2011 IFES Photography Contest http://www.ifes.org/Content/Events/2011/2011-IFES-Photography-Contest.aspx
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) conducts an annual democracy themed photography competition to profile the many ways individuals demonstrate a sense of civic responsibility and call to action around the world.
The contest is divided into two categories: one open to the public and another open exclusively to IFES employees. One winner and as many as ten finalists will be named for each category. The winner of each category will receive $600 (USD).
IFES will accept submissions for the competition from January 11 to March 10, 2011.
The contest theme is drawn from a subject of special interest to the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). The contest is divided into two categories - one open to the public and another exclusive to current IFES employees. As many as ten finalists and one winner will be recognized from each category. The winner from the Public Category will receive $600 (USD) and the winner of IFES' Choice category will receive $600 (USD). All category winners and finalists will be highlighted on IFES' website on or after March 21, 2011.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.
Theme
The contest seeks photographs of individuals taking part in the electoral process or other activities that demonstrate the values of democratic governance and citizen engagement.
Who may enter
Public Category: Open to photographers worldwide who are eighteen (18) years of age at the time of entry. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
IFES' Choice Category: Only current employees of IFES are eligible.
Term
IFES Photo Contest (the "Contest") begins January 11, 2011, and ends March 10, 2011, at 11:00pm Eastern Time (ET). All digital entries must be received at IFES' website by March 10, 2011, at 11:00pm Eastern Time (ET).
Sponsor
The Contest is sponsored by IFES, 1850 K Street, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20006, USA.
Agreement to contest rules
By submitting an entry, each entrant agrees to the Contest Rules and the decision of Sponsor, and warrants that his or her entry complies with all requirements set out in the Contest Rules. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein in a timely manner. Please read these Contest Rules carefully before submitting your photograph(s).
What to enter
Using the online entry form on our website (complete a separate form for each photo submitted), submit high-quality scans of non-digital photographs or digital photographs at the highest resolution possible in a .jpeg, .jpg or .tif format. Files submitted may not be larger than 5 megabytes. Finalists may be asked to submit a high-resolution file or an original negative, print or slide. Original photographs will not be returned to finalists.
Photographs must have been shot by the entrant within the past year (since January 10, 2010). Each online entry must also include, as requested on the form, a brief description explaining how that image is representative of the contest theme.
Cropped photos are eligible in all categories, but you may not submit photos that have been digitally or otherwise enhanced or altered. Minor adjustments, including spotting, dodging and burning, contrast and slight color adjustment or the digital equivalents, are acceptable. An entrant must hold, and affirm that entrant holds, all rights to the photograph(s); those that violate or infringe upon another person's copyright are not eligible.
How to enter
Submit no more than (4) photographs to the appropriate category online here. Sponsor will not accept more than one entry contestant per e-mail address. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any person that violates the Contest Rules or tampers with or abuses any aspect of this Contest as solely determined by Sponsor. Incomplete or late entries will be disqualified.
Judging
The contest consists of three rounds of evaluation for each category. In the first round, Judges will independently select as many as ten images among all eligible entries from each category based on overall artistic merit, technical excellence, and relevance. All entries selected from round one will proceed to round two. In round two, Judges will independently review all entries from the first round and score each entry from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) for each category according to the criteria and formula below. The composite score will be made based on the following percentages:
* (50%) Overall Artistic merit - (for example - Does the photo evoke a response from the judge? Can the judge empathize with the subject? Is this response a response other viewers would feel?)
* (25%) Technical quality of Image - (for example - Does the photo present its subjects and ideas clearly? Did techniques such as flash or shutter speed improve the photo? Was time and thought given for the composition of the photo?)
* (25%) Relevance (for example - Does the subject matter fit the category? Does it present this idea in a new way?)
The composite scores from the three judges will be averaged together. As many as eleven entries per category with the highest value in each category will proceed to round three. In round three, the Judges will collectively select a Winner for each category.
Winners will be chosen on or around March 17, 2011, and notified by email on or after March 21, 2011. Decisions of the judges are final and binding. Please do not contact us about the status of entries.
Winning photographs and selected finalists will be published in the April issue of IFES' EXPRESS newsletter and on www.ifes.org.
Prizes
One winner will be selected for each category. The Public Category winner will receive $600 (USD). One winner of IFES' Choice category award will receive $600 (USD). Selected finalists from each contestant category may at the Sponsor's discretion receive additional noncash prizes with a total approximate retail value of $15 (USD). The odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Winners will be responsible for paying any taxes they may owe on a prize. No prize transfer, assignment or substitution by winners is permitted.
