13 Contest Categories for 2008

Photographs should be placed with the category that best suits the primary subject of the photograph, and must also follow the guidelines pertaining to a selected category. Many categories allow multiple types of subjects while some categories are very specific to the subject matter or type of photography. MyParkPhotos (MPP) retains the option, as stated in the contest rules, to change a photograph's category at anytime to a subject that best suits the photograph. The following guidelines should help you in determining the most appropriate category for your photographs to be judged alongside similar photographs in the monthly and yearly contests.

1) Architecture: Any man-made structure or object as the primary subject or focus of the photograph.
Members will often have a man-made structure of some type in their photograph, if it is the subject or main focus of the photograph, then regardless of other features, it should probably be placed in this category.
Other suitable categories: Black & White and Cover

2) Birds: If a bird or group of birds are the primary subject of the photograph, then it should be placed in this category.
Other suitable categories: Black & White, Cover, Close-Up, Events & Programs, Seasonal

3) Black & White: Black and white photos may be registered in any category, but only black and white, sepia and IR photos may be placed in the Black and White category. Due to the interest of keeping photographs as "natural" as possible, please place Sepia and IR photographs in this category or Cover category only.
Other suitable categories: Black & White photographs may be placed in any category

4) Close-Up: Any photograph that has been taken "close-up" to the primary subject of the photograph.

5) Events/Programs: Any photograph taken at an event or program held by property staff should be posted to this category to better promote the event or program. The primary subject may be of anything related to the event or program.

6) Flowers: If the primary subject of the photograph is a flower or group of flowers, then the photograph should be placed in this category.
Other suitable categories: Black & White, Close-Up, Cover, Seasonal and Waterscape (with reflection)

7) Landscape: "Grand or tiny, a landscape is not so much about the subject itself, but rather about the place in which the subject exists and the feeling the subject and place evokes." quote location The entire scene should grab the viewers attention and set a mood, not necessarily a single particular subject in the photograph. The photograph may either be in landscape or Portrait mode. Photographs depicting flowing water or water reflections should be placed in Waterscapes. Man-made objects should not be the primary subject of photographs placed into this category.

8) Plant life: If a leaf, plant or tree is the primary subject of the photograph, then it should be placed in this category. (Please do not place Flower photos into the Plant life category.)
Other suitable categories: Black & White, Cover, Close-Up, Events & Programs, Seasonal

9) Recreation: Any visitor recreating, now including camping, or an aspect of recreation available at a particular property as the primary subject of the photograph.

10) Portrait: Any visitor or property employee (rangers, etc) within the boundary of the property. Children should not be recognizable, or a parental consent form should be filled out and mailed in prior to registering the photo for the various POTD, POTM or POTY photo contests. This particular category may not be judged each month depending on a fair number of quality photographs registered. (Wildlife should not be placed into this category)

11) Seasonal: This category is open to all subjects, but should reflect the "current" season of the year. Various subjects for this category could be changing of the leaves in the Autumn or Fall, snow and ice scenes in the Winter, flowers and breeding plumage in birds in the Spring.

12) Sunset/Sunrise: There are various secondary subjects in sunrise and sunset photographs such as birds, lighthouses, people on beaches, but if the overriding primary subject is on the sunrise or sunset and not the secondary subject matter, then the photograph should be placed in this category.
Other suitable categories: Birds, Black & White, Cover, Landscape, Plant life, Waterscapes, Wildlife

13) Waterscape: If the photograph meets the same general guidelines as "Landscapes", but has moving water or a sharp reflection on water as it's primary subject, then the photograph should be placed in this category.  A high percentage of water would be a determining factor in placing the photograph in the Waterscape category instead of the Landscape category. Man-made objects should not be the primary subject of photographs placed into this category.

14) Wildlife: Any image of animals or insects as the primary subject of the photograph. (Please do not place Bird photos into the Wildlife category.)
Other suitable categories: Black & White, Cover, Close-Up, Events & Programs, Seasonal

Personal Photographs

Members may add personal photographs to their photo gallery by registering them through the newPersonal photo registration form.  These photographs are displayed only in the member's photo gallery and are not part of the POTD, POTM, POTY or Partner contests. Thank you for sharing interesting photographs from various aspects of your life and travels. Members should create personal Albums before entering personal photographs.