• A picture of a ‘found’ situation that has a strong human or people element and/or a fresh view of an everyday scene.
• A sports feature picture may also be considered for this category ie. a sports-related picture other than game action that has a strong human interest.

• PLEASE NOTE: Two categories, Human Interest and Feature have the potential to overlap into other categories such as Sports or Spot News. The key to determining which category best fits is perhaps to answer the question, “What is the story you’re trying to tell?” i.e., Smith, of the home team, scored the winning goal OR Smith’s expression reflects the thrill of winning in sports. Please DO NOT enter the same photo in a second category. 
• Another measure of the appropriate category when submitting entries is the page or location of the picture in the paper. This will usually confirm a conscious or subconscious decision on what category the picture falls into, in the mind of the editor.

• A picture with compelling and pleasing aesthetic qualities in regards to composition and graphic elements

• PLEASE NOTE: Two categories, Human Interest and Feature have the potential to overlap into other categories such as Sports or Spot News. The key to determining which category best fits is perhaps to answer the question, “What is the story you’re trying to tell?” i.e., Smith, of the home team, scored the winning goal OR Smith’s expression reflects the thrill of winning in sports. Please DO NOT enter the same photo in a second category. 
• Another measure of the appropriate category when submitting entries is the page or location of the picture in the paper. This will usually confirm a conscious or subconscious decision on what category the picture falls into, in the mind of the editor.

• A series of photographs that tell a visual story or are centered around a single theme. Subject matter can be News, Feature or Sports.
• There is no limit to the number of images per Picture Story entry, but entrants are reminded sometimes less is more.
• Single pictures that are a part of a Picture Story may NOT be entered in a second category.
• Note: If the Picture Story was shot over a period of more than one calendar year, it should be entered in the year it is completed.

• A picture that captures the competitive peak action during a sporting event.

• A picture of an unscheduled news event for which no advance planning was possible. It might also consist of a picture with serious content and strong human interest of a scheduled or organized news event; i.e. mourners at a funeral, protesters, press conferences or staged coverage opportunities

This award recognizes:

• the skill and craft of creative manipulation of photographic images beyond the traditional scope of simple photographic reproduction;
• an entry will consist of one work in black-and-white or colour, with one of the following two identifiers in a manner easily readable: ‘Photo Illustration’ or ‘Composite Photo’;
• the photographic elements of the work must be either original works or photos used with the permission of the photographer. It may contain one or more images, including type or art in any combination. Electronic files or hard copies of the original photo(s) used in creating the photo illustration may be submitted with the entry as background material. Please include the name of the artist with the entry;
• the work will be judged on its creativity, technical skill, overall impact and effectiveness in the communication of ideas to the reader.