Note:  Several of the SLCC Rotating Categories are also used in PSA and ACCC competitions.  They have the same name as the SLCC categories, but may have different definitions and restrictions.  If you plan to enter a PSA or ACCC competition with the same or a similar name, review the requirements on the host organization’s website.

October 2025

 Open.

 Mono: An image is considered Monochrome or Black and White only if it gives the impression of having no color (contains only shades of grey which can include pure black and pure white) or gives the impression of being a greyscale image that has been toned on one color across the entire image (for example: sepia, gold, etc.).   

Nature: Nature Photography refers to a wide range of images taken outdoors and devoted to displaying natural elements such as landscapes, geologic formations, weather, wildlife, plants, and close ups of natural scenes and textures.  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, however, no evidence of human activity should be visible.  To reiterate, no hand of man can be present in the image.  This means fences, roads, power and telephone lines    and poles, mechanical equipment, hybrid flowers or plants or other man- made items cannot be in the image.  The exception is identification banding, tags and radio collars or similar identification items attached to the animal. Techniques that enhance the presentation of the photograph, but without altering the content of the original scene, are permitted, including HDR, focus stacking and dodging/burning. All adjustments must appear natural.  Removing or changing elements in an image by post processing techniques such as cloning, or content aware fill are not allowed.  The image may be color or monochrome but infrared images are not allowed. (SLCC definition of Nature differs from national or international definitions)

ACCC Subject: Sunrise/Sunset: Any image taken at either sunrise or sunset showing the impact of the color, color saturation, and color hue in either the sky or on other objects or both. The image must be color.

November/December 2025

Open

 Mono: An image is considered Monochrome or Black and White only if it gives the impression of having no color (contains only shades of grey which can include pure black and pure white) or gives the impression of being a greyscale image that has been toned on one color across the entire image (for example: sepia, gold, etc.).   

Photo Travel: A Photo Travel image expresses the characteristic features or culture of a land as they are found naturally. There are no geographic limitations. Close up pictures of people or objects must include features that provide information about the environment or context. Images from events or activities arranged specifically for photography, or of subjects directed or hired for photography are not appropriate. Close up pictures of people or objects must include features that provide information about the environment. Techniques that add, relocate, replace or remove any element of the original image, except by cropping, are not permitted. The image may be either color or monochrome.

Rotating: Night Scene. There is no definition nor restriction, but it must occur outside at night, not Golden hour, Blue hour or Dawn. Flash and light painting are acceptable. The image may be either color or monochrome or may be creative. 

January 2026

Open

 Mono: An image is considered Monochrome or Black and White only if it gives the impression of having no color (contains only shades of grey which can include pure black and pure white) or gives the impression of being a greyscale image that has been toned on one color across the entire image (for example: sepia, gold, etc.).   

Nature: Nature Photography refers to a wide range of images taken outdoors and devoted to displaying natural elements such as landscapes, geologic formations, weather, wildlife, plants, and close ups of natural scenes and textures.  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, however, no evidence of human activity should be visible.  To reiterate, no hand of man can be present in the image.  This means fences, roads, power and telephone lines    and poles, mechanical equipment, hybrid flowers or plants or other man- made items cannot be in the image.  The exception is identification banding, tags and radio collars or similar identification items attached to the animal. Techniques that enhance the presentation of the photograph, but without altering the content of the original scene, are permitted, including HDR, focus stacking and dodging/burning. All adjustments must appear natural.  Removing or changing elements in an image by post processing techniques such as cloning, or content aware fill are not allowed.  The image may be color or monochrome but infrared images are not allowed. (SLCC definition of Nature differs from national or international definitions)

Technique: Perspective. A photo of an ordinary object, person, or scene from a different angle. The object can be large or small, but the view of the subject should be different than normal. The image may be either color or monochrome.

February 2026

Open

 Mono: An image is considered Monochrome or Black and White only if it gives the impression of having no color (contains only shades of grey which can include pure black and pure white) or gives the impression of being a greyscale image that has been toned on one color across the entire image (for example: sepia, gold, etc.).   

Photo Travel: A Photo Travel image expresses the characteristic features or culture of a land as they are found naturally. There are no geographic limitations. Close up pictures of people or objects must include features that provide information about the environment or context. Images from events or activities arranged specifically for photography, or of subjects directed or hired for photography are not appropriate. Close up pictures of people or objects must include features that provide information about the environment. Techniques that add, relocate, replace or remove any element of the original image, except by cropping, are not permitted. The image may be either color or monochrome.

ACCC Subject: Arches.  An arch is a man-made or naturally occurring curved structure that spans an open space or gap, usually supporting the weight of a structure above it. It's a common architectural element used in buildings, bridges, and other structures. In geography, an "arch" can refer to a natural rock formation with a curved or arched shape, such as an arch formed by erosion in a cliff or rock face. The image may be either color or monochrome.

March 2026

Open

 Mono: An image is considered Monochrome or Black and White only if it gives the impression of having no color (contains only shades of grey which can include pure black and pure white) or gives the impression of being a greyscale image that has been toned on one color across the entire image (for example: sepia, gold, etc.).   

Nature: Nature Photography refers to a wide range of images taken outdoors and devoted to displaying natural elements such as landscapes, geologic formations, weather, wildlife, plants, and close ups of natural scenes and textures.  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, however, no evidence of human activity should be visible.  To reiterate, no hand of man can be present in the image.  This means fences, roads, power and telephone lines    and poles, mechanical equipment, hybrid flowers or plants or other man- made items cannot be in the image.  The exception is identification banding, tags and radio collars or similar identification items attached to the animal. Techniques that enhance the presentation of the photograph, but without altering the content of the original scene, are permitted, including HDR, focus stacking and dodging/burning. All adjustments must appear natural.  Removing or changing elements in an image by post processing techniques such as cloning, or content aware fill are not allowed.  The image may be color or monochrome but infrared images are not allowed. (SLCC definition of Nature differs from national or international definitions)

Technique: High Key. There is no definition nor any restriction. As a guide, a high-key image consists primarily of light tones, without dark shadows. A photograph so composed features a diminished tonal range of primarily whites and light colors.  An example might be a landscape with ground fog present. The idea is that a histogram of the image would be shifted to the right (white side) with little or no pixels on the left side (black side). The image may be either color or monochrome.