Contact

Please email all enquiries to: Ralph Snook (Salon Chairman) – chairman@bristolsalon.co.uk

Sections

The Salon will consist of Three (3) Print and Three (3) Projected Digital Image sections.

Print:

– Open Colour 
– Open Monochrome 
– Nature 

Projected Digital Image:

– Open Colour 
– Open Monochrome 
– Nature 

Monochrome images may not be entered in Colour sections.

The Exhibition will be conducted in accordance with the rules of FIAP. All acceptances will count towards FIAP and GPU Distinctions.

A maximum of four entries may be submitted into any one Section. The same photograph may not be entered into more than one Section. All entries must have a unique title and that title must not have been changed if the entry has previously been accepted in ANY other International Exhibition or Salon. Images meeting the Monochrome definition and non-manipulated colour images from the same capture shall be considered the same image and must be given the same title.

Fees

Payment of Entry Fees is to be made through PayPal using either your own PayPal account or by utilising any current credit or debit card. All payments will be charged in Sterling. Please note: All entrants will be able to download a high quality digital copy of the catalogue.UK entrants will receive a printed catalogue. Overseas entrants that require a printed copy will need to pay an additional postage fee. The appropriate fees are set out below.

Return of Prints:

If you have elected to have your prints returned, and not requested that we forward them to the Midland International Exhibition on your behalf, you MUST add return postage as follows: UK Flat Fee £6 PLUS 10p for each un-mounted print Overseas Flat Fee £10 PLUS  10p for each un-mounted print.

Non Payment of Fees:

Entries for which the appropriate fee has not been received, will not go forward to selection.

Selectors

Click here to see the list of judges for each section.

Awards

The ‘Best in Salon’ award will be given to the image selected as the best of the 6 section winners.

Catalogues – Printed

UK Entrants and Overseas entrants that have opted to pay the additional postage will receive a FIAP 4* colour printed catalogue. Catalogues will be posted 2^nd Class for UK entrants and surface mail for overseas entrants. A high quality version of the catalogue will be available as a ‘flip book’ and/or pdf for entrants to download from the Bristol Salon Website

Notifications

Notification of results will be sent by email. You must ensure that you provide an active email address and that spam filters are set to accept emails from BPS@PhotoCompEntries.net. Notifications will not be sent by post. Certificates for all acceptances and awards will be sent shortly after the results email.  Medals will be posted separately

Public Showings

A representative selection of the accepted images (approx. 30%) will be projected at public showings, without the need to obtain specific consent.

Submission

Please Note: Entries will only be accepted using the official on-line system please click here.

Images and a completed entry form must be submitted on-line using the Bristol Salon website (www.bristolsalon.co.uk) and then following the links to the entry system. Entries will not be accepted by any other means.  You MUST use only the Western/Latin alphabet when submitting an entry.

a)  The Entry Forms must be completed fully.

b)  It is your responsibility to ensure that the Entry Forms are CLEARLY and CORRECTLY completed in ALL respects. Please pay particular attention to the correct entry and formatting of the address.  Where the Exhibition Organisers consider that this is not the case, they will not accept any responsibility for the safe delivery of Report Cards, Catalogues or Awards.

c)  Entry Fees will be paid via PAYPAL. Please refer to the Entry Fees Panel for details of Entry Fees. In the specific cases where your own country’s regulations prevent the use of PayPal, you should contact the Salon Chairman to make alternative arrangements. Please note that entries without the correct fee or without any fee will not go to selection.

d)  Entries must be received by midnight  1st February 2026 GMT

          e) An image may only be entered in one section.

 

General Conditions

Image and Entry Requirements – All Sections

This exhibition is open to anyone; however, an entry may be rejected when the Sponsor or the Exhibition Organizers, in their reasonable discretion, believes the entry does not conform to exhibition rules and these Conditions of Entry. Membership in any photographic organization is not required.

In particular please ensure that all elements of any submitted image must be the work of the author, who also holds the copyright of those elements.

Entries will not be accepted from any entrant who has been put on the on the FIAP Red List. Entry fees are not refundable in these circumstances.

Image creation and ownership

In all sections of the exhibition, images must originate as photographs made by the entrant. They may not incorporate identifiable images produced by anyone else (for example: clip art, replacement skies, or stock images). Images created whole or in part by image creation software (frequently called “AI” images) are not allowed.

Reproduction

The entrant permits the sponsors to reproduce all or part of the entered material free of charge for publication and/or display in media related to the exhibition. This may include low resolution posting on a website.
Entries will not be accepted from entrants who indicate that their images may not be reproduced in materials related to the exhibition. The exhibition assumes no liability for any misuse of copyright.

Re-use of accepted images

Any image that has been previously accepted in any previous running of the Bristol Salon may not be entered again into this year’s Bristol Salon. Re-titling in another language is not allowed.

Entry

An Entry consists of, up to and including, four (4) images entered by a single entrant into the same
Section. An entrant may enter from one (1) to six (6) Sections but may only enter a specific Section once.

Entrants may not enter identical or similar images into the same section or different sections of the same exhibition. Similar is defined as almost identical in subject, composition, props, lighting or technique so that a reasonable person viewing the entries together would decide the entrant has duplicated the previous image except for minor changes. Images taken in burst mode are covered b this rule, consecutive images of the same subject are not allowed. The Exhibition Chairman and Selectors are the sole arbiters.

Titles

Each image must have a unique title that relates to the content of the image. Titles must be 35 characters or fewer and use only the Latin/Roman alphabet, i.e. A/a – Z/z and 0 – 9. No titles may be visible to the selectors, and nothing in the image may identify the entrant. Titles must not include file extensions such as .jpg or .jpeg (or any other camera capture filenames eg IMG 471). Titles may not consist of personal identifiers possibly augmented by a number: or include words such as “untitled” or “no title”. Titles may not consist solely of numbers unless those numbers are prominently contained within the image, such as a contestant number in a race. Nature entries should not have “cute titles” but should have descriptive titles that properly identify the subject.

Colour and Monochrome

Colour and Monochrome images from the same capture that share substantial pictorial content in common will be considered the same image and must be given the same title.
Monochrome and Colour images from the same capture that share substantial pictorial content in common will be considerd the same image, only one may be entered..

Image Size & Format

Projected Digital Images

Images should be in JPEG format with the preferred colour space of sRGB.

Maximum image size (including any borders) is 1600 pixels horizontally and 1200 pixels vertically. Please note, portrait orientated images must be no larger than 1200 pixels vertically. Smaller images are acceptable but will be projected smaller on the screen. Please check all image sizes before submission; images with sizes larger than specified will be rejected.

The projection background is black, DO NOT fill empty space with/or add large borders. Any borders should be no greater than 2 pixels wide and must be incorporated within the 1600 x 1200 pixels image size.

The image title should be as you wish to see it in the catalogue.

Prints

You must submit a digital version of each print during the entry process. Image size for the digital version should adhere to the guidelines for the digital entries shown above. The digital version of your print will only be used in catalogue production, website galleries and public showing of accepted images and will not be viewed by the selectors.

Prints MUST be sent unmounted, mounted prints will not be considered. Prints must be sent on A3 or A4 paper., Entries on any other size paper may not go forward to selection. Do no send A3+ paper it is likely to be damaged in storage for which we accept no responsibility.

The image may be any size within the paper, but if the image does not fill the paper do not trim to the actual image size.

Scoring labels will be generated and attached by the Salon Organisers.

The entrants name and print title should be on the back of each print. The title must match the title on the entry form. I attaching your own label then only pressure sensitive (self adhesive) labels may be used. Please do not attach your own labels in the top right corner of the print (viewed from the back).

Prints should be sent to

The Bristol Salon, is the first salon in the group of UK print salons consisting of ‘The Midland Salon’, the ‘Smethwick International Salon’, and the ‘Southampton International Salon’, Prints can therefore be forwarded to the Midland Salon if required. There is no fee for forwarding the prints, but you must check the forward print request on the online entry form in order for them to be forwarded. Entrants who forward prints will of course have to enter the Midland Salon in the normal manner.

If you are not forwarding prints then can be returned if you pay the return postage fee. If you do not forward to the Midland Salon or request return of your prints then entry to the exhibition is taken as authorisation for the exhibition to destroy the prints when the exhibition ends.

Organisation

The Exhibition will be conducted in accordance with the rules of FIAP.

An entrant’s images will not be presented to the selectors consecutively. An entrant’s four images will be distributed throughout four rounds of judging in that section. Distribution of images will be in the same round order as submitted by the entrant.

Selection Method

The selectors will view the images together in the same location and marking will be done by electronic means. The digital images are projected using a colour calibrated EPSONEB-L630U digital projector with resolution 1920 x 1200 displaying the images at 100% of the image resolution. No resizing of any image will take place. The equipment assumes that the image is in sRGB. If you use a different colour space, you should convert to sRGB before submitting If your entries do not meet the specifications they may not display correctly.

Prints will be assessed using an illuminated colour corrected light stand.

Target range: Acceptance rates is a maximum of 30% in each section.

Data Protection

By entering this exhibition, you are explicitly consenting to the personal details you have supplied, including email addresses, being held, processed and used by the exhibition organizers for purposes associated with this exhibition. You also explicitly consent to such information being sent to organizations that have accorded official recognition, patronage or accreditation to this exhibition.

You acknowledge, agree and accept that by entering this exhibition, your participation status which includes your first and last name, name of the country used during registration at the exhibition , number of sections entered and number of photos entered in those sections will be made public in a published status list and that the results of your entry shall be made public in exhibition gallery, and exhibition catalogue. You also agree and accept the policies regarding non-compliance to the rules of the FIAP

Subject Matter & Definitions

Statement on Subject Matter – applicable to all sections

The fundamental rule that must be observed at all times and applies to all sections offered in exhibitions with FIAP patronageor PSA recognition is that the welfare of living creatures is more important than any photograph. This means that practices such as baiting of subjects with a living creature and removal of birds from nests, for the purpose of obtaining a photograph, are highly unethical, and such photographs are not allowed in any exhibition with FIAP patronage. Under no circumstances may a living creature be placed in a situation where it will be killed, injured or stressed for the purpose of obtaining a photograph. Images that show live creatures being fed to captive animals, birds or reptiles are not permitted under any circumstances.

There is also concern about the use of aerial photography, drones, helicopters, low flying aircraft. These should not cause any interference with other individuals or animals which causes a disturbance in their normal activity or disrupts the way any individuals or animals interact with their environment.

Entry in this exhibition is conditional on accepting these policies. The content of images must comply with these General Conditions and with the Division and Section definitions listed below. Images that in the sole opinion of the selectors or the Exhibition Organisers do not comply will be disqualified.

FIAP Monochrome Definition

A black and white work fitting from the very dark grey (black) to the very clear grey (white) is a monochrome work with the various shades of grey. A black and white work toned entirely in a single colour will remain a monochrome work able to stand in the black and white category; such a work can be reproduced in black and white in the catalogue of a salon under FIAP Patronage. On the other hand a black and white work modified by a partial toning or by the addition of one colour becomes a colour work (polychrome) to stand in the colour category; such a work requires colour reproduction in the catalogue of a salon under FIAP Patronage

Monochrome images may not be entered in Print or Digital Colour sections.

Nature – FIAP Definition

Content Guidelines

Nature photography records all branches of natural history except anthropology and archaeology. This includes all aspects of the physical world, both over water and underwater. Nature images must convey the truth of the scene. A well-informed person should be able to identify the subject of the image, be satisfied that it has been presented honestly and that no unethical practices have been used to control the subject or capture the image. Images that directly or indirectly show any human activity threatening a living organism’s life or welfare are not allowed. The most important part of a Nature image is the nature story it tells. High technical standards are expected and the image must look natural.

• Objects created by humans, and evidence of human activity, are allowed in Nature images only when they are a necessary part of the Nature story.
• Photographs of human-created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domesticated animals, human-created hybrid animals and mounted or preserved zoological specimens are not allowed.
• Photographs made where the scene is natural and the animal is unharmed in a carefully managed environment, such as zoo, rescue shelters, and ethically managed natural farms are permitted.
• Attracting or controlling subjects through the use of food or sound for the purpose of photographing them is not allowed. Maintained situations such as provided supplemental food due to hardship caused by weather conditions or other conditions beyond the animals’ control, where photography is incidental to the feeding of the animal does not fall under this provision.
• Controlling live subjects by chilling, anaesthetic or any other method of restricting natural movement for a photograph is not allowed.
• Images taken with subjects under controlled conditions, such as zoos, are allowed.
• Controlling live subjects by chilling, anaesthetic or any other method of restricting natural movement for the purpose of a photograph is not allowed.
• Human-made elements shall be permitted under the following circumstances:
  • When they are an integral part of the nature story, such as a songbird singing atop a fence post, a manmade object used as nest material, or a weather phenomenon destroying a man-made structure.
  • When they are a small but unavoidable part of the scene, such as an unobtrusive footprint or track in the background.
  • Scientific tags, collars, and bands are specifically allowed.

Editing guidelines for Nature

Processing or editing must be limited to making an image look as close to the original scene as possible, except that conversion to grayscale monochrome is allowed.

Allowed editing techniques:

• Cropping, straightening and perspective corrections.
• Removal or correction of elements added by the camera or lens, such as dust spots, noise, chromatic aberration and lens distortion.
• Global and selective adjustments such as brightness, hue, saturation and contrast to restore the appearance of the original scene.
• Complete conversion of colour images to grayscale monochrome.
• Blending of multiple images of the same subject and combining them in camera or with software (exposure blending or photo stacking).
• Image stitching – combining multiple images with overlapping fields of view that are taken consecutively (panoramas).

Editing techniques that are not allowed:

• Removing, adding to, moving or changing any part of an image, except for cropping and straightening.
• Adding a vignette during processing.
• Blurring parts of the image during processing to hide elements in the original scene.
• Darkening parts of the image during processing to hide elements in the original scene.
• All conversions other than to complete grayscale monochrome
• Conversion of parts of an image to monochrome, or partial toning, desaturation or over-saturation of colour

Breaches of Rules:

FIAP

The mention that by the sole act of submitting his/her images or files to a salon under FIAP Patronage, the entrant accepts without exception and with no objection the following terms: –

• that the submitted images can be investigated by FIAP to establish if these obey to FIAP regulations and definitions even if the entrant is not a member of FIAP,
• that FIAP will use any means at its disposal for this undertaking,
• that any refusal to cooperate with FIAP or any refusal to submit the original files as captured by the camera, or failure to provide sufficient evidence, will be sanctioned by FIAP,
• that in case of sanctions following the non compliance with FIAP regulations, the name of the entrant will be released in any form useful to inform the breaches of the rules.
• It is recommended to leave the EXIF data in the submitted files intact in order to ease eventual investigations. If, at any time, it is determined in the reasonable discretion of the exhibition organizer or the judges before, during, or after the judging of an exhibition that an entrant has submitted entries where one or more images may fail to comply with these Conditions of Entry, including the stated definitions, the exhibition organizers reserve the right to delete the entry from the exhibition and void any or all acceptances or awards in connection with the exhibition. Fees may be forfeited or refunded in these circumstances. The entrant acknowledges that the decision of the exhibition organizers or the judges is final.

Notice to Entrants

FIAP

In order to have legal authority on those who do not respect the rules of FIAP, the organiser must ensure that all participants of an online event under FIAP Patronage tick a box next to which the following text is stated:

“I hereby expressly agree to FIAP document 018/2017 « Conditions and regulations for FIAP Patronage »
and FIAP document 033/2021 « Sanctions for breaching FIAP regulations and the red list ». I am particularly aware of chapter II « Regulations for International photographic events under FIAP patronage » of FIAP document 018/2017, dealing under Section II.2 and II.3 with the FIAP participation rules, the sanctions for breaching FIAP regulations and the red list

Failure to agree will mean that the application will not proceed.

Patronages & Recognition

The Salon has the Patronage of theFIAP, GPU and the PAGB.
The Bristol Salon of Photography is organised by Bristol Photographic Society.

Bristol Photographic Society is a Registered Charity – No. 297259
Limited by Guarantee – Registered in England No. 2004478
Registered Office: Unit 13, Montpelier Central, Station Rd, Bristol, BS6 5EE, England.