The Skill Level Tier Competitions Model
To ensure CAPA continues offering world-class opportunities to photographers across Canada, we conducted a global evaluation of leading camera clubs and photographic societies. Inspired by best practices from local Canadian clubs to international organizations across South Africa and the US, we are excited to introduce an updated, tiered skill-level competition structure for our zone events.
Designed to empower photographers at every stage of their journey, this new model delivers:
Equity: Every photographer submits the same maximum number of images.
Individual CAPA Awards: Awards are allocated on a per-image basis rather than cumulative scores, giving every single photo a fresh chance to win.
Skill Development: Clear tiers encourage photographers to grow and progress over time.
Authenticity and Diversity: Open themes with a regional focus ensure all photographers can participate without requiring expensive travel.
Inclusivity: Levels the playing field so talent at every experience level has room to shine.
Constructive Feedback for Novice Entries: Every Novice entry receives supportive commentary from judges to help photographers understand their scores and improve.
Self-Confidence Boost: Creates a natural pathway to transition seamlessly from zone-level success to CAPA national competitions.
Key Details of Skill-Level Zone Competitions:
Tiered Progression: The model is built on three levels – Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced and allows photographers to advance based on their achievements, promoting skill improvement and upward mobility.
Point Allocations: One (1) point for each image that:
contributes to an individual CAPA member receiving a CAPA Medal or Honourable Mention.
contributes to a camera club’s award, leading to the club receiving a CAPA Medal or Honourable Mention.
receives a merit award.
is selected to represent CAPA at the Calgary Exposure Exhibition.
is chosen to present CAPA at the National Museum Photography in Drummondville, Quebec.
is chosen to represent CAPA at the National Museum of Photography in Drummondville, Quebec.
represents Canada’s submission into a Four Nations inter-society competition.
Two (2) points for images representing Canada in a Four Nations inter-society competition AND earning a gold medal or honourable mention award.
Two (2) points for each recognition achieved in our Series of Four competition.
Three (3) points for each recognition they receive in an Audio-Visual competition.
Skill-Level Classification:
Using 2016 – 2026 Past CAPA Winners database (over 11,000 entries), all CAPA photographers are grouped into skill-levels:
Novice Level: For photographers scoring up to 9 points.
Intermediate Level: Accumulating 10 points moves photographers to the intermediate level.
Advanced Level: Requires 30 points or more, signifying high expertise.
*It is the responsibility of all photographers to ensure that their image(s) are placed into the correct skill level.
When uploading their images to this type of competition, entrants will be required to:
- Upload their images
- Provide a title for their image
- Select their preferred skill level assignment
- Indicate whether they wish to receive judge’s comment on the image
*All entrants should select “Novice” from the skill level dropdown menu unless they are listed as an “Advanced” or “Intermediate”. All new members to CAPA are requested to enter competitions at the novice level.
Entrants can locate their skill level by clicking here
- Photographers may submit a request to the Director of Competitions or the Zone Director to request placement in a higher skill-level with supporting rationale. Requests to lower skill-level will only be undertaken in exceptional cases.
- Prior to each zone competition, photographers will be informed of their status to ensure skill levels are aligned to past results. These photographers will not be permitted to submit images in a lower skill-level.
- Our CAPA Pre-screening Committee, composed of Certified CAPA judges, will meticulously review all submitted images. This process ensures that intermediate and advanced skill-level photographers do not mis-assign their images to a lower skill level.
- Designed to level the playing field and nurture growth, CAPA’s Tiered Skill Competition structure empowers photographers of all skill levels to develop their craft, gain confidence, and advance from local club recognition to the national stage.
