2008 Annual Photo Contest

Eligibility

The contest is open to all paid-up NAMA members. Non-members may enter if a separate check for 2005 dues ($35.00) is enclosed with the entry. Slides that have previously won (including Honorable mention) are not eligible. Closing Date: All entries must be received by the Contest Director(s) on or before June 22, 2008 (date extended). Allow at least one week for mailing.

Subject material

For Pictorial and Documentary, organisms from the Myxomycota (slime molds) and the classes Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes of the Eumycota ("true fungi") are eligible. For Judge's Option, nearly anything goes, so long as the theme relates to fungi, and fungi are a key element of the photograph.

Entry Divisions

Pictorial

This division is for single photos that illustrate the beauty and variety of fungi in form and color. The objective is a photo suitable for display or illustration in a fine book. Judging criteria include consideration of both technical (focus, depth of field, exposure, lighting, color, absence of distracting elements) and artistic (composition, color, background, lighting) aspects.

Documentary

For single photographs especially suited as illustrations in a field guide or monograph, or for use in a lecture. Emphasis is placed on portrayal of key morphological characteristics such that the usefulness of the image as an identification aid is maximized. Subjects may be shot in the field, laboratory or studio and the photographer has complete freedom to process, manipulate, or orient the specimen in any desired manner to achieve the goal. Close-ups of single features and photomicrographs are acceptable. Judging criteria will be the same as in the Pictorial category but they will be of secondary importance to the overall mycological utility of the photo. Accurate identification of the subject will be a consideration.

Judge's Option

For single photos or series which do not fit into the Pictorial or Documentary divisions. Examples include time-lapse series, ecological relationships of fungi (e.g. fairy rings), fungi with animals, people enjoying fungi.

Entrant Classifications

Limited or Open classification

Open is intended for experienced photographers who are not entering for the first time and Limited is intended for the novice. All entries from a person must be in either Limited or Open: no dual classification entrants. Entrants must compete in the Open class if they have won 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or Merit in two or more previous contests. The two classifications are judged separately for the Pictorial and Documentary divisions, and together for the Judge's Option.

Other Information

Awards

First, 2nd, and 3rd prizes will be awarded in Pictorial and Documentary in both Limited and Open classifications. Additional Honorable Mention awards are given at the judges' discretion up to a maximum of 15% of the entries in that particular category. There will be no ranking in the Judges' Option division and up to 20% of the entries may be selected. Prizes such as film, subscriptions, books, certificates, etc. are awarded, depending on the contest director's resourcefulness and the generosity of donors.

Format

Send color transparencies of any size that will fit into two inch square plastic or cardboard mounts that function in a standard 80-slide carousel. Glass mounts will not be accepted. Slides may be cropped, retouched or otherwise reprocessed.

Marking, Listing and Submitting Slides

Mark each slide with a projection spot at the lower left corner of the mount when viewed right-side up out of the projector. The same side should include the entrant's initials, division initials and slide number (e.g. OQ K-P-1), Use 1a, 1b, 1c, etc. for sequences. Fill out and submit the Entry Form along with your slides. Send first class mail. Acknowledgement of receipt will be sent to you. If possible, arrange your packaging so that it can be reused in returning your slides.

Marking, Listing and Submitting Digitals

What information do you want included in the digital photo's filename? If your computer program will permit, we like to have at least these 3 things in your filenames: D (for Documentary) JO (for Judges Option) or P (for Pictorial), and the photographer's initials in 3 spaces, followed by the Genus and species of the fungus or myxomycete if you can identify it, and your title for the photo, (unless it is the same as the previous) and, of course, the file extension. If you have enough space for your full name, the entry number etc., or you wish to include other info, that is a bonus, but not required.

Entry Fee

The entry fee for slides is $4.00. The entry fee for the digital contest is $4.00

Reproduction

Entry in the contest constitutes the consent of the photographer to allow NAMA to reproduce copies of each winning slide or digital (including Honorable mention etc.) for circulation by the Education Committee among the membership and affiliated societies. NAMA also reserves the right to post images of the winning slides or digitals on the NAMA web pages and in the Mycophile. All copyrights remain with the photographer.

Questions?

Contact the Chair of the NAMA Photo Committee:

Entry Form

To enter, use this Word entry form or this pdf entry form.