The Nature Coast Bird and Wildlife Festival Photo Contest is an opportunity for photographers and enthusiasts to exhibit their work at a tri-county event. Photographers of all levels from Professional to Youth are encouraged to submit their outstanding images depicting Florida’s native birds and wildlife.
QUALIFYING PHOTOGRAPHS
Photographs must be of Florida native birds or other wildlife (mammals; reptiles; invertebrates; amphibians; or fish) in their native habitat (no captive animals such as in cages, zoos) or of people engaged in viewing wildlife in a natural setting (wilderness or park).
Judges will be looking for high impact images with consideration of technical merit: focus composition, and use of color and light.
Digital retouching is permissible but images which appear heavily manipulated or significantly altered will not be considered.
Entries may be disqualified for incomplete registration, late submittals, and images with digital content of non-native wildlife depicted.
IMAGE REQUIREMENTS
Images must be high resolution (8 megapixel or greater is recommended)
Prints must be a minimum size of 8” x 10”, no larger than 11” x 14” and mounted on foam board.
Each photograph must be labeled on the back of foam board with photographer’s name and title of photograph in legible print.
SUBMITTING A PHOTOGRAPH
Photographers may submit up to 3 photographs.
Registration of $5 per photograph is required. Payment may be in the form of cash or check made payable to: Wildlife Foundation of Florida. Please note in the check memo line (bottom left corner): Nature Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival
There will be no refunds after submittal.
Each photograph submitted by a photographer must be accompanied by a Photo Entry Form and Image Release signed by the photographer, and signed Model Release Form if applicable.
A digital copy of full resolution image on CD (jpg or tiff preferred- no raw files please). File name should be formatted as follows: Photo contest_Your Name_Image title.
Example- Photo contest_Jane Smith_Kestrel in Flight
Photographs taken using film are exempt from this requirement. Please indicate on Entry Form. If awarded first place the negative may be requested to assure quality reproduction.
Deadline for submission is no later than Friday, March 8, 2013 at 4:00 PM.
Entries may be mailed or delivered in person to:
Chinsegut Conservation Center
23212 Lake Lindsey Road
Brooksville, Florida 34601.
We are not responsible for any damaged or lost pictures sent through mail or other carrier. Chinsegut Conservation Center is open Fridays and Saturdays from 8 am – 2 pm. Please call to schedule an appointment to submit photographs on other days. No submittals accepted on Sundays.
USE OF PHOTOS
Photographs will be displayed at Chinsegut Conservation Center during the Nature Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival March 22 – 24, 2013
Prizes will be awarded in three categories: Professional, Amateur Adult, and Amateur Youth (18 and under). Winners will be announced Saturday.
The Nature Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival reserves the royalty-free and nonexclusive right to distribute, publish and use any photograph(s) submitted to the contest in publications, websites, banners, and billboards to promote the Nature Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival.
Participants have the option of picking up their print following the exhibition or can elect to donate it for display and use at the discretion of the Nature Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival, FWC or its partners and affiliates.
