In order to achieve an honours distinction, members compile a portfolio or set of images of their own work which are reviewed and assessed by the PSNZ Honours Board.

The portfolio may be submitted in prints or digital images but not a combination of both. Many facets are considered for all distinction levels and it is expected that the applicant will have demonstrated high quality camera work, technical skill, visual awareness, communication, artistry and presentation appropriate to the genre and level being applied for.

Deciding to go for an honours distinction is a big step and one that quite often intimidates us.  Before you start your journey we recommend that you read the "Guidelines - How to Apply for PSNZ Honours"  carefully, talk to members of the Honours Board, attend Honours Board webinars and talk to fellow members who have already achieved success, to learn and understand what is involved and how you go about completing your submission.  Submitting a set is not only a financial investment, but also one of dedication and time.

If you are a member of the PSNZ Facebook Group (closed group) you can post questions and/or ask for guidance.  Many members going for their honours will work with a mentor regardless of the level of distinction being attempted.

How do I Apply?

Honours assessments are not being held in 2024. The normal cycle will return in 2025.

The opening date for portfolios to be submitted to the Secretary of the Honours
Board, on the appropriate application form is January 16th each year. The closing date is 28th February each year. Any submissions received before or after these dates will be returned.

If you are couriering your print submission we recommend you use the ‘tracking with signature’ option. You will receive an acknowledgement upon receipt of  images and application forms.

Applicants can make only one submission per year and may not apply in a different category at a level at which they already hold PSNZ Honours.

Print portfolios should be sent to :
Honours Board Secretary
Stephanie Forrester APSNZ
43 Thurso Street
Invercargill 9810

Digital image portfolios shall be submitted online.
The email address for ALL honours correspondence is: psnzhonours@gmail.com
Fees are to be paid by electronic payment.
Late applications will not be accepted. Your portfolio will be returned.

Payment Information

The fees for an honours distinction are as follows:

  • Licentiate  $100.00
  • Associate  $110.00
  • Fellow        $120.00
© Bruce Burgess
© Tom Wilkinson

Format and Subject options

Open Section – Prints and Digital Images

The Open Section is open to all OPTICALLY created images, conventional or digital.  The Open Print section caters for all types of prints, conventional, collage, polaroid transfers, digitally output prints, etc.  Composite images must contain only original work by the photographer.

Nature Section – Prints and Digital Images

A Nature portfolio may be one of two types:  Nature or Wildlife.

Nature:

Nature photography is restricted to the use of the photographic process to depict all branches of natural history, except anthropology and archaeology, in such a fashion that a well-informed person will be able to identify the subject material and certify its honest presentation.  The story telling value of a photograph must be weighed more than the pictorial quality while remaining high technical quality.

Human elements shall not be present, except where those human elements are integral parts of the nature story such as nature subjects – such as barn owls or storks – adapted to an environment modified by humans, or where those human elements are in situations depicting natural forces, such as hurricanes or tidal waves.  Scientific bands, scientific tags or radio collars on wild animals are permissible.

Photographs of human created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domestic animals, or mounted specimens are not eligible; nor is any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement.  No techniques that add, relocate, replace, or remove pictorial elements except by cropping are permitted.  Techniques that enhance the presentation of the photograph without changing the nature story or the pictorial content, or without altering the content of the original scene, are permitted including HDR, focus stacking and dodging/burning.

Techniques that remove elements added by the camera, such as dust spots, digital noise and film scratches, are allowed.  Stitched images are not allowed.  All allowed adjustments must appear natural. Colour images can be converted to grey-scale monochrome.  Infrared images, either direct-captures or derivations, are not allowed.

Images entered in Nature sections meeting the Nature Photography Definition above may have landscapes, geologic formations, weather phenomena and extant organisms as the primary subject matter.  This includes images taken with the subjects in controlled conditions, such as zoos, game farms, botanical gardens, aquariums and any enclosure where the subjects are totally dependent on man for food.

Photographers must have complied with the PSNZ Nature Code of Conduct.

Wildlife:

Images entered in Wildlife section meeting the Nature Photography Definition above are further defined as one or more extant zoological or botanical organism free and unrestrained in a natural or adopted habitat.  Landscapes, geologic formations, photographs of zoo or game farm animals or of any extant zoological or botanical species taken under controlled conditions are not eligible in Wildlife sections.  Wildlife is not limited to animals, birds and insects.  Marine subjects and botanical subjects (including fungi and algae) taken in the wild are suitable wildlife subjects, as are carcasses of extant species.

No techniques that add, relocate, replace, or remove pictorial elements except by cropping are permitted.  Techniques that enhance the presentation of the photograph without changing the nature story or the pictorial content, or without altering the content of the original scene, are permitted including HDR, focus stacking and dodging/burning.

Techniques that remove elements added by the camera, such as dust spots, digital noise, and film scratches, are allowed.  Stitched images are not permitted.  All allowed adjustments must appear natural. Colour images can be converted to grey-scale monochrome.  Infrared images, either direct-captures or derivations, are not allowed.

Photographers must have complied with the PSNZ Nature Code of Conduct.

 

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