MASTERS OF ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE

“Whatever the mind can Conceive and Believe, it can Achieve”
– Napoleon Hill –

>>> IMPORTANT NOTE to our Valued *Customers / Buyers / Collectors and Members: <<<

A Very Warm Welcome:
This Group has been created with special consideration for you.
We aim to showcase only the finest in Ultra High-Definition+ (4K to 8K+) Images and Art, while delivering an Exceptional, World-Class experience for you; and saving you precious time.

>>> IMPORTANT NOTE to potential New Members: <<<

NB: ONLY those who Exceed the Minimum Requirements of Sections 4 and 6, will be considered; up to a Maximum Limit of Members (TBD).

Please take Special Note of the following Important Paragraph: 3.1; and Entire Sections: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9.


1. MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to unite a prestigious community of highly experienced artists and photographers, dedicated to fostering an environment of mutual respect, extraordinary quality, and shared success. We aim to showcase only the finest in ultra high-definition+ images and art, while delivering an exceptional, world-class experience for our valued *customers / buyers.
By leveraging our extensive, combined expertise and experience, we aim to facilitate meaningful connections, drive and maximize innovative business opportunities, and ensure win-win outcomes for all stakeholders involved.


2. COMBINED MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS SUMMARY
--- (For **Initial Members: Updated Regularly) ---

2.1 >> 163+ Years of Combined Experience
2.2 >> 18 673+ Followers
2.3 >> 45.7+ Million Visitors


3. CORE VALUES AND GOALS

3.1 Exclusive Membership
This is Primarily an Invitation-Based, Exclusive Group of Highly Experienced and Talented Artists and Photographers. See Minimum Membership Requirements below.

3.2 Curated Excellence
Utilize our Extensive Combined Experience to evaluate and create a Top Selection of the Best and Highest Quality Images and Artworks, from our Valued Members.

3.3 Accessible Showcase
Showcase the above Curated Top Selection for easy access by our *Customers / Buyers.

3.4 Customer-Focused Experience
Provide a User-Friendly and Fast System for our Valued *Customers, to easily find and browse the above Top Selection, saving them precious time while providing Maximum Quality.

3.5 Culture of Respect and Professionalism
Foster Mutual Respect, Full Mutual Support, and Participation in all our Group and related activities. This includes Mutual Respect of our Valued *Customers, our Valued Hosts (FAA Management) and our Valued Members. In addition, we strive for Professionalism in everything we do.

3.6 Win-Win Outcomes
Create Win-Win and Triple-Win outcomes for all relevant parties: Our Valued *Customers, our Valued Hosts, and our Valued Members.

3.7 Constructive Collaboration
Leverage our Extensive Combined Experience to provide Constructive Suggestions to our Valued Hosts, for potential improvements, to boost business opportunities, ease of use, and similar.

3.8 Quality Assurance
Showcase Only the “Best of the Best” Ultra High-Definition+ (UHD+: 4K to 8K+) Images, thereby providing a Top Quality, Fast, Easy, 1-Stop Solution for our Valued *Customers.

3.9 Business Principles
Apply Established and Sound Business and Marketing Principles to ensure maximum benefit for all stakeholders.

* Customers / Clients / Buyers / Collectors


4. MINIMUM MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

At Least 1 of the Following (Item 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3):

4.1 At Least 10 Years of Combined Active Experience
- In your field of Expertise (E.g. Photography, Digital Art, AI, Painting).
- At Least 2 fields of Expertise will normally be required.
- In some cases, exceptions can be made: See e.g. below. These will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
- E.g. 1 field of Expertise, with 1 Million+ Visitors; or with 20+ Years of Active Experience; or meeting 2 of the 3 Criteria:
(i.e. Item 4.1, 4.2, 4.3).

4.2 ~ At Least 10 000 Followers

4.3 ~ At Least 500 000 Visitors

4.4 ~ Note: Above statistics can be FAA or Best of ***Relevant Social Media (SM)
- FAA statistics are confirmed from relevant home pages.
- Proof is required for SM (Screen Shots with Full Name & statistics).
- ***Relevant Social Media: i.e. SM platform used specifically for relevant Images.

4.5 This is Primarily an Invitation-Based Group.

4.6 Qualifying Members will be invited to submit their 30 (+-) All-Time Best Images or Artworks (As a Collection). Relevant Categories / Themes will be communicated. Note: Excluding any Extreme Abstract Artworks (See Note at Bottom).
These will then be evaluated by me, to confirm that they meet all relevant Requirements for Images (See below). The Best of these will be selected (Up to 10 each). Rest assured that this will be done in a professional manner, with the backing of more than 35 years of combined experience in Photography and Digital Art.

4.7 Allowance is made for New Member Applications (See par. 5.4 below).

4.8 One of the main purposes of this Group is to set a High Bar, and associated Very High Standards, as set out in this document; in order to unite a prestigious community of highly experienced artists and photographers; while delivering a World-Class experience for our Valued *Customers / Buyers; as per our Mission and Core Values.
The main focus will be on Quality, not quantity.

4.9 In order to be part of this Group, and retain Membership, Members are required to adhere to our Mission, Core Values and all the other general requirements, as set out in this document. NB: Participation in all our Group and related activities, 2-way Communication and Mutual Support are all Essential (See par. 3.5).

4.10 Furthermore, in order to maintain the above High Standards, and as Founder and Main Administrator of this Group, I retain the right to either accept or reject any Image or Artwork, as deemed necessary. This should Not be taken personally. Please take note that the same principle applies to Membership; with reference to par. 4.9; and entire Section 9.

4.11 At the same time, I need to stress the fact that all Members and potential Members invited by me, have been carefully selected, and I have the utmost Respect for the many years of Devotion each one of you has invested, to constantly improve your Skills; as well as the World-Class Portfolio of images and artwork, each of you has produced.


5. CORE GROUP AND INITIAL PROCESS

5.1 After the initial group of Invited Members and their first Images have been approved, and an evaluation period has passed, a selection of these Members will be invited to form the “Core Group” (CG). This will be communicated. The role of the CG will be further developed and discussed later, but they will play an important part in this Group, and have a lot of input in terms of the future direction we decide to steer this Group. Note: Going forward, some additional new Members may be invited to join the CG, from time to time.

5.2 The first Contest (Members Only) will be arranged. This will allow each of the participating members of the Jury to vote for the Best Approved Images of all other participating Members. Entrance to the Contest will primarily be based on Pre-Approved Group images. This process and relevant Voting Rules will allow each Member to find the “Pecking Order” of his / her Best Images; as determined by the above Jury / Panel of Highly Experienced and Talented Artists and Photographers. This will also include the process of determining the overall standings of relevant entries.

5.3 Thereafter we will follow a process of each Member submitting their next All-time Best Images or Artworks, for each of a list of various interesting and Market-related Categories. The number of allowable images for each, will be communicated. The same process as above, will be followed. For each Category, a Contest will be held, with steps as outlined in par. 5.2 above.

5.4 Allowance is made for New Member Applications. E.g. After the above steps have been completed (Up to par. 5.2 and some of 5.3), the CG will be allowed to make some recommendations for new Members, provided that they meet All the Minimum Membership Requirements.
A number of such potential new Members will be evaluated, from time to time, on an “As and when available” basis.


6. MINIMUM IMAGE REQUIREMENTS

6.1 Ultra High Definition (UHD / 4K) Images: See details below.

6.2 Minimum Image Resolution and Pixel Sizes:
4K (UHD); 8.3 MP; [16:9] 3840 x 2160; [1:1] 2880 x 2880; [3:2] 3525 x 2350; Or equivalent.

6.3 Recommended Image Resolution and Pixel Sizes:
8K ; 33.2 MP; [16:9] 7680 x 4320; [1:1] 5760 x 5760; [3:2] (+/-) 7070 x 4713; Or equivalent.

6.4 NB Note: 4K Images are the Minimum Required for acceptance into the Group.
If necessary, I will provide guidance and support to relevant Invited Members, to achieve these Minimum requirements.

6.5 8K Images are Recommended (But Not Required).
There are many advantages to providing 7K to 8K Images (To be discussed with the CG).

6.6 Typical Criteria for judging International Photographic Competitions (To be applied):
(a) Technical Excellence (See details below);
(b) Impact & Emotional Response;
(c) Creativity; (d) Storytelling

6.7 Top Quality Technical Excellence:
(a) Professional Composition; (b) Sharp Focus (Main subject), Clarity & Details;
(c) Professional Color Balance, Saturation, Lighting & Levels;
(d) No Excessive Processing; (e) No Visible Pixelation / Graininess / Noise.


7. ACCEPTABLE MEDIUMS

7.1 Photography; 7.2 Digital Art & AI; 7.3 Painting & Traditional


8. ACCEPTABLE IMAGE CATEGORIES / THEMES (E.G.)

8.1 Flowers & Landscapes
8.2 Animals
8.3 People
8.4 Natural world in general; etc.
8.5 The above list will be the primary base, but it is not exhaustive.

NB: Extreme Abstract Artworks are Excluded (See Note 1 at Bottom).


9. EXCLUSIONS

This Group will have a Zero Tolerance approach on the following list of Specific Exclusions:

9.1 Any form of Violence, Hate or Cruelty, whether Written, Depicted, Art or other.
9.2 Any form of Political Statements, Agendas, Figures, etc.
9.3 Any form of Explicit Nudity.
9.4 Any form of Discrimination, whether Gender, Race based or other.
9.5 Any form of Celebrity depictions, local or international.
9.6 Any form of Art / Image deemed as Demonic, Sinister or Evil.
9.7 Any form of Art / Image with Blood, Gore or Clearly Negative.

NB: Any form of Negative / Hostile / Unkind / Similar Comments, Discussions, Acts, etc. directed at Any other Member, or at the Group, or in general, shall Constitute a Direct Violation of our Mission, Core Values & Goals. This could (and most probably would) result in the Immediate Cancellation of Membership, of the relevant Member.
I Sincerely Trust and Hope that this will Never be necessary!


10. JURY / PANEL OF JUDGES

The Core Group (CG) will potentially have the option to serve as a Jury / Panel of Judges for other Contests and Exhibitions (Internal & External), upon request. Details to be discussed with the CG.


11. THE WAY FORWARD …

All the above information was created; in order to serve as a solid foundation, to get this new Group off to a running start. There are more Exciting additions to follow; including, but not limited to, Specific Strategies to Boost Marketing and Business opportunities for All stakeholders.
Once again: I Value and Respect all your Vast levels of Experience, Skills, Devotion and Expertise.
To the Core Group: You will have special privileges, and your inputs will play an important part to assist with the process of developing and optimizing this Group, for Maximum Success!

'As you Give, so you Shall Receive'
– Universal Law –

NOTE 1: This Group currently Excludes any Extreme Abstract Artworks (E.g. Totally random colors, shapes, etc.). However, more general Abstract Artworks would be considered, e.g. more geometric patterns, shapes, etc. These will be evaluated on a “case by case” basis.

NOTE 2: As this is a new Group, please take note that we will be in a developmental phase for some time, making changes and improvements, as required. Please be patient, considerate and supportive, while together we build this Amazing new Group, with Unlimited Potential !


***** Thank you so much for your visit and interaction with our Group. *****

***** We Sincerely Appreciate and Respect each one of you! *****


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Copyright © JD CILLIERS 2025 | All Rights Reserved | No Duplication Allowed :

NB: All the Information, Systems, Procedures, Layout, Principles, Concepts, etc. as listed above; and relevant references, are protected by USA and International Copyright Laws. None of the above may be copied, published, reproduced in any fashion, or used on the internet, or in Any way, without the express written permission of the above Copyright Owner.
All Images and Artworks displayed in this Group, and in relevant Links, are originals by the respective Copyright Owners and as such are protected by USA and International copyright laws. None of these Images or Artworks may be copied, published, reproduced in any fashion, or used on the internet, or in Any way other than displaying relevant original purchased products, without the express written permission of the relevant Copyright Owner/s.

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** Initial Group of Members