1. Technical Quality
1.1 Sharpness & Focus
The primary subject (aircraft) must be sharp and in focus. Motion blur on the aircraft body is not acceptable. Propeller and rotor blur is permitted and expected.
1.2 Exposure
Images must be correctly exposed. Heavily blown highlights on the airframe or severely underexposed subjects will be rejected. Minor clipping on reflective surfaces (windows, polished metal) is acceptable.
1.3 Noise & Grain
Excessive digital noise that significantly degrades image quality is grounds for rejection. Moderate noise in low-light or night photography will be judged on overall quality.
1.4 Resolution
Images must be submitted at a minimum of 1280px or a maximum of 1920px on the longest edge. Low-resolution or heavily compressed images will not be accepted.
1.5 Chromatic Aberration & Distortion
Severe lens distortion or coloured fringing that noticeably detracts from the image is not acceptable.
2. Composition
2.1 Framing
The aircraft must be the clear primary subject. Significant clipping of wings, tail, nose, or engines is not permitted unless it is an intentional and artistically justified detail shot.
2.2 Horizon
The horizon must be level unless a deliberate creative tilt is clearly intentional and well executed.
2.3 Distracting Elements
Obstructions such as fences, vehicles, equipment, or people that significantly detract from the aircraft should be avoided. Screeners should use discretion — some environmental context adds authenticity.
2.4 Background
Heavily cluttered or distracting backgrounds that draw attention away from the aircraft may be grounds for rejection at screener discretion.
3. Content Standards
3.1 Acceptable Subjects
Squawk Aviation Photos accepts civil, commercial, military, and historic fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
3.2 Aircraft Identification
The registration, type, or military serial must be identifiable either visually in the image or confirmed by the submitter. This can include nose gear numbers and/or registration numbers. Unidentifiable aircraft will be held pending clarification.
3.3 Duplicate Submissions
Near-identical images from the same shoot of the same aircraft will not be accepted. Only the strongest frame should be submitted.
3.4 Watermarks & Overlays
No watermarks, logos, borders, date stamps, or text overlays are permitted anywhere in the image. A watermark of the graphic within the logo is offered upon photo submission.
3.5 Post-Processing
Reasonable adjustments to exposure, contrast, color, and sharpness are permitted. Heavy-handed HDR, artificial backgrounds, composite images, or AI-generated content will be rejected.
3.6 Copyright
Submitters must be the original photographer and copyright holder. Screenshots from video, images copied from other websites, or scanned images from publications will be rejected.
4. Safety & Legal
4.1 Airside Photography
Images must have been taken from publicly accessible or authorised locations. Squawk Aviation Photos will not knowingly publish images taken from restricted airside areas without proper authorisation.
4.2 Sensitive Subjects
Images that could compromise aviation security or depict restricted military operations will not be accepted.
5. Screener Conduct
- Decisions must be based solely on these guidelines, applied consistently and without bias.
- When rejecting a submission, screeners must select the appropriate rejection reason(s) and may add a constructive note to assist the photographer.
- If a screener is uncertain, escalate to the Head Screener rather than making an arbitrary decision.
- Screeners must not approve their own submitted photographs.
- The Head Screener will make the final decision on any image that isn't clear cut.