PDI (Projected Digital Image) competitions have quietly become the dominant format at UK camera clubs — cheaper for members, easier to store, faster to judge. But they come with their own set of gotchas. Here's the complete rundown.
What image size should members submit?
The most widely-adopted standard is 1600 pixels wide by 1200 pixels tall, sRGB, JPEG. This matches the native resolution of most club projectors and works well for federation battles. Some clubs go to 1920 × 1200 if their projector supports it.
What colour space should digital images use?
sRGB, always. Anything else (Adobe RGB, ProPhoto) will look washed out or over-saturated on a projector, which uses sRGB regardless of what the image contains.
How do I rename image files?
Naming conventions vary, but the safest pattern is:
PhotographerCode_ImageTitle.jpg
Example: JS01_Winter_Lane.jpg. Underscores instead of spaces (some projection software chokes on spaces). Keep titles short — long titles overflow on the projected slide.
How do I prepare images for projection?
The three-step recipe every experienced PDI secretary follows:
- Resize to the club's standard (e.g. 1600 × 1200).
- Convert to sRGB.
- Export as JPEG at quality 90–95%.
Lightroom users: save a preset. Photoshop users: use Image → Automate → Batch. Get this scripted or you'll spend an evening per competition doing it by hand.
What's the best software for digital image competitions?
For projection: dedicated tools like DiCentra or PicaJET project images in sequence and hide filenames from the audience.
For scoring, results, and season league tables: Camera Club Score — it doesn't project images itself (that's what your projection software is for), but it handles everything after the score is called.
How do we organise PDI competitions?
Standard workflow: members submit files by email or through a shared drop-folder → PDI secretary batches into a running order → projection software queues them → live scoring in Camera Club Score → results are live before members leave the hall.
Try Camera Club Score free for 30 days and see how it fits your next PDI round.