4th VICTOR POLYNSKY AWARD, 2022

Download Rules in PDF
Victor Polynsky (1965-2013): Photographer Victor Polynsky was born and raised in Kyrgyzstan. He loved his homeland and was a true patriot. Most of all he liked the nature of a small but very beautiful country: snow-capped mountains, magnificent waterfalls, flowering spring field, and, of course, the picturesque lake Issyk-Kul. Even as a small boy he was fascinated by all this magnificence and variety and already decided for themselves that will never go away from here and will see the beauty of all the people around. When Victor was 8 years old, his mother gave the first in his life camera. And this gift is forever identified further work and passion of a small Viti. Over time, Victor has become a truly talented self-taught art photographer and longtime fellow pleased magnificent scenery of Kyrgyzstan. His work has appeared everywhere: in the design of the metropolitan area for the holidays, is the backdrop to the election campaign, there were numerous publications in journals and gift editions, and even five-thousandth denomination of the national currency. Later he created his authorial photography school whose walls has been more than a hundred students. They, like Victor, put your photo in every piece of the soul and the heart. But life is not eternal and merciless, the even the most talented people. And so it happened that Victor left us in the prime of life, October 5, 2013. He was a very good man and will always remain in the memory of people close to him: a loving father and a beloved son, a loyal and sympathetic friend, a wise mentor for students and a talented photographer. Out of respect for him, Victor Polynsky Photo School, organizes this salon.
CONTACTS
Exhibition Chairman: Ali Samei, MFIAP, EFIAP/g, ESFIAP, KB 40, Dom 53, Prospect Chui, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Exhibition & Chair email: VictorPolynsky@gmail.com
SECTIONS
The Salon will consist of 6 sections, all digital:
- Open Monochrome - (Monochrome Only) - PSA PIDM
- Open Color - (Color Only) - PSA PIDC
- Portrait Color - (Color Only) - PSA PIDC
- Creative Color (Altered Reality) - (Color Only) - PSA PIDC
- Landscape - (Color/Grayscale Monochrome) - PSA PTD & FIAP TRAD
- Photojournalism- (Color/Grayscale Monochrome) - PSA PJD & FIAP TRAD
Monochrome images may not be entered in Color sections.
Each entrant may submit a maximum of 4 images in each of the 6 sections.
Rules & Submission: www.VictorPolynsky.com
Image Size: Photos must be in JPEG, RGB file format, maximum 2 MB.
Maximum Dimensions: 1920 pix. Horizontal side and 1080 pix. Vertical side.
PDF CATALOGUE & Certificate of Acceptance/Award is downloadable from the Result Page of the site.
ENTRY FEES
Single Entrants: 1-2 Sections: Euro 24, 3-4 Sections: Euro 27 & all 6 Sections: Euro 29
Group Entries - Discount Rates (% of Total Fee): 5-9 Entrants: 10 %, 10-20 Entrants: 15 %, 21-40 Entrants: 20% & 40+ Entrants: 25 % Discount
Entry fee can be paid with PayPal through our web site. Login and go to “Pay Entry Fee” in the left menu.
NON PAYMENT OF FEES Entries for which no fee is received will not be judged.
CALENDAR
- Closing date: 20 August 2022
- All judging completed by 10 September 2022
- Notifications sent by 24 September 2022
- On-Line Gallery posted by 27 September 2022
- Awards mailed by 26 November 2022
- Catalogs posted by 26 November 2022
- Public Showings of Projected Images by 26 November 2022
JURY (All Sections)
- Miroslav PREDOJEVIC, MF FSS-Serbia
- Buket OZATAY, EPSA, EFIAP/d2- Cyprus
- Seyed Ehsan MORTAZAVI, EFIAP/b-Iran
AWARDS
Totally 121 Awards!
Best Author Award: FIAP light Blue Badge
Awards in Each Section:
1-FIAP Gold Medal
1-PSA Gold Medal
1-Salon.Photo Bronze Medal
2-FIAP Ribbons
15-Honorable Mention Certificates
NOTIFICATIONS
Notification of results will be sent by email. Entrants should ensure that they provide an active email address and that spam filters are set to accept emails from Result@Salon.Photo. Notifications will not be sent by post. Also you may download a PDF certificate of acceptance/award and an Excel file of your results from your account. Just login to your account and go to "My Results" page on the left menu. There is an available option to resend your report card to your email by yourself, too.
PARTICIPATION
IMAGE AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS This exhibition is open to anyone (amateur and professional photographers from all over the world); 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.
Sanctions: Entries will not be accepted from any entrant who is currently sanctioned by PSA & FIAP.
PSA Star Ratings
To receive proper Star ratings credit from PSA, entrants must provide their names and country exactly the same in each exhibition. Aliases are not permitted. Please contact PSA in the event of name changes or relocating to another country.
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. 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. Note: Entrants who indicate that their images may not be reproduced or used “will not be eligible for awards” or inclusion in audio-visuals of the exhibition “and could be subject to disqualification” by the exhibition sponsors. 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 maker. 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 author.
Re-use of accepted images: Once an image has been accepted in this exhibition it may not be entered again in any future instances of this exhibition. It may, of course, be entered in any other PSA/FIAP recognised exhibitions but must always have the same title.
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.
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 maker. 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.
Submission of works:
Rules & Submission: www.VictorPolynsky.com
Image Size: Photos must be in JPEG, RGB file format, maximum 2 MB.
Maximum Dimensions: 1920 pix. Horizontal side and 1080 pix. Vertical side.
Images and a completed entry form must be submitted on line using the exhibition website.
You MUST use only the English alphabet and numeric (A-Z, 0-9) when submitting an entry. Don’t use special characters such as - _!? & @ İı Şş Ğğ Çç Ññ Õõ Àà Ää Ââ Éé Èè Êê Ëë Óó Òò Ŏŏ Öö Øø Ôô Ùù Ûû Üü ....
AN AUTHOR MAY NOT ENTER IDENTICAL OR SIMILAR PHOTOGRAPHS INTO DIFFERENT SECTIONS.
All images are to be submitted in JPEG format. It is recommended that images should use RGB Color Space. Smaller images are acceptable but will be projected smaller on the screen. Please check all image sizes before submission, images with sizes greater than specified will be rejected. The projection background is black, Please DO NOT fill empty space with/or add large borders. Any borders should be no greater than 3-5 pixels wide.
ORGANIZATION
The Exhibition will be conducted in accordance with the rules of the PSA, FIAP & Salon.Photo.
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.
An image may be entered in only one section.
JUDGING METHOD
It will be Online Judging and the Salon Chairman will be responsible for all set-ups.
Award session will be done at the video conference by the jury viewing the images together.
Judges will be using equipment capable of displaying images at 100%.
The monitors will be color-calibrated for the judges during judging.
FIAP does not permit acceptances rates higher than 25%.
The jury's decision is final and it cannot be changed in any case.
DATA PROTECTION
By entering this exhibition, you are explicitly consenting to the personal details you have supplied, including email addresses, being held, processed and used by the exhibition organizers for purposes associated with this exhibition. You also explicitly consent to such information being sent to organizations that have accorded official recognition, patronage or accreditation to this exhibition. You acknowledge and accept that entering this exhibition means that the status and results of your entry may be made public.
SUBJECT MATTER AND SECTION DEFINITIONS
All entries shall conform to the stricter of these definitions for acceptances and awards to be validated by all the International Organizations granting recognition or patronage.
Salon Definitions
In open sections, entrants can enter photos with any kind of theme: for example: portrait, people, nature, wildlife, landscape, architecture, still-life photography, digital imaging, HDR photos, etc. All acceptance eligibility shall be in accordance with the PID Star Ratings or the Galaxy/Diamond Ratings requirements as appropriate.
Monochrome images may not be entered in the Open Color Section. The color and monochrome versions of same image, regardless of title, cannot entered in different sections of this Salon.
Portrait Definition: The portraits must be only from human. Only Color photos acceptable.
Creative Definition (Altered Reality): The image may be of any subject matter and must obviously display a change in natural color, form, shape or any combination of these three. All images must be original and may not incorporate elements produced by anyone else. Only Color photos acceptable.
All Photos in the Landscape Section shall conform to FIAP Traditional Photo and PSA Photo Travel definitions.
All Photos in the Photojournalism Section shall conform to FIAP Traditional Photo and PSA Photojournalism definitions.
FIAP Definitions
FIAP Monochrome Definition
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 color 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 color becomes a color work (polychrome) to stand in the color category; such a work requires color reproduction in the catalogue of a salon under FIAP Patronage.
FIAP Traditional Photo Definition
A traditional photograph maintains the original image content with minimal adjustments which should not alter the reality of the scene and should appear natural. Rearranging, replacing, adding to or removing any part of the original image except by cropping is strictly forbidden.
PSA Definitions
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 FIAP patronage or 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 FIAP patronage or 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. This rule applies regardless of whether or not the creature being killed, injured or stressed is visible in the captured image.
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.
Entry in this exhibition is conditional on accepting these policies. The content of images must comply with these 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 FIAP patronage/PSA recognition.
Further details on the PSA's drone policy may be found at https://psa-photo.org/index.php?psa-policies#drone
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.
Greyscale Monochrome images may be entered for Photo Travel Photojournalism but toned images are not permitted for these divisions.
PSA Photo Travel Definition
A Photo Travel image expresses the characteristic features or culture of a land as they are found naturally. There are no geographical limitations. Images from events or activities arranged specifically for photography, or of subjects directed or hired for photography are not permitted. Close up pictures of people or objects must include features that provide information about the location.
Techniques that add, relocate, replace or remove any element of the original image, except by cropping, are not permitted. The only allowable adjustments are removal of dust or digital noise, restoration of the appearance of the original scene, and complete conversion to greyscale monochrome. Other derivations, including infrared, are not permitted. All images must look natural.
Vignettes and Borders
For the purpose of this exhibition vignettes are not allowed in Photo Travel Digital images. Any border added must be a single border of white or grey, no greater than 3-5 pixels in width.
Attention is drawn to the PSA Statement on Subject Matter which applies to all sections.
PSA Photojournalism Definition
Photojournalism entries are images with informative content and emotional impact, reflecting the human presence in our world. The journalistic (story-telling) value of the image should receive priority over pictorial quality. Images that misrepresent the truth, such as those from events or activities arranged specifically for photography, or of subjects directed or hired for photography, are not eligible.
Techniques that add, relocate, replace, remove or change any element in the original scene, except by cropping, are not permitted. All images must look natural. The only allowable modifications are removal of dust, scratches or digital noise and restoration of the appearance of the existing scene, or complete conversion to greyscale monochrome. Other derivations, including infrared, are not eligible.
Vignettes and Borders
For the purpose of this exhibition vignettes are not allowed in Photojournalism Digital images. Any border added must be a single border of white or grey, no greater than 3-5 pixels in width.
Attention is drawn to the PSA Statement on Subject Matter which applies to all sections.
BREACHES OF RULES
FIAP
By the sole act of submitting his/her images or files to a salon under FIAP Patronage, the entrant accepts without exception and with no objection the following terms:
- that the submitted images can be investigated by FIAP to establish if these obey to FIAP regulations and definitions even if the entrant is not a member of FIAP,
- that FIAP will use any means at its disposal for this undertaking,
- that any refusal to cooperate with FIAP or any refusal to submit the original files as captured by the camera, or failure to provide sufficient evidence, will be sanctioned by FIAP,
- that in case of sanctions following the non-compliance with FIAP regulations, the name of the entrant will be released in any form useful to inform the breaches of the rules.
IMPORTANT: Concerning digital entries, FIAP recommends that authors should preserve intact, with no alteration, the original metadata of images. In case of contestation for incompliance with FIAP regulations the fact of not being able to access this important data could mean that the author could be sanctioned.
Each author whose image shows any suspicions about the compliance with FIAP regulations or definitions can be requested by the organizer or by FIAP, to submit the original file (file containing the data recorded by the sensor, if so, the RAW file) plus the file of the image immediately before and immediately following the questionable image. If he/she failed to provide what is required, he can be sanctioned.
Persons who are found guilty of plagiarism are excluded lifelong from FIAP activities.
It is recommended to leave the EXIF data in the submitted files intact in order to ease eventual investigations. If at any time, it is determined in the reasonable discretion of the exhibition organizer or the judges before, during, or after the judging of an exhibition that an entrant has submitted entries where one or more images may fail to comply with these Conditions of Entry, including the stated definitions, the exhibition organizers reserve the right to delete the entry from the exhibition and void any or all acceptances or awards in connection with the exhibition. Fees may be forfeited or refunded in these circumstances. The entrant acknowledges that the decision of the exhibition organizers or the judges is final.
PSA
If, at any time, it is determined in the reasonable discretion of the exhibition organizer or the judges before, during, or after the judging of an exhibition that an entrant has submitted entries where one or more images may fail to comply with these Conditions of Entry, including the stated definitions, the exhibition organizers reserve the right to delete the entry from the exhibition and void any or all acceptances or awards in connection with the exhibition. Fees may be forfeited or refunded in these circumstances. The entrant acknowledges that the decision of the exhibition organizers or the judges is final
In order to ensure that images comply with the Conditions of Entry and definitions, the exhibition organizers may carry out reasonable measures to verify that:
- a) the images are the original work of the entrant and
- b) the images comply with the rules and definitions as set out in these Conditions of Entry
These steps include, but are not limited to, questioning any entrant, requiring the submission of RAW files or other digital files representing the original capture of the submitted image(s), confronting the entrant with evidence that one or more submitted images fails to comply with the Conditions of Entry (also known as Entry Rules), and offering the entrant a reasonable opportunity to provide counter evidence to refute the exhibition organizer’s evidence by a set deadline. Such entries that are not cleared or are still questionable after the entrant has presented evidence may be considered in breach of these Conditions of Entry, and declined. Such entries may be referred to PSA for further investigation of possible ethics violations
PSA retains the right to investigate in any way all complaints/suspicions of breaches of entry conditions, impose sanctions if deemed necessary, void the acceptances of any image found to violate the PSA rules, include the entrant’s name on the list of sanctions provided to Exhibitions, and share such investigations with FIAP. Entrants automatically agree to these terms by the act of entering the Exhibition and agree to cooperate with any investigation.
If another party is submitting images on the entrant’s behalf, the entrant will still be held responsible for adhering to these Conditions of Entry (Entry Rules) and will be subject to sanction for any violations to these Conditions of Entry and PSA’s Statement of Ethics that may result. If another party is processing images for an entrant or submitting images on the entrant’s behalf, the entrant will still be held responsible for adhering to all Conditions of Entry including the specific conditions in the relevant definitions.
FIAP NOTICE: In order to have legal authority on those who do not respect the rules of FIAP, the organiser must make sure that all participants of an online event under FIAP Patronage tick a box next to which the following text is stated:
“I hereby expressly agree to FIAP document 018/2017 « Conditions and regulations for FIAP Patronage » and FIAP document 033/2021« Sanctions for breaching FIAP regulations and the red list ». I am particularly aware of chapter II « Regulations for International photographic events under FIAP patronage » of FIAP document 018/2017, dealing under Section II.2 and II.3 with the FIAP participation rules, the sanctions for breaching FIAP regulations and the red list”
FIAP documents 018/2017 and 033/2021 must be linked to this paragraph so that participants can consult it.
PSA 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.
AGREEMENT
SUBMISSION OF AN ENTRY SIGNIFIES ACCEPTANCE OF THESE CONDITIONS