Deadline extended! Entries will now be accepted until November 30, 2021.
Calling all amateur photographers!
South Carolina Wildlife Federation is sponsoring our 19th Annual Wildlife Photography Contest. Send us your best photographs that capture the natural beauty of South Carolina’s wildlife and their habitats - in your own backyard or anywhere in the state.
CONTEST CATEGORIES:
Carolina Critters
Did you catch that bird sifting through the Upstate snow to find its meal on film? How about the shy deer venturing out in the Pee Dee field to graze? A turkey? Or that great blue heron wading through the swamps of the Lowcountry? Enter any of these photos in the Carolina Critters category.
Scenes of South Carolina
Maybe you’re more into capturing those gorgeous SC sunsets on the ocean or sunrises in the mountains? Or perhaps you find the early morning dew on an open field worth photographing. You might find the placement of rocks in one of SC’s many rivers to be the best photographic moment you’ve ever seen. These scenes found in the beauty of SC’s landscapes can be entered in the Scenes of South Carolina category.
Backyard Habitat
Some of the most beautiful and unique wildlife in South Carolina can be found in your own backyard. Now’s your chance to show off the hard work you’ve put into turning your backyard into a haven for wildlife. No two habitats are created equally, and we want to see photos of the various habitats, native plants, and wildlife that enjoy all the fruits of your labor. You put in the work to provide the food, water, cover, and places to raise young in your own backyard, and we want to see your creations.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Two easy steps! 1. Submit your photos and 2. Pay your entry fee!
Submitting Photos: You may enter up to three photographs in each category per person in color or black and white.
Digital images (preferred) - Send by email to: photo@scwf.org
File Types - jpg, gif, and png file types (at least 72 pixels per inch, which would result in an approximately 250 KB-sized image in jpg format).
File Names - Please use the following format to name your images:
Your name (last, first), photo name, category
For example: Johnson, Edwin, Folly Sunrise, Scenes of SC
Mailed Entries - Send to:
SCWF Photography Contest
455 St. Andrews Road, Suite B1
Columbia, SC 29210
If you print your photographs and want the prints to be returned, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope that fits the photograph(s). We will keep a digital copy on file of all photos submitted. **Although care will be taken with submitted material, the South Carolina Wildlife Federation will not be responsible for damage or loss of photos.**
Entry Fee
Each photographer must submit a one-time entry fee of $15.00 - this fee covers entrance of up to 9 photos (3 per category) in the contest. You may pay the entry fee online through the button below, or you may mail in a check with your photos - make check payable to SCWF.
Eligibility
Entries must be images taken in South Carolina. Captive, domestic, and exotic species will not be considered. SCWF employees or board members or their immediate family members are not eligible.
The SCWF photo contest is limited to amateur photographers - defined as those who do not receive more than 10% of their annual income from selling their photographs, or not more than $5,000 annually if retired or unemployed.
*Note: Contestants, by their entry, agree that the South Carolina Wildlife Federation may publish their images in SCWF publications and on the SCWF website and social media platforms. Photographer name credit will be given when images are used.
Digital Alteration Guidelines
All photographs should accurately reflect the subject matter and the scene as it appeared. Photos that have been digitally altered beyond standard optimization will be disqualified. Acceptable are adjustments to color, contrast, brightness and sharpness; removal of dust and scratches; cropping; and black and white conversions. Not acceptable are photo composites (combinations of two or more photos, not of the same scene); the addition, duplication, deletion, or moving of objects in the photos; or the use of artistic digital filters and effects, such as watercolor, neon glow, posterizing, stained glass, and others which do not depict the scene in its natural way.
Judging
The judges panel is made up of SCWF staff and board of directors. Decisions of the judges are final. Notification will be sent by e-mail after judging is complete.
Prizes
The First Place Winner in each category will receive a $100 cash prize.
Dates
Entries must be received by the November 30, 2021 deadline. Winners will be notified by December 31, 2021. Only First, Second, and Third places will be awarded. Contest winners will be published online.
Now that we've got all that straight...get out there and take some great photos! Good luck!
Questions? Contact SCWF at (803) 256-0670 or photo@scwf.org.
Banner image: Bulls Island Boneyard Sunrise by Ben Sumrell