FAQ English
- What is a Photocross?
- When will the next photocross take place?
- Is there an entry fee?
- Is it absolutely necessary to enrol on the web site?
- If I am enrolled and I cannot take part in the competition?
- If we enrol as a team of 4 persons and finally only 3 persons can participate, is this possible?
- Is it better to use a digital camera of a film camera?
- May we use a mobile phone to take photos?
- Are we allowed to make use of a car, a bicycle or an aeroplane?
- What accessories are allowed?
- Is it preferable to be alone, or part of a team.
- If there are several members in a team, can we use several different cameras?
- Can we take several photos per given theme?
- I have a photo that I took in 1971 which corresponds perfectly to a given theme, can I use it?
- What is the most important? To cross the finishing line as quickly as possible, or to take the best photo?
- If I finish late?
- I’ve finished taking the photos, what should I do?
- What happens next?
- Is it possible to modify, correct, rearrange the photos?
- What is the signification of “in accordance with the theme”?. What does this mean?
- How do you judge originality?
- Why do you not like photos of tramps?
- What is the signification of photographing oneself? Why is it not permitted?
- What do you mean by the photo of a “representation”? Why is it not appropriate to photograph a poster in the street?
- I do not understand the criteria of the jury. What is the meaning of bonus and malus points?
- I disagree with the note, can I contest it? I don’t understand your marking.
- Who are the members of the jury?
- What do the Pro and Lite scores mean?
- Can a team of 3 persons vote 3 times?
- Is it permitted to vote for one’s own team.
- Is there only one winner? To whom are the prizes awarded?
- Why organise a photocross?
- Who invented the photocross?
- I should like to organise a photocross in my town. What should I do?
What is a Photocross?
A photocross is a competition open to amateur photographers, organised on a given date and following specific themes.
topWhen will the next photocross take place?
Information on the next photocross in provided on the web site. You may enrol your team and consult the programme directly on line.
topIs there an entry fee?
Yes, you do have to pay to participate in the photocross. You will find details of entry fees on the web site or the forum. The amount varies, depending on the photocross, please consult the forum.The entry fee for the Photocross Chamonix is 10 euro per team
topIs it absolutely necessary to enrol on the web site?
It is preferable, but not obligatory. We need to know how many teams there will be in order to prepare the photocross accordingly. This also avoids taking down names and first names of all team members at the start of the competition and increases efficiency.
topIf I am enrolled and I cannot take part in the competition?
It does not matter. Enrol your team on the web site, even if you are not completely sure that you will be able to participate in the competition.
topIf we enrol as a team of 4 persons and finally only 3 persons can participate, is this possible?
Yes it is possible. The entry fee is the same, however many team members there are.
topIs it better to use a digital camera of a film camera?
The choice is yours, you may use either type of camera. However, your result has to be presented to the jury in digital form.
topMay we use a mobile phone to take photos?
You can, but the photos will not be of an excellent quality. You will be competing against participants equipped with high quality cameras, both digital and reflex. However, not only the quality of the photo is important in this photocross, attention is also paid to the originality of the photo; the creative approach and the teams capacity to think rapidly and capture interesting images.
topAre we allowed to make use of a car, a bicycle or an aeroplane?
All modes of transport are accepted without restriction (except where there is a special mention to the contrary).
topWhat accessories are allowed?
It’s up to you. You can use a map, so as not to get lost. A tripod might also be useful.
topIs it preferable to be alone, or part of a team.
It’s entirely up to you.
topIf there are several members in a team, can we use several different cameras?
During the photocross, the team has to remain together and cannot separate. To ensure this is the case, we require that a photo of the same subject be taken with each of the participating cameras. You may also take all photos with just one designated camera. These rules ensure that each team competes under the same conditions.
topCan we take several photos per given theme?
As many as you wish, but you can only present one photo per theme to the jury.
topI have a photo that I took in 1971 which corresponds perfectly to a given theme, can I use it?
No, only photos taken during the duration of the photocross are accepted.
topWhat is the most important? To cross the finishing line as quickly as possible, or to take the best photo?
Both speed and creativity are important in a photocross and the jury takes both factors into consideration. Even a team that comes in last, still has a chance of winning on the quality of its photography. The most important is to derive pleasure and satisfaction whilst taking the photos and ultimately when viewing the results.
topIf I finish late?
Come to the finishing line all the same. At the best you will be penalised by 2 points for every minutes delay. At the worst, you will find nobody at the finishing control post.
topI’ve finished taking the photos, what should I do?
As soon as you get to the finishing line make sure you are registered. Then you must hand over your photos: take the memory card from your camera and connect it to one of the designated computers for this purpose. For film photos, you must have already converted them into digital form.
topWhat happens next?
You are free to do whatever you wish until the prize giving – details indicated in the programme.
topIs it possible to modify, correct, rearrange the photos?
You can use the capacities of your camera to treat the photo. We encourage the use of your camera’s technology whilst you take the photos and we also accept the changes possible within your camera’s internal programme (contrast, light, sepia). However, alterations made using special picture programmes are not authorised. Only your camera’s memory card will be accepted.
topWhat is the signification of “in accordance with the theme”?. What does this mean?
In the winning criteria, we include the parameter “in accordance with the theme”. This means that when observing the photo, one can determine the theme in question. The theme can also be formulated by expressions such as “bang bang” or “whispering”. Each member of the jury has to be able to identify the chosen theme within 10 seconds. You will be penalised if the identification of a theme takes more than 30 seconds. You must identify your theme before capturing the image and not attribute a photo to a theme subsequently.
topHow do you judge originality?
The originality of the photo is judged by comparison with the other photos on the same theme. If all the photographers interpret a theme the same way, there are no bonus points. However if one photographer develops a different approach, thus avoiding stereotyped image, he will obtain a bonus point.
topWhy do you not like photos of tramps?
We do not like invading personal dignity. We appreciate photos which develop artistic expression and original tracks of thought. Certain subjects exclude themselves automatically. Photo crossers, please be cheerful.
topWhat is the signification of photographing oneself? Why is it not permitted?
Photographing oneself implies setting the scene in order to save time. We do not exclude this proposition, but consider it more interesting to find pre-existing subjects or to convince passers-by to partake in illustrating a theme. For this reason, we apply the following rule: no team member can appear more than once in the photos presented at the end of the competition; auto portraits are not accepted.
topWhat do you mean by the photo of a “representation”? Why is it not appropriate to photograph a poster in the street?
You photograph a “representation” when you use posters, monuments, statues, inscriptions etc. to illustrate a theme. However it is not permitted that you photograph an image (poster, photo, picture) that already illustrates the theme in question, as it means you are using somebody else’s creative thoughts. This would be considered as theft and is of no artistic interest.
topI do not understand the criteria of the jury. What is the meaning of bonus and malus points?
A bonus is a “+” point, a malus is a penalty point. The bonus impoves your end result, the malus obviously lowers your note.
topI disagree with the note, can I contest it? I don’t understand your marking.
It is fair enough to wish to contest a note. Study the judge’s appreciations according to each criteria and add up the total. If you do not agree with the result, you can appeal to the members of the jury. The decision will be debated and outside opinions may also be requested. Given the fact that judging is subjective, contestations are accepted and arguments may be proffered if they are constructive to the jury’s reflection.
topWho are the members of the jury?
In each photocross, the members of the jury are different. In principal, they are professional photographers and previous participants who are aware of all the subtleties of the photocross and have studied the whys and wherefores of the competition. No worries, you have your allies in the jury.
topWhat do the Pro and Lite scores mean?
The Pro score is the note given to your photos from the members of the jury. Each photo is noted on a scale of ten points. We add up the notes, the penalties and the bonuses for each team. The higher your note, the better your chance of winning.
The Lite score is the participants vote, i.e the number of votes accorded by other participating teams. The winning team is the one with the greatest number of votes.
The winning Pro teams and the winning Lite teams may well be different.
topCan a team of 3 persons vote 3 times?
No, there is only one vote per team.
topIs it permitted to vote for one’s own team.
No, it lacks style!
topIs there only one winner? To whom are the prizes awarded?
It depends, but generally there are:
- 3 prizes for the first 3 places of the Pro awards (jury members vote)
- 3 prizes for the first 3 places of the Lite awards (participants vote)
- 1 team prize for the best note, regardless of speed.
- 1 prize for the winning photo of each theme.
Why organise a photocross?
We choose to organise the photocross because we like the concept. We learn to work in harmony with sponsors and of course with the public. The photocross was initiated by ourselves and we assume the responsibility for its organisation.
topWho invented the photocross?
Alexey Tkatchev invented the first photocross, he continues to develop the concept and he manages today’s project. Other similar projects exist, although they were conceived the initial one which is ours.
topI should like to organise a photocross in my town. What should I do?
Write us a letter, we shall reply to you and we will be happy to assist you with the organisation.
