We hold regular competitions throughout the year to give members an opportunity to put their new found skills into practice, and competitions are a great way to improve and get feedback on your photography. We use visiting judges who provide constructive feedback on all entries and allocate a score between 0 and 20. This scoring system is the same as the one used by the L&CPU and will enable us to see how our images will stand in external competitions. The points awarded for each competition accumulate to your tally for the end of year awards.
General competition guidelines – How to prepare your images for submission. Scroll down for guidelines for specific competition themes.
Software for competitions – Learn how to install the LPS Entry Preparer application
Competition galleries
2025-26 Competition scores and league table
2025-26 Competition themes and dates
| Competition theme/title | Hand-in date | Judging night date |
| Competition 1: Informal print (note we need the digital images of your prints, too) | 15/09/2025 (digital files) 22/09/2025 (prints) | 29/09/2025 |
| Competition 2: Open DPI | 13/10/2025 | 03/11/2025 |
| Competition 3: Minimalist | 01/12/2025 | 05/01/2026 |
| Competition 4: Historic Lancashire | 02/02/2026 | 23/02/2026 |
| President’s Challenge* | 23/02/2026 | 16/03/2026 |
| Competition 5: Open DPI | 23/03/2026 | 13/04/2026 |
Specific Competition Guidelines
Competition 4: Historic Lancashire
Up to 2 colour and 2 mono
Historic Lancashire captures the spirit of the county as shaped by its past—its landscapes, architecture, and everyday places that tell a story. From ancient churches and stone villages to mills, canals, and rugged countryside, it reflects the traditions, industry, and communities that have defined Lancashire over generations. For this photography competition, Historic Lancashire is about revealing the character, heritage, and timeless atmosphere of the county through the lens.
President’s Challenge
Up to 2 images, colour or mono
For this competition (which doesn’t count to the annual league table of scores) we ask you to pick up to two pictures by your favourite artists and give us a photographic interpretation of them. Your images can be colour or mono as you choose.