Fine art photography is the deliberate use of the camera or smartphone as a creative medium to express the artist’s unique ideas, emotions, and messages. The initial images must be a camera-capture, though it may be enhanced through a photo post processing application but without the use of AI digital creations or the enhancement of the image with generative features. 

Unlike conventional photography, fine art transcends mere documentation or representation of employing innovative techniques and artistic vision to convey a deeper meaning. 

The challenge for the photographer is to create an image that challenges perspectives, evokes emotional responses, and communicates personal or universal truths in ways that are distinctly their own.

Submitted images must fall within one of the following themes: 

• Abstract – imaginative abstract images that showcase creativity in the use of shape, colour, light and composition in new or uncommon ways. Both natural and everyday scenes presented with a fresh perspective are encouraged, that then images primarily create with filters or actions. 
• Landscape – Transform urban or rural landscapes into evocative artistic expressions that go beyond scenic documentation. Images should reveal hidden perspectives, dramatic atmospheres or emotional connections through create use of light, weather, composition, and timing. 
• Creative Vision – Transform familiar subjects and scenes through creative manipulation of perspective, light, and context to create an otherworld narrative where reality and imagination intertwine. 
• Still Life – Transform inanimate objects, traditional or non-traditional, into artistic arrangements using lighting, depth of field, and perspective to find the Beaty in ordinary things. “Still life” for the purpose of this theme, is defined as “a work of art that focuses on commonplace, inanimate subjects”.  That can include both manmade objects (vases, items of clothing, consumer products), and natural objects (flowers and plants, food, rocks and shells).

For a full definition of each theme and rules for this competition can be found on the CAPA website, https://capacanada.ca/2026-fine-art-competition/. 

It is the photographer’s responsibility to ensure that the images they are submitting meet the CAPA criteria. 

Note:  CAPA’s full submission criteria can be found on the CAPA website at https://capacanada.ca/capa-competitions/capas-eligibility-criteria/  and CAPA’s new AI requirements at https://capacanada.ca/updated-ai-requirements-on-capa-competitions/.

Submissions to CAPA are uploaded to their database which requires that they must meet the following requirements.

Maximum horizontal size – 1400 pixels

Maximum vertical size – 1050 pixels

Maximum file size – 1.8 MB

File format – .jpeg or jpg

Image Titles – The file name must include the photographer’s name and the image title, with no symbols such as /-_ or “.

An image’s title may be used by the judges in evaluating a submission, so ensure your title complements or contributes to the vision or message being presented in the image. 

As a CAPA club member we are entitled to submit 6 images, from 6 different photographers, all images submitted to our External Competition Chair will be adjudicated, and the best images will be submitted on behalf of the club. You will be notified if your image is selected as one of the club’s submissions.

Images are to be submitted to the externalcomp@hcpclub.ca by January 24, 2026.

The CAPA due date for this competition is January 30, 2026 and results will be shared approximately 2 weeks after this date. The results will be a numeric score out of 30 only and these results will be shared with the individual members via email when received.