Think YOU have some great shots?

Don’t miss this opportunity to show your colleagues all the cool places you’ve been, what you’ve done, and your great photographs.

Your winning photographs may be used in a TWS publication. Shutterbugs are invited to “show their stuff” at the Annual Conference!

PHOTO CATEGORIES

• Flora (Stuff that photosynthesizes)
• Mammals (Warm and Fuzzy)
• Birds (Feathers and Beaks)
• Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Invertebrates (Slimy and Scaly)
• Landscapes and Still Life (Stuff that does not breathe)
• Human Dimensions (People and Wildlife, Education and Outreach, Urban Interface Challenges)
• Creative and Clever (Humorous or Composite/Artistically-altered Images*)

JUDGING

Professional and/or semi-professional photographers will evaluate entries based on image impact (message and feelings conveyed), clarity, color, contrast, composition, lighting, and photographic milieu. The judging session will be held Tuesday afternoon and is open to conference attendants. Anyone that would like to watch the judging process and hear the professional critiques of the photos is welcome to attend. Judges will award prizes by category, plus Best of Show, and each category will have an award for Peoples’ Choice. Judges will present awards and provide critiques of winning photos on Tuesday evening.

CONTEST RULES

• Entrant must be a conference registrant to submit a photo.
• Entries can be mailed, with entry fee (paid by check or money order), to the photo committee chair prior to the conference (see address below).  ALL MAILED ENTRIES MUST BE POSTED BY SEPTEMBER 3^RD, 2010. Mailed entries not posted by September 3^rd are not guaranteed submission.  Alternately, one may submit an “Intent to Participate” by submitting the registration form and payment by September 3^rd, 2010, yet bringing the photos to the event in person.
• Submitted photos must be accompanied by the Photo Contest Entry Form
• Entrants may register their photos on site on Saturday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., or Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Entry fee is $5.00 ($3.00 for students with a valid ID) per photo. If five or more entries are submitted, the fee is reduced to $4.00 ($2.00 for students) per photo.  
• A maximum of two prints per category may be entered (14 entries maximum). Cash and checks will be accepted during registration at the conference site. NO CREDIT CARDS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
• Entrant must have taken the photo(s) and have all rights to its/their distribution and use.
• Entries cannot include photos submitted to a previous TWS conference.
• Entrants MUST submit an electronic version (jpeg format, min. 300 dpi), along with the print to facilitate possible future publication of winning photos. Please bring electronic version on a CD labeled with registrant’s name and all photo titles with your submission.
• Velcro tabs will be attached to the back of the mat/mount, and a removable sticker to the front matting of each print.
• By submitting your photo(s), you agree to allow TWS to publish the image(s) in future TWS print and online materials.
• Although the photography contest booth will be staffed, TWS cannot guarantee the security of your photo(s).
• This year, we are asking that willing participants donate their pictures for sale to TWS registrants after the contest.  If you are willing to donate your submissions, please indicate your intention in the entry form.  Proceeds of the sale will be used to support the purchase of awards and judging fees in future TWS photo contest.

Photo Formatting Rules

• Images must be black & white or color prints, 8” x 10” in size, captured with a digital or film camera.
• Entries must be mounted on a stiff backing with 11’’ x 14’’ matting. Mounted/mat size must not exceed 11”x 14.” No framed prints, please.
• Any text that is not part of the original photo must be completely covered.
• Entries must be labeled on the back with: 1) category, and 2) entrant’s name, address, phone number, and e- mail if available.
• All photo submissions that do not conform to formatting rules, including un-mounted or un-matted entries may be accepted for submission in a catch-all category.

Photo Category Rules

• Images that have been enhanced by removing scratches or dust, or by making slight alterations that have traditionally been made by filters or in the printing process* may be entered in any category.
• Images that have been extensively altered by double exposure; assembly from two or more images; removal of obstructions or other significant parts; addition, subtraction, or duplication of elements within the image; or other alterations* must be entered in the CREATIVE AND CLEVER category.
• Images of captive/captured animals or propagated plants may be entered in any category, but the entry form and label must clearly indicate the subject matter as such.*

Photo Contest Judging

• Conference attendees will have until 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday to cast their votes for Peoples’ Choice winners.
• Winning entries will be announced Tuesday at the Photo Contest Awards & Critique, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Winning entries will be displayed until 12:00 p.m. Wednesday. All photos donated for sale will be available on a “first come” basis after the photo contest concludes through the end of the conference.
• All photographs and prizes must be claimed by 2:00 p.m. Wednesday. Those photographs not claimed will be assumed donated for future sale by the TWS Photo Contest Committee.

Still have unanswered questions about this contest? Questions may be addressed to Nicki Frey ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or 435.586.1924.

If entries are mailed in to the photo contest committee prior to the contest, they must be posted no later than September 3, 2010 at the following address. Alternately, one may submit an “Intent to Participate” by submitting the registration form and payment by September 3, 2010, yet bringing the photos to the event in person. Submit the entries to:

Nicki Frey
RE: Photo Contest
c/o Biology Dept, SUU
351 West Center
Cedar City, UT 84720

* For further information on wild vs. captive or artistically-altered images, see the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) standards for truth in captioning

NOTE: All photos should be taken in adherence to NANPA Principles of Ethical Field Practices

We encourage images with some connection to the conservation of biota in any appropriate category. For inspiration, check out the websites from the International League of Conservation Photographers