Minimal Editing

Minimal Editing is intended as a “straight from the camera” test of skill, and allows only the adjustments essential to convert your original image into a form acceptable for submission on DPChallenge. Most editing tools are not permitted under these rules. Restrictions on post-processing apply to ALL edits performed after the image is captured, whether on a computer or with in-camera tools.

All disqualifications are determined by majority vote of the Site Council. If you have any questions, you should err on the side of caution or contact the Site Council before submitting your entry. Entries that violate the letter or spirit of these rules will be disqualified.

Any of these rules may be overridden by the “Extra Rules” section of the Challenge Details.

• taken with a digital camera that records EXIF data.
• a JPEG (.jpg) file.
• no larger than 700 KB (716,800 bytes) (300 KB for challenges prior to October 22nd, 2014).
• at least 160 pixels, and no more than 1200 pixels on each side (no more than 800 pixels for challenges prior to October 22nd, 2014).
• taken after the challenge is announced and before the deadline, based on the Current Server Time (US Eastern Standard/Daylight Time) displayed at the bottom of every page on this site.
• taken and post-processed by you. Someone else may press the shutter button if you set up the shot and the camera settings. No one else may post-process your entry for you. Exceptions must be approved by the Site Council in advance.

• create your entry from a single capture.
• comply with the DPChallenge Terms of Use.
• ensure that your camera date and time are correctly set to your home time zone before shooting your entry. If the date recorded in your original image file is not within the specified challenge dates, your entry will be disqualified - NO exceptions! If your photo was taken in a different location than indicated in your profile, please note the location in the submission form so that we can adjust accordingly.
• retain your original, unedited file (exactly as recorded by your camera), and provide it to the Site Council along with a list of your editing steps within 48 hours of any validation request. This notice with instructions will be sent to your listed email address, and will also appear on the left side of your DPChallenge home page when you are logged in. Files that have been saved or altered with any editing or transfer software are NOT originals.

• use any feature of your camera while photographing your entry, with the exception of combining multiple captures in-camera.
• rotate your entry by 90, 180 or 270 degrees.
• resize your entry once.
• sharpen your entry using your editing software's “sharpen” or equivalent option. The use of customizable sharpening tools, such as Unsharp Mask, is not allowed.
• fully desaturate your image using your editing software's “desaturate,” “convert to grayscale” or equivalent function. Customizable tools are not allowed.
• request removal of your own entry during the voting period IF none of your last 25 entries were disqualified or removed, and no rules were violated.
• You may include existing artwork in your entry, but photo-realistic artwork such as printed photos, monitor images or realistic illustrations must either be clearly presented as artwork or used only as a minor supporting element. Using photo-realistic artwork to simulate physical objects or backgrounds that provide the primary impact of an entry will be grounds for disqualification.

• Use a RAW original or RAW conversion software. You may shoot in RAW+JPG mode, provided you use the JPG original to create your entry.
• crop your entry.
• adjust brightness, contrast, curves or levels.
• spot-edit your entry for any purpose.
• use the marquee, lasso, or similar tool to select a portion of your image for any reason.
• use any filters or other similar editing tools for any purpose.
• use layers for any purpose.
• adjust hue or saturation, adjust or eliminate individual color channels, or use the Channel Mixer or any equivalent tool, except for the most basic black and white conversion as allowed above.
• add a border to your entry.
• hold more than one DPChallenge account, ask anyone to vote on your behalf, or link to your entry's voting page.
• submit more than one entry per challenge.
• use the same original image in more than one challenge.
• use ANY editing tool to create new image area, objects or features (such as lens flare or motion) that didn't already exist in your original capture.
• add graphics, clip art, computer-rendered images or parts of other photographs to your entry during editing.
• add text to your entry during editing. This includes copyright statements.
• distort or stretch your image in any way.
• submit a photograph depicting male or female genitalia, or acts of sex deemed inappropriate by a majority of the Site Council.

An entry will be disqualified when a majority of the Site Council finds that any of the rules above were not followed.

In order to discourage repeated disqualifications and abuse of the disqualification system, the following penalties will apply for repeat disqualifications:

• 1st DQ in last 25 submissions: No penalty
• 2nd DQ in last 25 submissions: 1 week suspension of submission privileges
• 3rd DQ in last 25 submissions: 2 week suspension of submission privileges
• 4th DQ in last 25 submissions: 4 week suspension of submission privileges and 3 months of required “pre-submission” of proof file.

The above penalties will be assessed only after review by the Site Council. In exceptional circumstances, the Site Council may elect not to apply a penalty. If a user is found to have intentionally violated the Challenge Rules, the above penalties will be in addition to any assessed for the violation itself.