondence are to be addressed to:

The Photographic Society of Singapore
Mr Jack Goh
Chairman, 70th SIPA
30 Selegie Road, Selegie Art Centre,
Singapore 188351, Republic of Singapore
For enquiries, please email to : [email protected]