How should entries and forms be arranged when sending them in?
Please make sure all entry photos are attached to their respective forms and original media so we know which items go together when we receive them. Each entry and all of its components should be clearly labeled with the photographer’s name and 4-H county. The easiest way to keep everything together is to place each entry and all of its related materials in a clear plastic page protector. Having each entry’s materials in one place allows us to mail all entries back to the counties in a timely manner after Congress. If you choose to attach your materials with a paperclip, please place a blank piece of paper in between the paperclip and your items to prevent the direct contact that can result in scratching.
What do the winners receive as awards?
Ribbons are awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place and Honorable Mention. Each winner also receives a congratulatory letter from the Department of Communication Services. Winning entries are reproduced on a display board that travels across the state during the year, and they are also displayed on the 4H Photography Contest webpage.
Will participants get their original photos, negatives, and CDs back?
YES. All original materials that are submitted to the contest will be returned to the 4-H'ers or their agents by September at the very latest. Usually, the materials are mailed a week or two after Congress.
Can the winners keep the mounted copies of their photos that are used in the actual display?
The copies that are made from the winning photos and then mounted for use in the display will remain in the exhibit to be displayed at selected meetings and events throughout the year. After the next Congress, these display copies will be sent to the individual county agents for distribution to the proper 4-H'ers. The display with the new winners is unveiled at 4H Congress each year.
Will the winners be announced in any newspapers?
Perhaps! This is up to the discretion of the individual county 4-H agents to contact their local newspapers about the 4-H'ers who have received awards in this contest.
Are frames and/or matte boards allowed?
Matte boards, if you insist.... frames, no! Frames make the judging and handling process too difficult and will no longer be accepted. Matte board is fine, but loose prints are preferred whenever possible. Entries are judged by the image alone, so it is not particularly advantageous to mount your images. We strive to keep this contest open to all 4-H'ers without incurring extra and unnecessary costs. We'd rather you concentrate on the quality of your images and the subject of your photos!
What size do the entry prints have to be?
Any size 8x10 inches or smaller will be accepted. This restriction includes mattes or mounting: your finished image must be 8x10 inches or smaller. For instance, if you choose an 8x10 matte, then your image will probably need to be a 5x7 or 4x6 to fit into that matte.
Is there always a "Best of Show" winner?
No, "Best of Show" winners are designated as such when the judges feel that a particular 1st place photo is clearly deserving of extra recognition. It is a great honor for the photographer and a real treat for the judges when we discover such an image!
Will participants receive a written critique of their entries?
Since the judges are asked to review a very large number of photo entries, they are not required to provide written critiques. We received close to two hundred entries in 2008 and just don’t have the staff to individually critique each one. However, we do try to provide a little information in a letter all participants receive that provides a general idea about what the judges liked and why they chose certain winners in a given year.