NC Aquarium Photo Contest
Underwater photographers get a shot at winning prizes

Posted Friday, June 17, 2005

 
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The North Carolina Aquariums are looking for your best shots. Each year, the state’s three public aquariums get together to conduct an Underwater Photography competition. The contest is designed especially for amateur and non-professional photographers and no entry fee is required. Deadline for this year’s entries is December 31, 2005. Winners will be announced on or before March 31, 2006. Now in its fifth year, the contest is sponsored by East Carolina Bank.

The aquariums stage the underwater photo contest to highlight the state’s rich aquatic resources and to recognize excellence in amateur photography. Employees of the N.C. Aquariums and their immediate families are not eligible. Photos taken by aquarium volunteers while on duty are not eligible. Photos will not be returned.

Cash prizes are awarded in each of three categories: first place $500; second place $200; third place $100; honorable mention $50. Winners at all levels receive certificates. W inning photos will be published in the Summer 2006 edition of “Aquarium News,” the magazine of the North Carolina Aquarium Society.

James C. Smith of Duncansville, Penn., took first place in the 2004 Underwater Open category with his shot of an octopus. Smith got the shot in 95 feet of water while diving on the U-352 wreck off Beaufort Inlet.

Photographers may submit up to three 35mm slides, prints, or digital images in each of three categories: 1) Underwater Open, which may include wide-angle shots of shipwrecks or other North Carolina underwater scenes; 2) Underwater Animal Close-ups (macro); and 3) Aquatic Life in the NC Aquariums, which may feature any animal or group of animals displayed at any of the three North Carolina Aquariums.

Entries by divers must be taken in the waters off North Carolina, or within the state’s freshwater systems. The category, “Aquatic Life in the NC Aquariums,” allows non-divers to submit photos that capture the beauty and diversity of North Carolina’s aquatic life as displayed in exhibits at any of the three N.C. Aquariums.

Digital photos must be submitted on CD-ROM. E-mailed entries cannot be accepted. Digital entries must be high resolution JPEGS or TIFFS, at least 5 by 7 inches at 300 dpi. Higher resolutions and/or larger sizes are strongly encouraged.

Print photos must be 5 by 7 inches, or 8 by 10 inches. Prints should be on photo-quality paper. Framed photos cannot be accepted.

Each slide, print, or digital entry must be accompanied by an entry application that includes the photographer’s name, address and phone number, plus details about the photograph: identification of species shown (if known), name of the aquarium exhibit, underwater dive site or wreck, and the depth at which the underwater photo was taken.

It is the responsibility of the photographer to obtain written permission for use from any person who appears in a photographic entry. Minors, under age 18, must be represented by the signature of a parent or legal guardian.

Photographs will be judged by a panel of professional photographers and marine scientists. Winners will be selected on the basis of creativity, proficiency in photography skills, and representation of North Carolina’s aquatic organisms and habitats. All entered photographs become property of the North Carolina Aquariums and may be used without further compensation for a variety of purposes including, but not limited to, exhibit graphics, promotional brochures, calendars, educational publications, website graphics and other print and electronic media. Photographers will be credited in such uses whenever possible.

For complete contest rules and entry application, or to view last year’s winning entries, visit www.ncaquariums.com. Mail entries to Photo Contest, North Carolina Aquariums, 417 North Blount Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. All mailed entries must be postmarked by December 31, 2005, to be eligible. For details visit: http://www.ncaquariums.com