“Photographer of the Year,” Second, and Third place awards will be given (depending upon the number of entrants in a category) to the photographers earning the highest cumulative points in competitions throughout the season in all classes. To qualify for Photographer of the Year, a photographer must participate in at least three (3) competitions and receive at least 18 points in any category.
Ties will be broken using the criteria of having the fewest number of total entries and most wins earned, in that order. If there is still a tie, then all tied competitors shall receive awards.
Perfect—thanks for the details. I’ll merge your official description with the framework I drafted earlier, making it more formalized and SEQCC-ready while ensuring tie-breaking is crystal clear and that multiple placements are allowed.
SEQCC Best of the Best Competition Rules
“Best of the Best” A special competition for “Best of the Best” (prints and digital images of the year) in each class will be held at the end of the competition season. Up to three (3) winning entries per medium from the current season only are eligible. Images must be in the original competition mount (for prints, this means the original label with the score must still be affixed to the back).
Purpose
The Best of the Best Competition is a special year-end event that honors the top photographic work of the season. This competition provides recognition to the strongest images across all classes and mediums and serves as the culminating showcase of SEQCC’s competition year.
Eligibility
- The competition includes both prints and digital images.
- Only images from the current season are eligible.
- Eligible images are limited to those that placed during the season:
- Up to three (3) winning entries per medium, per class.
- Print submissions: Must remain in their original competition mount, with the original competition label and score still affixed to the back.
- Photographers may enter fewer than three images if they had fewer qualifying wins.
Classes and Mediums
- The Best of the Best is held within each class (Class B, Class A, and Salon).
- Mediums include:
- Black & White Digital (including B&W prints)
- Color Digital (including Color prints)
- Macro/Close-Up Digital
Judging & Scoring
- Images will be judged using SEQCC’s standard scoring system (7–9 scale, with Image of the Month records noted for tie-breaks).
- Judges’ scores will be totaled; the highest scores determine placements.
- Awards:
- 1st Place Best of the Best
- 2nd Place Best of the Best
- 3rd Place Best of the Best
A single photographer may win multiple awards (e.g., both 1st and 2nd place).
Tie-Breaker Rules
To simplify decision-making, ties will be resolved in the following order:
- Highest Single Judge Score: The image with the highest score from any one judge is ranked higher.
- Number of 9s: If tied, the image with the greater number of 9s (top scores) is ranked higher.
- Image of the Month History: If tied, preference is given to the image that earned an “Image of the Month” award during the season.
- Judge Deliberation: If still unresolved, the judges will confer and cast a deciding vote.
Awards & Recognition
- Winners will be announced at the season-end meeting or annual banquet.
- Awards may include certificates, plaques, or trophies, as determined by the SEQCC Board.
- All Best of the Best winners will be highlighted in SEQCC’s year-end presentation, newsletter, and website.
Awards in the form of plaques, for Photographer of the Year, Best of the Best, and advancement and other award certificates will be presented at the awards celebration in June.
