2009 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. Images 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 (date TBD). 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.
Awards
First, 2nd, and 3rd prizes will be awarded in Pictorial and Documentary in both 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
Effective with the 2009 Photo Contest, only digital images will be considered.
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 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 image (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 images on the NAMA web pages and in The Mycophile. All copyrights remain with the photographer.
Entry Form
2009 Entry Form available in pdf or Word format.