- The competition is open to all photographers.
- Photos must be taken by the entrant and within the
boundaries of the Jordan River Watershed area and may depict any
aspect of the environment, plants, animals, scenery, activities,
any season.
- Enter an unmatted 8x10 print. Paper should be 8.5x11
inches or larger.
- A $5.00 Entry fee and completed entry form must accompany
each entry. Under age 18 may enter up to 2 photographs for free.
There is no limit to the number of entries you may submit. All
proceeds will be used to support the activities of the
organization.
- Entries must be received by __________ .
- Awards will be presented at an event generally scheduled for the 3rd Saturday in September at the Jordan River Watershed Center 101 Union St. East Jordan.
- Prizes will be awarded -
Proceeds support activities of The Friends of the Jordan River Watershed, Inc. Contributions to The Friends of the Jordan River Watershed, Inc. are deductible under section 501 (c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to enter?
Any photographer, amateur or professional, adults and children are invited to enter the contest. Since all entries are judged without knowledge of the name of the photographer or title of the photo, committee members may enter but may not participate in judging if they have entered. The only person not eligible is the judge.
Theme: The 20__ Theme is __________ .
What kind of photos are you looking for?
Our goal is to celebrate the Biodiversity of the Jordan Valley, the creatures that make this their home, the habitats that support the wide range of life forms and the ways that we interact to enjoy, support and conserve the environment. Our goal is to have excellent, interesting and varied photographs depicting any aspect of the Jordan River Watershed including scenery, birds, animals, plants, people engaged in activities on the river or in the surrounding river valley, any season of the year
Do the pictures have to be taken within this year?
Nope. Any picture that meets the conditions may be entered as long as it has not been entered in the previous contests.
What area do you mean by the Jordan River Watershed?
The area covers the Jordan River Valley that extends roughly from US 131 to the East and M-32 to the North (Deadman’s Hill Area) West to M-66 and South to Mancelona. See the Map.
What Prizes will you award?
The Grand Prize will be awarded to the photo judged to be the best from ALL entries received. A Youth Award is given to the best entry by anyone under 18 years old. Since we want to encourage young people to get involved in environmental awareness and the arts we will waive the entry fee for up to 2 photos per student. If you wish to enter more than 2 then please send the $5.00 entry fee with the additional photographs. The President’s Choice Award is selected by the President of the Friends of the Jordan and is the best representation of the Jordan River or the Watershed in its most natural state. A Viewers Choice award is selected by the community at an event to be announced. These awards have earned from $100 -$250 for the Grand Prize. In addition 10 more photographs are selected for the Calendar and will also receive a cash award.
How will the entries be judged?
The entry form is designed so that we can conceal the name of the entrant from the committee or judges. Each entry is mounted in a white mat so they are all presented in the same way. All entries will be judged solely on their merit. The decision of the judge is final.
What do I need to do to enter?
Each entry must be an un-matted print. We suggest professional photo-printing or professional quality paper if printing your own. Glossy shows better than matte but that is a personal decision. Submit your photograph(s) accompanied by an entry form and a $5.00 entry fee for each picture entered. Children under 18 may enter up to 2 photographs for FREE and are eligible for a Youth Award. Package photos securely so they are not damaged and send to the address on the entry form. Entries must be received by the end of the day on __________. We are also requesting a digital file of the photograph. The digital file assures a better quality image for the calendar otherwise we will scan your print to make a digital file. Be sure that the digital file is the original size saved with any of the changes that you made to produce the print. We can accept large files by email or you may send them on a CD. E-mail the digital file to mmoran@friendsofthejordan.org. We MUST have a print to accept an entry. Get Entry Form
How should I prepare my print?
The actual photograph should be printed at least 8x10 with a margin around it (generally on an 8-1/2 x 11 sheet of paper) as it will be put in a mat with an 8x10 opening. If the image is somewhat larger we will try to mat it to the best effect but some of the image will be obstructed. Use the best quality photo paper and processing for the best effect and we find that glossy tends to present better than matte finishes but that is really a design decision and is the choice of the photographer.
Is there a limit on how many I can enter?
No. But each must have its own entry form and $5.00 fee. You may put all entries in 1 package and combine entry fees in 1 check or money order made out the “Friends of the Jordan” Although you may enter as many photos as you like, no photographer will be awarded more than 2 prizes.
How will I know if I won?
We will invite all finalists to attend the Visions of the Valley Celebration a community event to be held at the Jordan River Watershed Center on the afternoon of __________. We will have an exhibition of selected photographs, food, activities and entertainment. Prizes will be awarded in all categories. We hope you will plan to attend and receive the award in person. Check our website and local newspapers for further information closer to the date. Winners will also be announced in the local media and on our website.
What else do I need to know? Well, here’s the “fine print:”
By entering the contest you agree that the Friends of the Jordan may publish your photograph and name and use both in promotional materials and merchandise to support the Friends of the Jordan River Watershed and its activities. Sponsors of specific prizes may use the photograph associated with them in their promotional materials as well. You will always receive recognition for your work.
We will scan the photographs and retain a high quality scan for use in future publications, merchandise, on the website, etc.
Actual photographs will be returned to the entrant if they provide a SASE with adequate postage. We will keep the originals of the winning photographs for future exhibits. Photographs that are not winners and are not returned to the photographer will be offered for sale through the website on a first come first served basis. If there is a request for more than 1 print, the buyer will be directed to the photographer who may wish to sell prints.
Please tell me if digital images may be edited and enhanced?
Normal editing such as cropping, color correction etc. that would be done in any good photo processing operation is acceptable and expected. We encourage creativity but would appreciate it if you would indicate that you have applied some special processing effect, combined images etc. We are open to all entries and look forward to seeing your work.
Can I submit photos which have already appeared in publications?
If they are your own work, were taken in the Watershed area and are not copyrighted by another publication then you may submit them. We ask that you not re-enter a photograph previously submitted to the FOJ Photography Contest.
I have prints that are matted or framed, can those be submitted?
No, We ask only for prints so that all photographes can be matted identically and presented for judging.
Are planning to print a calendar, where can I buy one?
We are planning to print a calendar for the year 20__. These will be available at the Celebration and you may also get them from any Board Member, from the Jordan Valley Animal Clinic or order on-line.
Anyway I can help with this project?
Sure can. If you have graphic arts skills and want to help design the calendar, we would be glad for the assistance. We currently use Microsoft Publisher and Adobe Photoshop to produce the calendar. We also need help matting the prints, hanging the display for 1-2 exhibits. We always need help selling the calendars and we would be open to ideas on how else we may market these images.
How can I sponsor a photograph?
This is our major fundraising activity for the year. As a business owner or individual you may sponsor an award for the calendar. We award 14 prizes and need sponsorship for each one. The sponsorship provides the monetary award to the photographer and helps defray the costs of the publication of the calendar. All contributions are deductible as we are a 501c3 nonprofit organization for tax purposes.
Who is eligible to enter?
Any photographer, amateur or professional, adults and children are invited to enter the contest. Since all entries are judged without knowledge of the name of the photographer or title of the photo, committee members may enter but may not participate in judging if they have entered. The only person not eligible is the judge.
Theme: The 20__ Theme is __________ .
What kind of photos are you looking for?
Our goal is to celebrate the Biodiversity of the Jordan Valley, the creatures that make this their home, the habitats that support the wide range of life forms and the ways that we interact to enjoy, support and conserve the environment. Our goal is to have excellent, interesting and varied photographs depicting any aspect of the Jordan River Watershed including scenery, birds, animals, plants, people engaged in activities on the river or in the surrounding river valley, any season of the year
Do the pictures have to be taken within this year?
Nope. Any picture that meets the conditions may be entered as long as it has not been entered in the previous contests.
What area do you mean by the Jordan River Watershed?
The area covers the Jordan River Valley that extends roughly from US 131 to the East and M-32 to the North (Deadman’s Hill Area) West to M-66 and South to Mancelona. See the Map.
What Prizes will you award?
The Grand Prize will be awarded to the photo judged to be the best from ALL entries received. A Youth Award is given to the best entry by anyone under 18 years old. Since we want to encourage young people to get involved in environmental awareness and the arts we will waive the entry fee for up to 2 photos per student. If you wish to enter more than 2 then please send the $5.00 entry fee with the additional photographs. The President’s Choice Award is selected by the President of the Friends of the Jordan and is the best representation of the Jordan River or the Watershed in its most natural state. A Viewers Choice award is selected by the community at an event to be announced. These awards have earned from $100 -$250 for the Grand Prize. In addition 10 more photographs are selected for the Calendar and will also receive a cash award.
How will the entries be judged?
The entry form is designed so that we can conceal the name of the entrant from the committee or judges. Each entry is mounted in a white mat so they are all presented in the same way. All entries will be judged solely on their merit. The decision of the judge is final.
What do I need to do to enter?
Each entry must be an un-matted print. We suggest professional photo-printing or professional quality paper if printing your own. Glossy shows better than matte but that is a personal decision. Submit your photograph(s) accompanied by an entry form and a $5.00 entry fee for each picture entered. Children under 18 may enter up to 2 photographs for FREE and are eligible for a Youth Award. Package photos securely so they are not damaged and send to the address on the entry form. Entries must be received by the end of the day on __________. We are also requesting a digital file of the photograph. The digital file assures a better quality image for the calendar otherwise we will scan your print to make a digital file. Be sure that the digital file is the original size saved with any of the changes that you made to produce the print. We can accept large files by email or you may send them on a CD. E-mail the digital file to mmoran@friendsofthejordan.org. We MUST have a print to accept an entry. Get Entry Form
How should I prepare my print?
The actual photograph should be printed at least 8x10 with a margin around it (generally on an 8-1/2 x 11 sheet of paper) as it will be put in a mat with an 8x10 opening. If the image is somewhat larger we will try to mat it to the best effect but some of the image will be obstructed. Use the best quality photo paper and processing for the best effect and we find that glossy tends to present better than matte finishes but that is really a design decision and is the choice of the photographer.
Is there a limit on how many I can enter?
No. But each must have its own entry form and $5.00 fee. You may put all entries in 1 package and combine entry fees in 1 check or money order made out the “Friends of the Jordan” Although you may enter as many photos as you like, no photographer will be awarded more than 2 prizes.
How will I know if I won?
We will invite all finalists to attend the Visions of the Valley Celebration a community event to be held at the Jordan River Watershed Center on the afternoon of __________. We will have an exhibition of selected photographs, food, activities and entertainment. Prizes will be awarded in all categories. We hope you will plan to attend and receive the award in person. Check our website and local newspapers for further information closer to the date. Winners will also be announced in the local media and on our website.
What else do I need to know? Well, here’s the “fine print:”
By entering the contest you agree that the Friends of the Jordan may publish your photograph and name and use both in promotional materials and merchandise to support the Friends of the Jordan River Watershed and its activities. Sponsors of specific prizes may use the photograph associated with them in their promotional materials as well. You will always receive recognition for your work.
We will scan the photographs and retain a high quality scan for use in future publications, merchandise, on the website, etc.
Actual photographs will be returned to the entrant if they provide a SASE with adequate postage. We will keep the originals of the winning photographs for future exhibits. Photographs that are not winners and are not returned to the photographer will be offered for sale through the website on a first come first served basis. If there is a request for more than 1 print, the buyer will be directed to the photographer who may wish to sell prints.
Please tell me if digital images may be edited and enhanced?
Normal editing such as cropping, color correction etc. that would be done in any good photo processing operation is acceptable and expected. We encourage creativity but would appreciate it if you would indicate that you have applied some special processing effect, combined images etc. We are open to all entries and look forward to seeing your work.
Can I submit photos which have already appeared in publications?
If they are your own work, were taken in the Watershed area and are not copyrighted by another publication then you may submit them. We ask that you not re-enter a photograph previously submitted to the FOJ Photography Contest.
I have prints that are matted or framed, can those be submitted?
No, We ask only for prints so that all photographes can be matted identically and presented for judging.
Are planning to print a calendar, where can I buy one?
We are planning to print a calendar for the year 20__. These will be available at the Celebration and you may also get them from any Board Member, from the Jordan Valley Animal Clinic or order on-line.
Anyway I can help with this project?
Sure can. If you have graphic arts skills and want to help design the calendar, we would be glad for the assistance. We currently use Microsoft Publisher and Adobe Photoshop to produce the calendar. We also need help matting the prints, hanging the display for 1-2 exhibits. We always need help selling the calendars and we would be open to ideas on how else we may market these images.
How can I sponsor a photograph?
This is our major fundraising activity for the year. As a business owner or individual you may sponsor an award for the calendar. We award 14 prizes and need sponsorship for each one. The sponsorship provides the monetary award to the photographer and helps defray the costs of the publication of the calendar. All contributions are deductible as we are a 501c3 nonprofit organization for tax purposes.