The Level Playing Field - New Federal Statutes To Govern Camera Clubs

Wait for it - it is only a matter of time before someone in Canberra takes a long lunch and comes back with this idea: All entries into camera club competitions must be the same size and shape to allow for even judgement. In addition, each entry must be matted the same way and hung at the same height and in light of the same colour temperature and intensity. Projected images must also be displayed with equal light upon a standardised surface. Inspectors with badges and warrant will be dispatched to the clubs for surprise inspections and infractions of the rules will incur on-the-spot fines.

Federal police spokesmen will be using the term " crackdown " frequently when interviewed in the press.

There will also be provisions in the act to compel competitors to take their photographs under similar conditions - no longer will the richer members of camera clubs who can afford to travel overseas be able to overbear the poorer members who must stay at home and take local subjects. Of course people will still be able to travel - this is in accordance with the federal laws that provide a level landing field for airlines - except in certain Asian countries - and a level bar surface for tourism operators. The new law will require anyone using an image taken overseas to re-imburse the club with the cost of the travel so that it can be re-distributed to the other members. This may affect those who wish to travel business class...

Of course the use of different classes or levels of equipment has always meant the disadvantaging of certain photographers - the new act will address this by requiring all club photos submitted to be taken with the same gear. The new standard club camera will be the Flapoflex K30 IIIA ( A for Australia ) with a standardised 35mm lens. Low light workers will be pleased to hear that the lens has a fixed aperture of f:1.8. The price of the new standardised camera will not be fixed, because that would be against the ACCC...

There has been some debate amongst the international award-winning iconic mentors as to whether these new laws will stifle the artistic spirit of Australia. We in the Guild take the opposite view - if the photographers of Australia have been willing to accept the Rule of Thirds and the Sheimpflug Rules for the last five decades, there is no reason not to impose more upon them.