THE EXHIBITION

The group runs an Annual Exhibition open to all members of the group. Currently entry to the exhibition is free.

There are four categories, two for prints and two for digital images. A member may submit up to four images into each category.

There are two sub-categories, these are:
   A - All creatures - birds, mammals, reptiles, marine life, insects, etc.
   B - All plant life (including flora, fungi, lichens) and all other subjects,
         including geological and microscopy, plus patterns, design and form
         found within nature.

Selection

A team of three highly qualified group members review all entries and select approximately 120 prints and approximately 30% of the digital entries for inclusion in the exhibition. Each category is judged separately. 

Awards

Two Gold Medals are awarded, one to the best print and the other to the best digital image of the Exhibition. Four Bronze Medals are awarded, one for the best image in each category. In addition, there are certificates for Selector, Highly Commended and Commended awards.

The ‘Tony Wharton Trophy' is awarded to the most successful entrant across all categories.

Timing

The exhibition opens for entries towards the end of year and entry closes in March the following year. The selection usually takes place in late March with the exhibition being opened and displayed at the groups AGM in April.

The 2025 Members Exhibition

The Exhibition will open for entry on 2nd January 2025 and close on 15th March 2025.  Selection will take place on 23rd March 2025 and the results issued to each entrant a few days after selection. The selected prints will be on display at the Nature Group AGM being held at Smethwick Photographic Society on 20th April 2025.  After the AGM the Exhibition awards will be presented to the successful entrants and a showing of all accepted digital entries will be shown.

More information on the 2025 Exhibition and a link to the entry system can be found here.

Definition of Nature

All images must convey the truth of what the author saw at the time of taking. Any manipulation must be confined to exposure adjustments and the removal of minor blemishes or distractions. The final image must have been produced from a single negative, transparency or digital recording and must not be a combination of images. The only exception is focus stacking.