NAPA – Fall Seminar 2025

NAPA’s 3rd Annual – 1 day Fall Seminar which will be held in Niagara Fall Nov 1, 2025

 

NAPA Fall Seminar
2275 Dorchester Road
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Registration: NiagaraPhoto.org – is open now
Time: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Price: $70.00 (includes lunch and refreshments during the day)

 

Alyce Bender (Tamron Ambassador) will be the guest speaker and will be providing 4 subjects throughout the day.
Small Scale Wildlife Photography: Creating Unique Wildlife Images with a Macro Lens
The Diverse Landscape: Capturing Landscapes and All They Have to Offer
Impressionistic Photography: Using Creative In-Camera Techniques to Create Artistic Images
Putting Nature First: An Introduction to the Seven Principles

 

To see more information on Alyce Bender please see her website.

Speakers Series – Nov. 2025 – Wayne Simpson

CAPA presents via YouTube Live : Wayne Simpson

English presentation : Nov. 19, 2025

Pacific 4:00 PM – Mountain 5:00 PM – Central 6:00 PM – Eastern 7:00 PM – Atlantic 8:00 PM (Canada)

Theme/topic of the presentation: A personal journey of connection to a once-forbidden culture

Summary:

‘Miziwezi’ (pronounced Miz-e-way-zee) is a project and culminating exhibition of photographic works and short film where we accompany Ojibwe artist Wayne Simpson of Aamjiwnaang First Nation on a personal journey of self-discovery as he investigates his indigenous roots.

Simpson has endeavored to capture the importance of culture and heritage through a foundation of openness, in pursuit of connection and belonging.

Capturing the teachings of his culture and sharing it with the world in a way that is truly his own, Wayne’s unique perspective and life experience united with his talent for storytelling through photography and film is a powerful combination.

Available to Individual CAPA members via the members only section of the website.

Please login, go to Members > Education Links > Speakers Series, copy and save the YouTube link before the presentation.

Speaker's Bio

Wayne Simpson is an Ojibwe photographer from Aamjiwnaang First Nation based in the quaint village of Elora, Ontario. Wayne specializes in dramatic portraiture and landscape photography. 

What began as a side passion while working as a graphic designer in Calgary, Alberta, has now blossomed into the full-time, creative endeavour that is proudly Wayne Simpson Photography.

Simpson’s ultimate goal, whether he is photographing a person or a place, is to create images that evoke emotion and a sense of mystery. Exceptionally executed, his portraits hold a mythic quality and hint at a deeper story, beckoning the viewer to wonder about the subject’s life and experience. He actively seeks out many of his subjects and builds a rapport with them before a portrait is created. His award-winning landscape photography, on the other hand, showcases the mood, drama, and extraordinary beauty of the planet’s wilder places and inspires the viewer to appreciate the more subtle details.

While his niche lies in portraiture and landscape photography, Simpson’s versatility as a photographer carries into his commercial work and event photography, making his style distinctive in the industry. 

As an educator, Wayne Simpson conducts portrait and landscape photography workshops throughout Canada – from the peaks of Banff National Park to the beautiful coastline of Prince Edward Island.

Enjoy a selection of his work below.

Speakers Series – Oct. 2025 – Larry Vogel

CAPA presents via YouTube Live : Larry Vogel

English presentation : Oct. 15, 2025

Pacific 4:00 PM – Mountain 5:00 PM – Central 6:00 PM – Eastern 7:00 PM – Atlantic 8:00 PM (Canada)

Theme/topic of the presentation: Shooting and Processing Award Winning Landscape Photographs – What Would Ansel Do?

Summary:

We all know that it begins on location, in the camera and with a great capture. However, that is just the beginning. Vogel says, “It takes more than a camera to create a great photograph.” It was true when we processed photographs in the darkroom and it is still true today with digital processing.

In this presentation, Vogel will guide the group through the “Visualization Process” with special guest Ansel Adams. In addition, Vogel will demonstrate creative, yet simple digital techniques that will help to raise your average landscape photographs to a higher, award winning level.

 

Available to Individual CAPA members via the members only section of the website.

Please login, go to Members > Zoom & YouTube Live Invitation > Speakers Series, copy and save the YouTube link before the presentation.

Speaker's Bio

Larry Vogel has been a fine art photographer for over forty-five years. Vogel has exhibited his work since 1979 and has been included in more than fifty exhibitions, including shows at: Susan Spiritus Gallery in Newport Beach, CA, The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite, California, and the Africus, Johannesburg Biennale in 1997.



Larry was awarded a photographic scholarship from The Friends of Photography for the Ansel Adams Photography Workshops in 1983, which Vogel says he was fortunate to be able to attend, as it was the last of the workshops that the renowned photographer, Ansel Adams, was alive to teach.



Vogel has over 30 years of experience teaching workshops and leading photographic organizations. He has created and directed several photography groups based on the image critique process. He continues to offer his expertise in the critique process and has been sought out as a judge and instructor for many camera clubs, art groups and county fair organizations.

Vogel has been an exhibiting fine art photographer for more than 45 years. He is currently represented by the Susan Spiritus Gallery, Newport Beach.


View work by Larry Vogel at these websites:


www.lavogel.com

www.susanspiritusgallery.com

Enjoy a selection of his work below.

Speakers Series – Sept. 2025 – Chad Tobin

CAPA presents via YouTube Live : Chad Tobin - OPEN TO ALL

Summary:

Street photography is hard. Doing street photography well is even harder. Understanding what makes a good street photograph involves developing a palette for the genre by studying people who do it well.

We will explore different rules, laws, and methods that go beyond the concept of simply taking a picture of strangers walking in the street and converting the image to grayscale.

Street photography is an incredible visual lottery that hooks you the first moment something in your image works. Golfers talk about the feeling they get when they make their first connection with the ball, and how that one shot has them coming back for more. I see a strong comparison to street photography because it is something that has to be practiced repeatedly and meets with more failure than return.

While the Speaker Series Presentations are typically ONLY available to CAPA Individual Members, this SPECIAL PRESENTATION IS AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE!

Click on the image above to go to the YouTube LIVESTREAM.

Speaker's Bio

Chad Tobin is a fine art photographer living and working in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. He is one of the founding members of the Hot Fog Collective, a group of east coast artists specializing in project-based photography and documentary work. 
 
Inspired by Sophia Coppola’s critically acclaimed movie Lost In Translation, Canadian photographer Chad Tobin spent a humid summer in Japan’s largest city, Tokyo. He explored the expanding metropolis with whimsical fascination, making fast friends of complete strangers in crowded streets, open parks, dark alleys and taboo night clubs. The resulting photographs celebrate the beauty of fleeting connections in moments of chaos and unnerving stillness, in tension and release. His photo zine, Tokyo Ice Cream, was released in 2021 by Tour Dogs Publications.

 

Website: www.chadtobin.com

IG: @tobinchad

Enjoy a selection of his work below.

June 2025 Judging Program News

Update to Judging Information on Website

 

Under the Judging tab, members can now access the latest version of the following documents:

• CAPA Judging Standards Policy
• Judge Certification Guidelines and
• Online Technical Viewing Requirements

 

Under Information for Judges, Active Judges also have access to the following documents:

• National Judges List
• Judge Information form for updating the National Judges List
• Judge Evaluation form

 

Documents for Active Judges are password protected. Contact the Director of the Judging Program for the password.

 

National Judges List

The most recent National Judges List was released on June 6, 2025.
All CAPA Clubs have online access to the latest list of CAPA Certified Judges and CAPA Apprentice Judges. Log in to your club’s account and go to Members > National Judges List. You must be logged in to your club’s account to download the list.

 

Judging Course

Work continues on the new judging course. A team of experienced judges and curriculum developers are updating lesson plans, building on the work done by those who created the original course. Testing of the new course is scheduled to start in July. We are still on track for a fall 2025 launch. Watch for updates in upcoming newsletters.

 

If you have questions or would like further information, please contact the Director of the Judging Program at judgingdirector@capacanada.ca.

Image Critique Nights

Dewey Pondhawk by Scott Simons

Ready to take your photography to the next level? Our Image Critique Nights offer constructive, one-on-one feedback in a collaborative environment. We explore what makes an image stand out by analyzing Impact, Composition, Technical execution, and Presentation. Come share your work, refine your eye, and learn how to turn good shots into great ones. 

These sessions are for Individual CAPA Members only as a benefit of your membership. Members can submit 1-2 images in advance, which will be shared by the meeting host via screen share on Zoom. 

Sessions are scheduled for the 3rd Thursday of each month, starting at 5:30 PM (Mountain time).

Image critique nights for 2025 – 2026:

  • Sept 18, 2025
  • Oct 16, 2025
  • Nov 20, 2025
  • Dec 18, 2025
  • Jan 15, 2026
  • Feb 19, 2026
  • Mar 19, 2026
  • Apr 16, 2026
  • May 21, 2026
  • Jun 18, 2026

Image critique nights for 2026 – 2027:

  • Sept 17, 2026
  • Oct 15, 2026
  • Nov 19, 2026
  • More dates to come

Individual CAPA members can join the Zoom meeting via the link provided in the Members section of the website.

For submission instructions, log in and go to Members > Education Links > Image Critique Nights.

London Camera Club – May2025 – Upcoming Presentation

Speaker: 7-9 PM EST

May 8 7-9 pm EDT
Lee Nordbye-An Artist’s Adventures and Misadventures in the Mountains and Exploring Wild Places

You can register by clicking here.

 

May 22 7-9 pm EDT Brad Wood-“Four Season Photography along Niagara’s South Coast”.

You can register by clicking here.

 

The fee is $11.98 CAD

You can have more info by clicking here.

June 2025 Competition Updates

2025 – 2026 Competitions

You’ll now find our upcoming 2025-2026 competitions listed in the Current Competitions section of our dropdown menu.

You can view this listing of competitions by clicking here

 

2025 Annual Photo Competition 

Winning images – view webpage by clicking here

 

Introducing the Annual CAPA Photo Walk

A Coast-to-Coast Celebration of Photography

 

Mark your calendars!

On Saturday, September 20th, CAPA is proud to launch the inaugural CAPA Photo Walk.

A new annual tradition that brings photographers together from coast to coast, and everywhere in between. From the East Coast to the West, from the southern border to the northern reaches, this is a day to celebrate photography, community, and creativity.

The CAPA Photo Walk will take place every year on the third Saturday of September, and everyone is invited to join — CAPA members, non-members, photo clubs, camera enthusiasts, and curious beginners alike.

Organized and hosted by CAPA’s dedicated Zone Directors, this national event is about getting out in your local community to enjoy a walk, take photos, connect with fellow photographers, and capture the beauty of Canada through your lens. Whether you’re shooting landscapes, urban life, wildlife, or candid street moments, your perspective matters.

To help celebrate this initiative, we are offering a limited-time 20% discount on new individual memberships for non-members who participate in the walk. It’s a perfect opportunity to get involved, meet like-minded people, and become part of Canada’s leading photographic association.

We encourage all groups to submit a selection of their photos to CAPA after the walk — these images will be showcased in our Winter issue of the CAPA magazine, highlighting participation from across the country and celebrating the diverse talent within our photographic community.

Let’s make this first CAPA Photo Walk one to remember — and build a new annual tradition that grows stronger each year.

Get ready to walk, shoot, and share!

 

Click on this link to register for the CAPA Photowalk:

Https://capacanada.link/2025-Photo-Walk

 

Stella d’Entremont
President, CAPA

Guideline to Creating Stunning Triptychs

Create Stunning Triptychs

By Sheldon Boles

 

A triptych is a powerful visual storytelling format consisting of three related images displayed side by side. Originally used in religious art, triptychs have evolved into a versatile format for photographers and digital artists to create compelling visual narratives. This guide will walk you through creating professional-looking triptychs in Photoshop.

*Image is courtesy of Dan Sigouin

 

Planning Your Triptych

 

Before diving into the technical steps, consider these important factors:

  • Theme or Narrative: Choose three images that share a cohesive theme, story, color palette, or visual elements
  • Image Selection: Select images with complementary compositions that work together (similar lighting conditions often help)
  • Arrangement Order: Decide the sequence of images to create visual flow (left-to-right or right-to-left)
  • Style Consistency: Ensure consistent processing across all three images (similar exposure, contrast, and color grading)

 

Step-by-Step Creation Process

 

Step 1: Create Your Canvas

  1. Launch Photoshop and select File > New
  2. Set dimensions to 1400 × 1050 pixels (or your preferred size)
  3. Set resolution to 72 ppi 
  4. Select a background color that complements your images (black, white, or neutral gray typically work well)

Step 2: Import and Position Your First Image

  1. Select File > Place Embedded (or Place Linked if you want to maintain connections to source files)
  2. Navigate to and select your first image
  3. Once placed, hold Shift while dragging corners to resize proportionally
  4. Position in the leftmost section of your canvas
  5. Press Enter to confirm placement

Step 3: Add and Position Remaining Images

  1. Repeat Step 2 for your second image, positioning it in the center
  2. Repeat for your third image, positioning it on the right
  3. Use Smart Objects to preserve image quality during resizing
  4. Align tops of all images for a clean, professional look

Step 4: Refine Your Layout

  1. Adjust spacing between images for visual balance
  2. Ensure consistent sizing across all three images
  3. Use Layers > Align options to perfectly align images

Step 5: Final Resizing and Refinement

  1. Evaluate the current dimensions of your composition
  2. Resize the canvas to final dimensions that best showcase your images while following these rules:
    • Total width must not exceed 1400 pixels
    • Total height must not exceed 1050 pixels
    • Maintain either exactly 1400 pixels width or exactly 1050 pixels height
  3. Consider the aspect ratio of your combined images when determining final dimensions

Step 6: Export Your Triptych

  1. Select File > Save As 
  2. Choose JPEG file format
  3. Set appropriate quality settings
  4. Save with descriptive filename

 

Create Triptych In Lightroom 

 

Step 1 – Go to the Print module.

 

Step 2 – Choose a Custom Package layout.

 

Step 3 – Drag 3 photos into a horizontal layout.

 

Step 4 – Adjust spacing and margins.

 

Step 5 – Select the Print parameters, choose “Print to file” to generate a triptych JPEG.

 

 

Advanced Techniques

 

Creating Visual Connections

  • Look for lines or elements that can flow from one image to the next
  • Consider arranging images to create implied movement across the triptych
  • Use color echoing between images to strengthen visual connections

Tips for Stunning Triptychs

  • Choose images with similar lighting conditions and color temperatures
  • Consider the visual weight and balance across all three images
  • Use leading lines to guide the viewer’s eye across the triptych
  • Experiment with different arrangements before finalizing
  • Consider how negative space can enhance your composition

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Inconsistent processing between images
  • Poor spacing or alignment
  • Competing focal points that distract rather than complement
  • Overly complex backgrounds that clash when placed together
  • Insufficient resolution for your output medium

 

You can download the PDF’s Guideline to Creating Stunning Triptychs: English French

May 2025 Judging Program News

Update to Judging Information on Website

Under the Judging tab, members can now access the latest version of the following documents:

• CAPA Judging Standards Policy

• Judge Certification Guidelines and

• Online Technical Viewing Requirements

 

Under Information for Judges, Active Judges also have access to the following documents:

• National Judges List

• Judge Information form for updating the National Judges List

• Judge Evaluation form

 

*Documents for Active Judges are password protected. Contact the Director of the Judging Program for the password.

 

National Judges List

All CAPA Clubs have online access to the latest list of CAPA Certified Judges and CAPA Apprentice Judges. Log in to your club’s account and go to Members > National Judges List. You must be logged in to your club’s account to download the list.

 

Work continues on the new judging course. A team of experienced judges and curriculum developers are updating lesson plans, building on the work done by those who created the original course. We are still on track for a fall 2025 launch. Watch for updates in upcoming newsletters.

 

If you have questions or would like further information, please contact the Director of the Judging Program at judgingdirector@capacanada.ca.

May 2025 Competition Updates

Updated CAPA Eligibility Criteria webpage

As of May 15, 2025, the following provisions in our CAPA Eligibility Criteria webpage comes into effect:

  • Image(s) featuring graffiti or street art are eligible for our competition

    ONLY
    when they demonstrate substantial creative input beyond mere documentation, such as unique perspective, composition, inclusion of external elements or context that transforms the viewer’s experience. 

 

2025 Curves & Lines Competition

Club winning images – view webpage by clicking here

Individual winning images – view webpage by clicking here

 

2025 Atlantic Zone Competition

Club winning images – view webpage by clicking here

Individual winning images – view webpage by clicking here

 

2025 Prairie Zone Competition

Club winning images – view webpage by clicking here

Individual winning images – view webpage by clicking here

 

Enquiries Received On How To Create a Triptych

Triptychs are popular in Europe and they provide means of storytelling in a series of three images.

We have had enquiries on how triptychs can be created in Photoshop and Lightroom. Based on these enquiries, we created these instructions.

 

Guideline to Creating Stunning Triptychs English French

These instructions have now been incorporated into our 2026 Triptych photo competition and on our website’s Members Resource webpage.

 

Re-Cropping Of Image That Previously Received CAPA Award

Question – I wonder if some flexibility might be considered in cases like re-cropping. For example, an original 4:3 image that has been thoughtfully re-cropped to a 16:9 panoramic format may offer a different visual impact or compositional interpretation. Might this be treated as a separate entry, provided the change is substantial and creatively justified?

My Response – While I understand your point about how re-cropping can significantly alter an image’s composition and visual impact, our current policy considers such modifications to still be ‘substantially the same image.’ This rule exists to encourage the submission of truly distinct photographic works and to ensure fairness across all participants.

The specific language in our criteria stating that ‘slight variations are still considered the same image‘ was designed to include modifications such as re-cropping, regardless of how dramatic the crop might be.

We invite photographers to submit new work that hasn’t previously won recognition in our competitions. This practice preserves the artistic integrity of each contest while ensuring all participants have an equal chance to highlight their most recent photographic accomplishments.

Images that haven’t received a CAPA Award may be submitted again in future competitions, as long as they meet all required specifications.

Speakers Series – May 2025 – Marianna Armata

CAPA presents via YouTube Live : Marianna Armata

English presentation : May 21, 2025

Pacific 4:00 PM – Mountain 5:00 PM – Central 6:00 PM – Eastern 7:00 PM – Atlantic 8:00 PM (Canada)

Theme/topic of the presentation: Abstract Creative Photography

Summary:

The art of capturing the essence of a scene beyond a documentary record and interpreting the world as a collection of abstracts. 

 

Available to Individual CAPA members via the members only section of the website.

Please login, go to Members > Zoom & YouTube Live Invitation > Speakers Series, copy and save the YouTube link before the presentation.

Speaker's Bio

The moment Marianna was plucked out of my native Old Europe at the tender age of 12 and dropped into a new contemporary North American society, she became an instant illiterate overnight. Speaking or writing in either official language in Canada was not an option so she began to focus on the visual world around herself. So much so that years later she became a professional graphic designer, illustrator, and photographer. 

Fast forward 37 years, and now, freed from the necessity of earning a living, Marianna is focusing all her efforts on her passion for photography. she shoots what intrigues her daily and enjoy the process of editing as much as the act of seeking her subjects and shooting them. Marianna’s graphic design training and experience naturally infuse her images. Her focus is primarily on macro photography because it reveals what we usually miss when observing the grand landscape and/or wildlife around us. Having retained the curiosity of a child, her biggest thrill is to discover something new and share it with stunning clarity and artistic interpretation with the world through her photography. By doing this Marianna hopes to instil an understanding and raise awareness that all creatures, even the tiniest ones, are interconnected, are entangled with nature, and that in fact, together we are One. She hopes this basic understanding will result in respect for each other, which will lead to protecting all of the small parts that make up the Big Picture. 

Marianna is pleased to receive international recognition for her work and to have been honoured by CAPA with several merit awards and medals.

Enjoy a selection of her works below.

Laval Photo Club Exhibition 2025

The Laval Photo Club is pleased to invite you to a photo exhibition featuring its members under the theme “Laval in Photos,” which will be held from April 1 to 29, 2025.

Come discover the works of our photographers and explore inspiring images that will introduce you to the gems of the City of Laval.
The event will take place at the Espace citoyen des Confluents, Marius-Barbeau Library, 1000 Marie-Uguay Street, Laval, QC.
The exhibition is open Sunday to Saturday during library hours.

Admission is free.

For more info: www.clubphotolaval.com

Tamron – Spring2025 Advertising

Thank You to Our Valued Advertisers

 

On behalf of CAPA, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our advertisers for their support.Your contributions help us continue to foster and celebrate the art of photography, providing opportunities for photographers across Canada and beyond.

Your partnership not only strengthens our community but also ensures that we can keep offering valuable resources, competitions, and educational opportunities to our members. We truly appreciate your commitment to the photographic arts and are proud to showcase your businesses here.

Thank you for being a vital part of CAPA’s journey!

 

Stella d’Entremont
President, CAPA

 

Versatile. Powerful. Made to go everywhere.

One Lens. Every Shot.

The Tamron 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 VC VXD is the ultimate all-in-one zoom for Sony E and FUJIFILM X-mount APS-C mirrorless cameras. With a massive 16.6x zoom range (27-450mm full-frame equivalent), you can shoot everything from wide landscapes to distant wildlife—no lens swap needed. Compact, travel-ready, with fast, precise autofocus and image stabilization. Plus, get stunning close-ups with a 5.9” minimum focus distance.

Save $150 for a limited time, now through April 20, 2025!

Tamron is an official sponsor of CAPA.

April 2025 Judging Program News

JUDGING PROGRAM NEWS

Work continues on the new judging course. A team of experienced judges and curriculum developers are updating lesson plans, building on the work done by those who created the original course. We are still on track for a fall 2025 launch. Watch for updates in upcoming newsletters.

 

New CAPA Certified Judge

Congratulations to Andrew Pateras who recently completed the Judge Certification Program and qualified as a CAPA Certified Judge. You will find contact information for Andrew on the National Judges List.

 

Update to Judging Information on Website

Under the Judging tab, members can now access the latest version of the CAPA Judging Standard Policy, Judge Certification Guidelines and Online Technical Viewing Requirements. Active Judges will also soon have access to more judging related documents.

 

All CAPA Clubs have online access to the latest list of CAPA Certified Judges and CAPA Apprentice Judges. Log in to your club’s account and go to Members > National Judges List. You must be logged in to your club’s account to download the list.

 

If you have questions or would like further information, please contact the Director of the Judging Program at judgingdirector@capacanada.ca.

London Camera Club – April2025 and May2025 – Upcoming Presentation

Speaker: 7-9 PM EST

April 10: 7-9 PM
Lois Nuttall-“North of Superior – My Photographic Journey and Perhaps One For You”

You can register by clicking here.

 

May 1 7-9 pm EDT
Dee Potter – “Explorations in Photography: A Journey Through Urban Landscapes, Natural Wonders, and Fascinating Faces”

You can register by clicking here.

 

May 8 7-9 pm EDT
Lee Nordbye-An Artist’s Adventures and Misadventures in the Mountains and Exploring Wild Places

You can register by clicking here.

 

May 22 7-9 pm EDT Brad Wood-“Four Season Photography along Niagara’s South Coast”.

You can register by clicking here.

 

The fee is $11.98 CAD

You can have more info by clicking here.

April 2025 Competition Updates

CAPA 2025 CAPA Salon

In accordance with Canada’s Personal Information Protection Act, we have created a comprehensive Privacy Statement for our 2025 Salon. You are encouraged to read this document prior to submitting images into our 2025 salon.

English
French

2025 Global Chinese Photography Association Exhibition

CAPA members may wish to consider participating in this Exhibition 

Total USD15,000 Cash Prizes, 257 awards! 5th GCPA-DAJIANG Cup International Exhibition 2025 Call for Entries !

GCPA is inviting you to participate at the 5th GCPA-DAJIANG Cup International Exhibition 2025. 

Please get your images ready and submit them before the deadline on May 27,2025 (http://www.gcpa.club).

Altogether 257 awards and USD15,000 Cash Prizes are here to be claimed!

Total 7 digital categories, 6 categories (except AI Creative section) are under the patronage of  GPU: L210153 and CAPA Canadian Association for Photographic Art.

Open Color, Open Monochrome, Nature, People-theme & Portrait, Landscape color(General & Drone), Street & City life and  AI Creative, up to 28 photos per entrant. 

LOW ENTRY FEE Only USD10 for all 7 categories!

Closing date:May 27,2025

Country-Canada

E-Acceptance & Catalog

You can join at : http://www.gcpa.club

All awarded entries will be exhibited during the DALI International Photography Exhibition and an awards ceremony will be held.

Questions? Write to contest2020@gcpa.photo

Entry rules:  GCPA

2025 Annual Photo Challenge

Now open and closes on May 15, 2025 – You can view this competition webpage here

Updated – CAPA Eligibility Criteria

To provide appropriate clarification, the following narrative has been added to our CAPA Eligibility Criteria webpage:

  • Image(s) featuring graffiti or street art are eligible for our competition ONLY when they demonstrate substantial creative input beyond mere documentation, such as unique perspective, composition, inclusion of external elements or context that transforms the viewer’s experience.

Understanding RAW Files, DNG Conversion and Competition Requirements

  • To address confusion among photographers regarding image file requirements, this document has been developed to provide clear guidelines and specifications. Document is available is both official languages

English
French

2025 – 2026 Competitions

As of April 1, 2025 our competitions for 2025-2026 are now posted to our Current Competitions listing, on our website 

The following notable updates have been included in all our 2025-2026 competitions:

Image Metadata Required:

All submitted photographs should maintain complete, unaltered original metadata (EXIF). Preserving this information facilitates verification of potential winning entries.

Submissions must include full metadata from post-processing applications to ensure competition integrity. Screenshots and screen captures are not accepted as they remove essential metadata needed for fair evaluation.

The Competition Director will request original un-retouched JPEG or RAW files for potential winning images to verify compliance. Only images with intact metadata will be accepted for verification and authentication purposes.

Photographers of potential winning entries may be required to submit all original files, including unretouched JPG/RAW files, XMP files, and any other image files incorporated into the final submission.

If a photographer fails to provide requested image files when asked by the Director, their potential winning entry will be withdrawn and competition results recalculated.

These requirements aim to ensure transparency and verify adherence to the competition’s specifications regarding image authenticity and compliance with the editing criteria.

Image Specifications

Title of Image

When images are uploaded into a competition, you are required to enter the title of your image into the Title Field which is now limited to 32 characters. Title can be in either  English or French.

For all Zone competitions

The following narrative has been added to all Zone Competitions:

CAPA medals will be awarded to entrants with the highest aggregate scores across their submitted images in both club and individual categories. Additionally, the top three highest-scoring images in each skill level will receive merit award e-certificates.

Questions Raised & Responses Provided

Question Raised: I am looking at doing some reflection photos with shiny objects and possibly using something like wallpaper samples or pre-printed scrapbook paper from Michaels, etc.  I might also use some postage stamps.

I will of course use a camera to take a photo of the reflective object and the purchased printed material will be in the photo.

How does one decide if the pre-printed material is considered clip art which would be forbidden? If I take a photo of graffiti that isn’t mine but is part of a larger scene, I would assume I can include it.  Obviously, a postage stamp is not my original work so what is the difference with graffiti?

Would it make any difference to take a photo of the wallpaper or stamp and then print it to use? 

Our Response: The key distinction we make is between using pre-printed materials as physical elements within your photograph versus digitally inserting clip art or stock images after taking the photo.

When you photograph reflective objects alongside physical items like wallpaper samples, scrapbook paper, or postage stamps, these are considered physical props in your composition – similar to photographing graffiti as part of a street scene. These elements are being captured through your original photography, even though the designs themselves weren’t created by you.

What would not be permitted is:

  • Digitally adding clip art or stock images during post-processing
  • Using digital templates or frames that weren’t physically present when the photo was taken

Your approach of photographing physical objects and their reflections, including commercially printed materials as props, is perfectly acceptable within our competition rules.

Question Raised: Are border or frame permitted in CAPA competitions?  If not, why not? 

Our Response: Unfortunately, all our photo competitions contain the following restriction:

Frames, Borders, Pin-lines, and Mats: Photograph must not contain any decorative elements like frames, borders, pin-lines, or mats.  This includes the edges and markings of scanned film.  When the frame is integral to the captured image, for instance a window frame or door frame that has been captured by the camera, these elements are permitted.

The rationale for this restriction is based on the focus that the competition aims to evaluate the photograph itself, not decorative additions.  Frames and borders can distract from or enhance an image in ways that aren’t part of the original photographic skill.  

With this restriction, all photographers compete solely on their photographic merits rather than their framing or presentation skills, ensuring fairness.  As such, this restriction emphasizes fundamental photography elements like composition, lighting, subject matter, and technical execution rather than post-processing embellishments.  

Finally, decorative elements can create unconscious bias among judges.  Without these elements, judges can evaluate all entries with the same visual baseline.

Speakers Series – April 2025 – Eric Boutilier-Brown

CAPA presents via YouTube Live : Eric Boutilier-Brown

English presentation : April 16, 2025

Pacific 4:00 PM – Mountain 5:00 PM – Central 6:00 PM – Eastern 7:00 PM – Atlantic 8:00 PM (Canada)

Theme/topic of the presentation: Fine Digital Printing

Summary:

Canadian photographer Eric Boutilier-Brown will give an overview of fine digital printing, examining its roots in chemical darkrooms, discussing the differences between home and lab printing, and the incredible potential of the modern fine digital print.

Available to Individual CAPA members via the members only section of the website.

Please login, go to Members > Zoom & YouTube Live Invitation > Speakers Series, copy and save the YouTube link before the presentation.

Speaker's Bio

Eric Boutilier-Brown grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he continues to live and work. Eric began photographing at 17 prior to attending the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design from which he graduated in 1995.

Eric’s primary subjects are the Nude and Architecture. The first 18 years of his work was produced using film camera (from tiny 110 film all they way up to 12”x20” view cameras). Since 2003 he has been working with digital camera, exploring both visible and infrared light.

Eric Boutilier-Brown has presented lectures on his work, and taught classes and workshops in both Canada and the United States. His work has been exhibited internationally, and published in over 2 dozen books and magazines.

Enjoy a selection of his works below.

March 2025 Judging Program News

JUDGING PROGRAM NEWS

Work continues on the new judging course. A team of experienced judges and curriculum developers are updating lesson plans, building on the work done by those who created the original course. We are still on track for a fall 2025 launch. Watch for updates in upcoming newsletters.

New CAPA Certified Judges
Congratulations to Paul Kiely and Jean-Marc Legentil who recently completed the Judge Certification Program and qualified as CAPA Certified Judges. You will find contact information Paul & Jean-Marc on the latest National Judges List.

National Judges List
The Judges List is now online! All CAPA Clubs have online access to the latest list of CAPA Certified Judges and CAPA Apprentice Judges. Log in to your club’s account and go to Members > National Judges List. You must be logged in to your club’s account to download the list.

If you have questions or would like further information, please contact the Director of the Judging Program at judgingdirector@capacanada.ca.