PSNZ Members Code of Conduct
PSNZ is the national body for its members and affiliated camera clubs throughout New Zealand. Founded in Queenstown in 1953, PSNZ now has over 1,200 individual members with a further 2,500 (approximately) belonging to more than 60 affiliated camera clubs.
PSNZ’s aims are focused on the advancement of photography as a craft and art form, while promoting friendship, cooperation, and the exchange of ideas amongst members. These aims are encapsulated in PSNZ’s vision statement “Helping Photographers Grow”.
PSNZ hosts events and activities throughout the year supported by partnerships with organisations within the photographic industry. This aligns with PSNZ’s policy of promoting and supporting local industry and official distribution channels for camera equipment and accessories. A Code of Conduct is appropriate and should be based on a shared commitment to ethical practice and common values. Such a Code sets out our commitment to preserve and enhance the reputation of the Society, and identifies what we collectively embrace as acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in pursuing our photographic endeavours.
Members have obligations, individually and collectively to act in accordance with this Code in all situations, from interactions with each other in the society, with others both inside and outside of our photographic community, in educational events, and competitions, and in pursuing our wider photographic endeavours.
As a membership based organisation, we provide a coordinating and promotional body which enables professional and mutually beneficial relationships between PSNZ and others. In this spirit we must avoid activities or actions which could harm the reputation of our organisation, our members and our partners.
Our Code of Conduct does not cover or replace standards or reasonable expectations which people should follow, whether they are considered social norms or conventions or are obligations derived from regulation including statute.
Members are expected to behave in ways which demonstrate respect for others, their capabilities and contributions, including non-members and the general public. We expect all members to act with integrity in their dealings. We operate in a spirit of collegiality and collaboration in helping photographers grow. As an organisation we recognise our achievements rely upon the efforts and contributions of volunteers in a culture of service and support.
We appreciate we must act inclusively so that we foster a rich and diverse community of people working to advance the art, craft and enjoyment of photography.
Have due regard and respect for the safety, wellbeing and protection of subjects, irrespective of them being biological or inanimate. This principle is above the value or enjoyment of a photograph or image.
Our Ethics, Constitution and Bylaws must be followed at all times.
A basic set of principles includes the following:
- When operating in the environment, local and national conservation requirements, customary practices and customs must be followed. Permission should be sought from landholders before venturing on to their land or property. Regulatory requirements including needs for permits, the use or non-use of particular equipment in certain locations or situations must always be met.
- Photographic endeavours should result in minimal disturbance to the surroundings - Leave only footprints, take only photos. We must conduct our activities in ways which maintain or enhance the wellbeing of subjects and the environments in which we operate.
- Safety is paramount for anyone involved or potentially impacted by the activity of the photographer or others involved in the endeavour
- Integrity should be a cornerstone in taking, making and creating images
- The reputation of the Society is an important asset and activities of members should be reputation enhancing
- We engage with members and other participants in the wider photographic community including trade partners and professional photographers in ways which grow the capabilities and enjoyment of photography.
Where evidence of a serious and/or deliberate violation of this code by a PSNZ member is drawn to the attention of a PSNZ Affiliated Club or PSNZ member, it or they will refer the matter to the PSNZ Council for consideration.
Competition Ethics
PSNZ expects its members and those eligible for entering PSNZ exhibitions, competitions or salons to work ethically at all times and comply with the rules relating to the exhibitions, competitions and salons.
Photographs or images submitted for exhibitions, competitions or salons organised by or associated with PSNZ must be taken or made by the entrant. For composites, this includes all elements making up the final work.
Where such photographs or images are selected for exhibitions, competitions or salons, they shall not be re-entered in the same or different format in any section of that exhibition in any subsequent year, either under the same title or using a different title.
A reproduction of a photograph or image selected in one year, that is so similar as to be confused with the original work, is likewise not to be entered in the same PSNZ exhibition, competition or salon in subsequent years.
Photographs or images submitted for potential publication in NZ Camera, CameraTalk or on the PSNZ website must be taken by the photographer. They must hold copyright for the photographs or image along with any written material.
The values we aspire to cannot be described by written rules alone, but depend on the understanding and judgment of individuals and the collective.
Values
Members are expected to act in ways which do not:
- Engage in or support plagiarism of the work of others
- Act or behave in rude, disrespectful or unsafe behaviour or acts which could bring members or the Society into disrepute
- Lay false claim to the product or efforts of others
- Claim ownership or originality where it is not the case. This particular aspect may be harder to determine especially when engaged in a workshop or other learning event and a subject matter expert has helped to optimise conditions.
Nature Code of Conduct
When photographing nature subjects, there is always a certain amount of stress put on the subjects by the photographer. The Photographic Society of New Zealand (PSNZ) therefore has put together a series of principles for all members when they are photographing or even observing nature subjects, so that any stress is minimised.
The welfare of the subject is more important than the photograph. This applies to geological as well as biological subjects.
Any local or national conservation requirements must be obeyed. This includes getting appropriate permits and observing restricted areas. Permission should be sought from private landholders before venturing on to their land.
There should be minimal disturbance to the surroundings.
It is most important that the photographer has a reasonable knowledge of the subject before attempting to take any pictures. For uncommon subjects this knowledge needs to be extensive. It is important that the photographer has a general knowledge of other associated subjects so that the process of photographing causes no risk or stress to them. This in particular refers to small life forms.
Any nature picture should record the truth of what the photographer saw at the time the picture was taken and reflect the competence of the image as captured by the photographer. Digital techniques that extend the capability of the camera may be used providing that they honestly and accurately represent the original nature story or event at the time of capture.
There may be shades of grey between acceptable and unacceptable practice. The Society asks members to reflect on, and represent, the values of the Society when making any such decisions. Remember the old adage: integrity is doing the right thing, even when nobody is watching or will know.
Discipline
Where it is judged that this Code of Conduct has been breached, the Council or a subcommittee may, on taking account of representations from parties and having regard to the best interests of the Society, take appropriate action, including but not restricted to:
- Providing a formal censure;
- Requesting an image be withdrawn from a competition or publication
- Refuse to accept an image for inclusion in a PSNZ competition, exhibition, or publication
- Withdraw an image from a competition or publication or nullify a competition result
- In matters of significant concern, it may be appropriate for the Council to consider suspending or cancelling membership or to take other disciplinary action as it deems appropriate.
Acting with integrity at all times will protect the good standing of the society and enhance the overall enjoyment of photography and membership of the Society.