AI and Image Editing Guidelines for MCPF Competitions / Exhibitions

Event Details

MCPF PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITIONS & EXHIBITIONS
Quick guide for
Open and Nature category submissions

“All images must originate from the photographer’s own capture. Generative AI that adds, replaces or creates pictorial content—including generative fill, AI sky replacement, AI object creation or imported external elements—is not permitted. Every component of a composite must be entirely the photographer’s own work.”

MCPF PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITIONS & EXHIBITIONS
Quick guide for Open and Nature category submissions

AI may assist with processing — it must not invent the photograph

OPEN CATEGORY
Usually permitted

Noise reduction and sharpening that retain captured detail
Lens, perspective and chromatic-aberration corrections.
Exposure, contrast, colour, dodging and burning
AI-assisted selections and masks without replacement
Cropping, straightening and resizing
Permitted HDR, stacking, panoramas and composites made entirely from your own photographs
Cloning or healing from your own image data, where rules allow

NOT PERMITTED
Do not use

Text-to-image generation or any prompt-created visible content
Generative Fill, Expand, replacement or removal that invents pixels
Generated, stock, downloaded or third-party skies, backgrounds, textures or objects
AI enlargement or reconstruction that invents features not recorded by the camera
Any misleading declaration of generated or externally sourced content as wholly photographic

NATURE CATEGORY: TRUTH COMES FIRST
Keep the subject, habitat, conditions, light and biological story truthful. Technical improvement is acceptable only when it does not create, add, remove or meaningfully alter content. Do not change a subject’s shape, colour, markings, condition or behaviour; remove real features that affect the story; or combine frames to fabricate an encounter or event.
FIAP: Follow subject-welfare, human-made element, managed-environment and attraction/control rules.
FIAP Nature definition, INFO 313/2025.
PSA/FIAP: Full greyscale conversion is allowed; partial conversion, toning and infrared are not. Wildlife subjects must be free and unrestrained in a natural habitat. PSA/FIAP Nature Guide for Judges and Exhibitors, 2025.

AUDIO VISUAL:
Use of Artificial Intelligence: AI generated images are considered to be the same as “third party” and “archival” images. They are permitted, in moderation, and if appropriate to the AV Storyline. The organisers will accept the use of algorithmic processing in-camera or in post-processing software which supports digital photography e.g. for noise reduction, sharpening etc. Please note that if you include AI generated images, the AV production may not be eligible for any PAGB, FIAP or RPS patronised competitions. If entering any individual image from a sequence that was AI-generated into any other MCPF competition or exhibition, please check that it complies with those rules and guidelines.
(Check the current % of third party images allowed per sequence by the PAGB on the their website).

6-POINT ELIGIBILITY CHECK

1. Did the scene genuinely happen as shown?
2. Was every visible element recorded by my camera?
3. Did the software use only my captured image data?
4. Have I avoided adding, removing or changing meaningful content?
5. Is the image biologically and environmentally truthful?
6. Can I provide the original file and explain my edits?

Competition rules always take precedence.
When in doubt, ask the organiser before submitting.