Printable Instructions and forms

The nature photography contest is sponsored by the Friends of Brazoria Wildlife Refuges and the Texas Mid-coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex and is a program of the Migration Celebration scheduled for April 21-22, 2012 with banquet on April 13.

The youth division is open to children under 18. Depending upon the number of entries, two divisions may be created: children 12 and under, and children 13 to 17.

Categories

Wildlife of Texas Mid-coast

Wildlife of Texas Mid-coast Images of wild mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects, mollusks, crustaceans, arthropods, or other invertebrate taken in the following counties: Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Jackson, Matagorda, & Wharton. (Does not include photos of birds; use “Birds of Texas Mid-Coast.”)

Birds of Texas Mid-coast

Images taken of birds in their natural habitat within Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston,
Jackson, Matagorda, & Wharton counties.

Plant Life of Texas Mid-coast

Images taken of flowers, trees, and other flora in their natural habitat within Brazoria,
Fort Bend, Galveston, Jackson, Matagorda,& Wharton counties.

Nature Landscapes of Texas Mid-Coast

Scenic images and landscapes showing area habitats taken in the following counties: Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Jackson, Matagorda, & Wharton. Of particular interest are critical, threatened, or protected habitats such as the Columbia Bottomlands.

Awards

Winning photographs will be announced Friday, April 15th at the Migration Celebration kickoff dinner and winning photos will be on display at the Migration Celebration, San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge, April 16-17.

Winning entries are awarded ribbons as follows:

• Best of Show
  
  
• Each Contest Category
  First place, second place, third place, and honorable mentions.
  
  
• Best Refuge Photos Awards
  The sponsors of the Migration Celebration Nature Photography Contest have special interest in showcasing the wildlife, plant life, and natural beauty of the refuges of the Texas Mid-Coast National Wildlife Refuge. Depending upon number of entries, photos taken at Brazoria, San Bernard, or Big Boggy refuges or other Texas Mid-coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex units may also be recognized.

Additional merchandise prizes may also be awarded. Ribbons and prizes may be picked up anytime beginning at the Migration Celebration on Saturday or Sunday (but the number of awards may be reduced depending upon the number of entries).

Contest Rules

1. A completed entry form signed by a parent or guardian must be received by the contest deadline. 

2. Only the digital camera jpeg files for entered photos are entered and must be received by the deadline, either on a CD or DVD accompanying prints or e-mailed to photocontest@migrationcelebraton.org. File names for submitted prints must be written in the appropriate space on the entry form. Renaming file names in the format of last name first name and title will make file handling easier. If e-mailing files, do not attach more than 25 megabytes of files in one e-mail and make sure you clearly indicate in the e-mail title that it is a photo contest submission. If one’s digital camera records in a format other than jpeg or if software is used to crop or correct photo, save the file as a jpeg with as little compression as possible. TIFF files are also acceptable. If submitted photos were taken with emulsion film, create a digital file by scanning your print at a resolution of at least 300 dpi. If assistance is needed in providing jpeg files, please contact contest coordinator.

3. Entrants are limited to a total of six (6) entries and no more than three (3) entries per category. Each photo must have a name or title recorded on the entry form.

4. Photos must be free of anything written on the print or digitally imprinted on the photo (such as date stamps). 

5. Digital Alternations: All photographs should accurately reflect the subject matter and the scene as it appeared. Photos that have been digitally altered beyond standard optimization will be disqualified. Acceptable are adjustments to color, contrast, brightness and sharpness; removal of dust and scratches; cropping; black and white conversions; and use of HDMI (high dynamic range imaging). Not acceptable are photo composites (combination of two or more photos, not of the same scene); the addition, duplication, deletion or moving of objects in the photos; or the use of artistic digital filters and effects. Examples of not accepted artistic filters and effects are watercolor, neon glow, posterizing, stained glass, and others which do not show the scene in its natural way.

6. Date of Photos: Only original photographs taken by the entrant since January 1, 2011 may be submitted..

7.  Contest Deadline: Entries must be received no later than Friday March 30, by 4 P.M

8. Submission of entries: Drop off or mail entry forms and photo CDs/DVDs to either of the two locations listed below. Individuals at these two locations cannot answer questions about the contest.

9. Use of Photos: By entering photos in the Migration Celebration photo contest, entrants grant Friends of Brazoria Wildlife Refuges or Texas Mid-Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex royalty-free and non-exclusive right to use with full credit given to the photographer, as follows: (i) on Migration Celebration, Friends, or refuge publications, websites, display panels, or promotional products, (ii) in promoting the Migration Celebration photo contest, and (iii) for display at refuge facilities. Entrants waive the right to inspect or approve the final use of their “photographs” by the entities and for the uses stated above. Additional permission will be requested for using photographs for purposes other than listed above. Submitted photos may also be printed and placed on display as part of a nature photography exhibit at the Brazosport Art League gallery later in 2012.

Privacy Statement

Address, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses collected on the contest entry form will be used only for purposes related to the photo contest and for contacting photographers about use of photos.

Printable PDF forms:

• Official Contest Rules and Guidelines, Youth Division
• Contest Entry Form, Youth Division
• Contest Entry Form, Youth Division  - Digital fill in version
       (Type in information and then print)