VNLA - Photography Contest Rules

This is the first annual VNLA Photography Contest sponsored by the VNLA Communications Committee. Enter your best photographs and let the VNLA Newsletter showcase your image for hundreds of readers to see. The winner will be awarded a prize of $50. The winning photograph will be published in our bi-monthly newsletter. The Grand Prize winner will be selected at the end of the year from the six bi-monthly winners and will receive a free VNLA embroidered shirt and free VNLA Field Day and Summer Tour Registration. The Grand Prize winning photography will be published on the cover of one of the newsletters. (Since this contest is starting late in 2006, the first grand prize selection will be at the end of 2007.

RULES:

1. The contest is open to any photographer (amateur and professional) except employees of or Board of Directors of VNLA and their families.

2. Each photographer may enter up to three (3) original slides, prints or digital images. Each entry must be labeled, sleeved and placed in separate envelopes, but can be mailed together in one envelope.

3. All photographs submitted must have been taken in Virginia within the past five years.

4. All contest entries must be listed separately on a piece of paper with your name, address, phone number and e-mail, if you have one. Each entry must be individually listed on this paper stating details on how and where the image was taken. If possible, indicate camera type, make, model, lens, film and setting used to take the photograph. Feel free to elaborate on any story surrounding the photograph. If we have space we will include the information on how the photographs were taken.

5. Photographs may be sent in any slide/transparency format, such as 35 mm. Slides should be submitted in clear plastic storage sheets for ease of handling by the judges. Please write “Top” on the slide mount or on the back of the print. Color and/or black and white prints must be 4X6” or larger.

6. Prints of digital photographs downloaded from a computer must be of high quality and have 300 dpi resolution. Low-end photographic color prints do not produce well enough for reproduction in the VNLA Newsletter. If digital prints (4X6” or larger) are submitted, they should be printed at a professional lab. One CD containing all the original digital files for each image should be included with your submission. Computer generated photographs that are grainy or show pixilation cannot be accepted for judging. Do not submit photography which have been digitally manipulated bu adding objects. Manipulation of exposure, cropping and some color correction is acceptable. It is not acceptable to remove or add features to an image. Include your name, address and phone number on all slides and prints entered.

7.All photographs must be related to the Green Industry. The subject can be located in a nursery, back yard, or in a landscape--just so it is obviously related to the green industry profession in some way.

8. Deadline for submission is 5:00 p.m. on the Newsletter Copy Deadline. The deadline for the September/October issue is September 15, 2006 and the November/December issue is November 15, 2006. All submissions become the property of VNLA and will not be returned.

9. Mail your contest entries to Photography Contest, Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association, 383 Coal Hollow Road, Christiansburg, VA24073-6721 to be received prior to the copy deadline. It is recommended that you send your submission by certified, registered mail or by a courier who uses a tracing number to locate lost packages.

10. Model Release forms are required with each photograph that has a clearly identifiable person in the photograph. Release forms are available from the VNLA office, on request, and are also available for download from the VNLA website at

Judging will be by the VNLA Communication Committee. The VNLA will not be responsible for submissions lost or damaged in transit. All decisions of the judges are final.

Good luck to all contestants
and happy photographing!

RELEASE FORM FOR ADULT SUBJECTS

For the valuable consideration received, I hereby grant to ______

(“Photographer”) the absolute and irrevocable right and unrestricted permission in respect of photographic portraits or pictures that he/she had taken of me or in which I may be included with others to copyright the same, in his/her own name or otherwise; to use, re-use, publish, and republish the same in whole or in part, individually or in any and all media now or hereafter known, and for any purpose whatsoever without restriction as to alteration; and to use my name in connection therewith if he/she so chooses.

I hereby release and discharge Photographer from any and all claims and demands arising out of or in connection with the use of the photographs, including without limitation any and all claims for libel or invasion of privacy.

This authorization and release shall also inure to the benefit of the heirs, legal representatives, licensees, and assigns of Photographer, as well as, the person(s) for whom he/she took the photographs.

I am of full age and have the right to contract in my own name. I have read the foregoing and fully understand the contents thereof. This release shall be binding upon me and my heirs, legal representatives and assigns.

Date ______

Name ______

Address ______

City: ______ST ____ Zipcode: ______

Phone: ______-______-______

Email: ______

Signature: ______

RELEASE FOR MINOR SUBJESTS

For the valuable consideration received, I hereby grant to ______

(“Photographer”), his/her legal representatives and assigns, those for whom the Photographer is acting and those acting with his/her authority and permission, the absolute and irrevocable right and unrestricted permission in respect of photographic portraits or pictures that he/she had taken of the minor or in which the minor may be included with others to copyright the same, in his/her own name or otherwise; to use, re-use, publish, and republish the same in whole or in part, individually or in any and all media now or hereafter known, and for any purpose whatsoever without restriction as to alteration; and to use the minor’s own or fictitious name in connection therewith if he/she so chooses.

I hereby release and discharge Photographer from any and all claims and demands arising out of or in connection with the use of the photographs, including without limitation any and all claims for libel or invasion of privacy.

This authorization and release shall also inure to the benefit of the heirs, legal representatives, licensees, and assigns of Photographer, as well as, the person(s) for whom he/she took the photographs.

I am of full age and have the right to contract for the minor in the above regard. I have read the foregoing and fully understand the contents thereof. This release shall be binding upon me and the minor and our heirs, legal representatives and assigns.

Date______Minor’s Name ______

Minor’s Address ______

Father/Mother/Guardian ______

Address ______

City: ______ST ____ Zipcode: ______

Phone: ______-______-______

Email: ______

Signature: ______
(Father/Mother/Guardian)