Photo Contest
Contact: Andrew Cox (wacox@mail.mizzou.edu)
Organizers: Melissa Blundell, Michelle Rogne, Stephanie Wright, Andrew Cox
Date: Displayed throughout the meeting, judging ends Wednesday ~5:00 pm
Location: Exhibit Hall
Cost: Free ($1 donation strongly suggested to help provide great prizes), advance sign-up is required
Photographs depicting birds by amateur and professional photographers will be on display throughout the meeting in the Exhibit Hall. Contest entries will be available for judging by conference participants 8:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, and 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. on Tuesday (including at Poster reception). Winners in four categories will be announced at the closing banquet on Thursday, 11 February, and prizes must be picked up by 10:00 p.m. that night.
Update: Please submit photos by 24 January 2010.
Are you an amateur or aspiring photographer? Never leave home without your camera? Have you captured some great moments on film? Then you should participate in the upcoming photo contest that is open to all conference attendees!
Photography Categories
The main focus of the photo should be birds.
- Bound Birds (captive or restrained birds, including birds in hand)
- Wild Wings (including birds in flight, foraging, perching birds, etc.)
- Nests and Nestlings
- Creative and Clever (extensively altered photos including: double exposure, additions / subtractions / duplications of significant parts of the images, joining of two images, etc.)
Judging
Entries will be evaluated by… you! Each conference attendee will be allowed to vote once per category. Voting will be based on the honor system. Voting ballots and submission boxes will be located next to photography exhibits. Items to fill out on a voting ballot include: photo #, title, and category. These will then be placed in “voting boxes” by ballot stations. The number of ballots will be calculated for each category and prizes will be awarded to photos with the most votes.
Winners of the photo contest will be announced at the closing banquet.
Note: ballot boxes will close ~24 hrs before the banquet to provide time to tally votes.
Prizes
The number of prizes awarded per category will be based on available prizes. The minimum number of winners per category is one. We strongly suggest, and would greatly appreciate, a donation of $1 per photo submitted. All donations will be used to purchase prizes. This will allow us to offset the cost of purchasing a grand prize per category! Donations can be submitted to cashiers at the registration desk when you pick up your registration packet.
Contest Rules
Entrant Rules
- Entrant must be a registered conference attendee to submit a photo.
- Entrants must sign up in advance with Andrew Cox (wacox@mail.mizzou.edu) by 24 January with the following information:
- Name / Affiliation (university or agency)
- Phone Number / Email Address
- Photo title and category (see above for categories). If submitting more than one photo, rank your photos (1 – first choice, 2 – second choice, 5 – fifth choice). In the event that we only have enough space for one photo per person we will select your first choice. Please note, your photo title is not set in stone. You will fill out the name for your photo when you arrive. However, we would like a general idea of how many photos are going to be submitted per category.
- Whether you plan to attend the closing banquet on the evening of Thursday, 11 February.
- (Optional) A digital copy of photo (potential use in a slideshow at the banquet). Please note, digital copies of photos will only be used for conference purposes. The total size of all e-mail attachments must not exceed 25MB.
Remember even if you submit a digital photo you will need to bring a printed photo with you to the conference.
- Each entrant will be allowed a maximum of 5 photos submissions (regardless of categories).
- Entrant must have taken the photo(s) and hold all rights to its/their distribution and use.
Photo Rules and Regulations
- Images from either digital or film cameras are OK.
- Photos enhanced by slightly altering images to remove dust or scratches or alterations traditionally made by filters or in the printing process may be entered in any category listed. Acceptable alterations also include cropping and color/contrast adjustments.
- Photos considerably altered (e.g., double exposure, additions/subtractions/duplications of significant parts of the image) must be entered in the “Creative and Clever” category If you are unsure if your photo falls under this rule please don’t hesitate to ask us!
- Images must be brought to the conference as black & white or color prints (no negative images).
- Photo size is limited to 11” x 14” (please try to submit photos larger than 3” x 5”)
- Push pins, map pins, and T- pins will be provided to hang photos.
- Photos can be bare (hung by pins in photo), mounted (e.g., foam core) or matted. Mounted/mat size must not exceed 11” x 14”. Framed prints will be accepted but must have back claps/hangers that can be hung on pushpins.
- Images of captured/captive birds must be submitted under the “Bound Birds” category.
- The photo contest will begin Monday, 8 February and end the evening of Wednesday, 10 February. Photos will be located in the exhibit hall and although exhibitors and attendees will be present, we cannot guarantee the security of your photo(s).
- Photos can be mounted onto the display boards as of Sunday afternoon and must be removed by the end of the day on Thursday. Unclaimed photographs will not be returned, unless a postage-paid, self-addressed envelope is provided.
Judges/Prizes
- All conference attendees will have until ~5:00 pm on Wednesday, 10 February to cast their votes.
- Winners will be announced at the banquet on Thursday, 11 February. Although winners need not be present, prizes must be claimed by 10:00 pm on Thursday evening (directly after the banquet), unless previous arrangements have been made with Andrew Cox (wacox@mail.mizzou.edu).
Donation
- In order to offset costs of prizes, a donation of $1 per photo submitted is strongly encouraged and would be greatly appreciated. This can be paid to the cashier at the registration desk. Please specify that it is for the photo contest.
FAQ
Q: What should I expect after I submit my photos to Andrew?
A: Besides a feeling of joy, you should expect a reply that confirms you have signed up for the photo contest. Each accepted entrant will receive a slip of paper in their registration folders (one per photo accepted) which will provide space for you to write down:
- Your Name / E-mail
- Photo Title,
- Photo Category,
- Species Common Name
- Your status: Professional or Amateur Photographer
- Whether you are open to sharing this photo for scientific presentations. If so, individuals wishing to use your photos may contact you by e-mail.
Your entrant ID will already be filled out on this slip of paper. You will then take this paper and your photo to the exhibit hall where signs will guide you to the photo contest poster boards. Pin the paper next to your photo on the appropriate board.
Q: How will I know which one of my photos has been accepted?
A: Until we know how many entries are submitted we will only accept your first choice photo. As we finalize our space availability and if we determine there is room to accept more photos we will contact you to let you know we can accept your second/third/etc. entries.
Q: How many total photos will be accepted for the photo contest?
A: Currently, we expect to accept a total of 430 photos. This number may increase if more space becomes available.
Additional Questions? Please e-mail Andrew Cox (wacox@mail.mizzou.edu).