The following rules apply in addition to the general rules only where they have been specifically identifed as applying.
 

Definition of NATURE used in PAGB competitions

Last updated February 2021 (update based on the revised definition by PAGB of May 2020 availble in original form at www.thepagb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/nature_eligibillity.pdf).

Nature means Images where living organisms are the primary subject matter. The story telling value of an Image will normally be weighed more than the pictorial quality.

Nature includes:

• Images taken with subjects in controlled conditions such as zoos, game parks, botanic gardens, aquariums and enclosures where the subjects are dependent on man for food. Scientific bands, tags or collars are permissible.

Nature excludes:

• Images where the subjects are obviously domestic animals or plants.

• Images where an obviously artistic treatment has been applied. However, processing of the captured image, by cropping, exposure adjustment, colour correction, noise minimisation, dodging/burning, HDR, focus stacking and sharpening, is permitted, as is cloning of image defects and minor distractions including overlapping elements. 

An Image appearing to meet these criteria will be accepted as Nature.

The Judges will normally assume that any Image presented to them is eligible. Access to some biological subjects may be restricted. Where that is relevant, then Photographers warrant that they have followed relevant codes of practices and hold any necessary licences.

See also the Royal Photographic Society's Nature Photographers' Code of Practice, which is neatly summarised as "There is one hard and fast rule, whose spirit must be observed at all times. The welfare of the subject is more important than the photograph."
 

Black and White (Monochrome) Photography

Last updated February 2021 (update based on the revised definition by PAGB of May 2020 availble in original form at www.thepagb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/monochrome_eligibility.pdf)

Monochrome Images include:

• An Image in tones of neutral grey ranging from transparent/white to opaque/black.

• An Image in a single colour:

  o A Print using a chemical process such as sepia, cyanotype, etc..
  o A digitally produced Image ‘colorized’ in a single hue.