Cathay Camera Club – Membership Guide

This Membership Guide establishes the official policies, submission standards, and behavioral expectations for all members of the Cathay Camera Club (“CCC” or “the Club”).

All members are bound by the provisions herein, which govern participation in all Club activities, including Club Nights, workshops, exhibitions, and other events organized under the authority of the Committee.

Submission of any photographic work or participation in Club activities constitutes the member’s acknowledgment and acceptance of this Guide.

All members of the Communications Team (Content Coordinator, Web Administrator, Email Specialist, Communications Lead) are bound by the procedures herein.

• Member: Any individual enrolled in CCC.

• Committee: The governing body responsible for Club operations and adjudication.

• Club Night: Any regular meeting or competition where members present photographs for critique and scoring.

• Submission: Provision of photographic work via the official online submission system.

• AI Process: Any image creation or enhancement using artificial intelligence or automated image manipulation technologies.

Members are expected to:

1. Engage respectfully and constructively with peers, judges, and the Committee.

2. Demonstrate honesty, originality, and professionalism in their creative work.

3. Avoid conduct that could damage the reputation of CCC.

4. Respect the privacy and intellectual property rights of all individuals.

5. Comply with the submission, judging, and publication policies of the Club.

4.1 Ownership and Copyright
All submitted photographs remain the intellectual property of the submitting member.

4.2 License to the Club
By submitting work, members grant CCC a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual license to reproduce, publish, and display images for Club-related purposes including:

• Website and online galleries

• Social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook)

• Email newsletters and campaigns

• Printed materials, posters, and archival purposes

4.3 Attribution and Opt-Out
CCC will make reasonable efforts to credit the author. Members may opt out of promotional usage by notifying the Committee in writing prior to submission.

4.4 Content Standards and Right of Refusal
The Club reserves the right to decline, withhold, or remove any work deemed inappropriate, including images that:

• Depict minors in sensitive contexts

• Contain nudity, sexual content, or pornography

• Portray or promote violence, discrimination, or hate speech

• Express political or religious propaganda

• Contain offensive, defamatory, or distasteful content

The Committee’s determination is final and binding.

• Members whose work is being presented are encouraged to attend Club Nights to receive direct feedback.

• Recording or photographing other members, judges, or their work without consent is prohibited.

• Guest judges follow CCC Judging Guidelines and ethical standards.

• Members are encouraged to share feedback as long as they remain constructive and professional.

• Misconduct may result in disciplinary action, including suspension of membership.

Events will be cancelled if any of the following warnings are issued two hours prior to the event:

• Black Rainstorm Warning

• Pre-Typhoon Signal No. 8

• Typhoon Signal No. 8 or higher

Notifications will be provided via email and official Club channels.

7.1 Regular Club Nights

7.1.1 Submission Requirements

• Special Theme: One (1) image per member, captured within the past 12 months, no geographical restrictions, file names must not include the photographer’s name.

• Open Theme: One (1) image per member, no restrictions on subject, time, or location, file names must not include the photographer’s name.

7.1.2 Submission Procedure

• Submit via the official online form (one form per image).

• Include member name, image title, and optional technical/artistic notes for the judge.

• Modifications are prohibited; resubmission requires full replacement.

• File names must exactly match the image title.

7.1.3 Judging Procedure

• Evaluated on conceptual strength, narrative cohesion, and technical execution.

• Guest judges follow CCC Judging Guidelines.

• Feedback and scores are shared post-event.

7.2 Photo Series Club Nights

7.2.1 Submission Requirements

• One (1) photo series per member, composed of 3–10 interconnected images.

• All images must be captured within the preceding 12 months.

• No geographical restrictions.

• Photographer’s name must not appear on any submitted file.

• All images must be numbered in the title to describe the display order.

• Open Theme submissions are not accepted.

7.2.2 Submission Procedure

• Submit via the official online form (one form per series).

• Include member name, series title, and optional technical/artistic notes.

• Modifications are prohibited; resubmission requires full replacement.

• File names must exactly match the series title.

7.2.3 Judging Procedure

• Evaluated on conceptual strength, narrative cohesion, and technical execution.

• Guest judges follow CCC Judging Guidelines.

• Feedback and scores are shared post-event.

8.1 Principles

• Images must originate from a photographic process using light.

• Work must be wholly created by the submitting member.

8.2 Permitted Practices

• AI, photo manipulation, and digital enhancement tools may only enhance, not replace, original content.

• Presets and stylistic adjustments are allowed if they do not materially alter content.

• Composite images are allowed if all elements are photographed by the member.

• All images materially altered by AI must be declared in the submission form.

8.3 Prohibited Practices

• Fully AI-generated images without photographic origin.

• Use of stock or AI-generated elements not created by the member.

• Misrepresentation of AI-generated content as original photography.

8.4 Compliance

• The Committee may request verification files (RAW, metadata).

• Failure to disclose AI use may result in disqualification, revocation of awards, or suspension of membership.

All inquiries related to submissions or rules should be directed to:

📧 cathaycc@gmail.com
Attn: Competition Secretary, Cathay Camera Club

The Committee retains the right to interpret, amend, or supplement this Guide. All amendments are effective upon publication on official channels.

• Disputes regarding interpretation of this Guide or Club decisions are referred to the Committee.

• Committee decisions are final and binding.

• Members are responsible for compliance with all policies and ethical standards.