We are holding a photographic contest! It's just for AMC members this year, but if it's a success we may open it up to a wider field next year. So take your camera out into the woods between now and the end of October and see what you can capture.
Here are the detailed rules:
Eligibility
The contest is open to all Asheville Mushroom Club (AMC) members who are not professional photographers. Non-members may compete if they pay membership dues ($18) before entering the competition.
Closing Date and Number of Entries:
All entries must be submitted before midnight, November 1, 2011. Limit of five entries per photographer. There is no entry fee.
Categories:
- Strictly Mushrooms
This division is for photos that illustrate the beauty and variety of fungi in form and color. The objective is a photo that would be suitable for display or illustration in a fine book.
- AMC Forays & Events
This includes group shots, photos of people with their finds, displays of a myriad of mushrooms found by group members, humorous and human interest shots, celebrating the fun of being in a group hunting mushrooms, learning about mushrooms, or enjoying the results.
- Scenery in Mushroom Country
Photos which do not fit into the categories above, such as scenery found in areas while looking for mushrooms: wildflowers, lichen, trees, clouds, or the aspects of this region that combine to form a nurturing environment for mushrooms.
Format
Entries must be submitted as digital JPG images. We recommend using the highest resolution your camera is capable of. Mail your photographs - one at a time - to competition director Rachel Bliss: blissingstoyou@gmail.com
Each image should be given a file name as follows:
- One digit for the category (1, 2, or 3)
- A dash (-)
- Title for photograph - 50 characters maximum. (In the “strictly mushroom” category, include the species name if possible; in the “forays & events” category, identify the event; in the “scenery” category identify the location)
- Another dash
- Date photograph taken: mm-dd-yy
Examples:
- 1-Boletus bicolor-07-23-10
- 2-Campfire at Cataloochee-07-29-11
- 3-Yellow Trillium at Big Creek-04-15-11
Do not include your name in the title. Only Rachel will know who submitted which photos until the winners are announced.
Awards
An independent panel of judges from the Asheville chapter of the Carolina Nature Photography Club will judge the photos. The judges will select first, second, and third in each category, and, among these, a grand prize winner (best of show). The judges may award “honorable mentions” to as many other photographs as they feel merit recognition.
Judging criteria will include both technical aspects - focus, depth of field, exposure, lighting, color, absence of distracting elements - and artistic aspects - composition, color, background, lighting. Preference will be given to photos taken in 2010 or 2011, and within 100 miles of Asheville (or on an AMC event at any distance). Identities of entrants will not be available to the judges.
The winning entries will be announced and displayed at the AMC Christmas Party in December. Prizes will be awarded, depending on the contest director's resourcefulness and the generosity of donors.
Reproduction
Entry in the contest constitutes the consent of the photographer to allow AMC to reproduce copies of images for circulation to the membership and affiliated societies and to post winning images on the AMC web pages. Finalists may be asked to provide signed permission from persons who are in their photos. All copyrights remain with the photographer.
Questions?
E-mail the Competition Director Rachael Bliss: blissingstoyou@gmail.com |
