1. The Northern Ireland Ornithologists Club invites entries from persons normally resident in Northern Ireland, though not necessarily members of the club. There are three categories of entry :- Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced and Digiscope. A Digiscope image is an image taken through either a telescope or binoculars regardless of the camera body (may be digital, 35mm or even a mobile telephone). Entrants should know into which category they fall, but the club reserves the right to make the final decision. A judge appointed by the club will decide winning entries and a winning portfolio in each category. Portfolio not awarded in Digiscope category.
2. Up to six colour images of birds may be submitted by each entrant. The photographs must have been taken by the entrant. Only entries comprising six images will be eligible in the portfolio sections. If entering transparencies they must be in 2" x 2" slide mounts. Images taken with a digital camera will be accepted. These should be provided on a PC compatible CD in either TIFF or JPEG format. The file size should be no less than 2Mb and no larger than 5Mb. Each CD should be clearly labelled with the entrants name.
3. No more than two images should have been taken at or near the nest. No more than one image of any species should be submitted and images, or any part thereof, submitted in previous N.I.O.C. shows are not eligible; nor are photographs of domestic, feral or captive birds.
4. Images submitted should have been taken within the last 5 years.
5. Copyright of the images remain with entrants. However, by submitting the images, entrants are deemed to have authorised their use for publicity purposes, by the club or sponsor. In this context, placed images may be published, at low resolution, on the Club website.
6. Digital manipulation of the whole image (e.g. rotation to achieve a level horizon or sharpening) is permissible. However part manipulation of the image (e.g. the addition of an eye-light or removal of unwanted detail) is not permitted.
7. A Code of Conduct for Photographing Birds is enclosed with each Entry Form and can also be downloaded from this website. Particular attention is drawn to paragraph 2.
8. The entry form should be completed, signed and submitted with the transparencies or CD. The transparency mounts must be numbered, bear the entrant's name and be "spotted". This means holding the transparency in the normal viewing position in the hand and making a clearly seen mark or spot on the bottom left-hand corner of the mount. This facilitates proper loading into projector trays.
9. Entrants will be responsible for collecting their original slides or CD immediately after the show on 26th. March 2008.
10. Whilst reasonable care will be taken to protect entries, the club will not be liable in the event of loss or damage, however caused.
11.
Entries must be with David Craig at 11 Richmond Drive, Lisburn, BT28 2DJ (Tel. 028 9266 1162) by 1st. February 2008.