American Cetacean Society
11th International Conference - Whales in a Changing World
November 13-16, 2008 - Monterey, California

Whales in a Changing World - Photo Contest

PHOTO CONTEST RULES

Photo Contest Coordinator, Bernardo Alps, Whalephoto@earthlink.net

Deadline is October 31, 2008

ACS invites all amateur photographers to participate in the "Whales in a Changing World" photo contest. The winning entries will be displayed during the ACS “Whales in a Changing World” conference at the Embassy Suites Monterey/Seaside, CA, on November 14-16, 2008.

All entries must be RECEIVED at ACS National headquarters in San Pedro, CA, by October 31, 2008 along with the entry fee ($5/photo for conference participants $10 for non-participants).

No digital alteration of photos is allowed, other than cropping and normal color balance and contrast adjustment.

All photos have to be of wild animals, free and unrestrained, in their natural habitat.

First, second and third places will be awarded in each category and certificates given to the winners. Honorable mentions might be awarded at the discretion of the judges.

Photos that have been entered in previous ACS conference photo contests are not eligible.

The contest is open to amateur photographers only. For eligibility purposes, an amateur is defined as someone who derives less than 25% of his/her income from photography. Someone who sells an occasional photograph to a publication will not be excluded. If in doubt about your status, please contact the contest coordinator.

There will be three categories:

• Mysticetes - Includes all species of baleen whales.
• Odontocetes - All species of toothed whales, including dolphins and porpoises.
• Other Marine Vertebrates - Includes other marine mammals such as pinnipeds, polar bears, otters and sirenians; sea turtles, sea birds, fishes, etc. (Sea birds in the context of this contest are birds that spend most of their time in or over salt water, like penguins, tubenoses, alcids, some gulls and others)

Each entrant may submit up to five photos in each category for a total of 15 entries. The entry fee is $5 per photo for conference attendees ($10 for non-attendees).

Entries may be any type of color or black and white prints and must be securely mounted on an 11" by 17" board. The actual photo may be of any size, as long as it fits on the 11" by 17" board. One photo per board. The board may be of any color. No writing may appear in the front of the board. Each board must have a completed and signed entry form taped to the back.

All entries must be received at ACS National headquarters in San Pedro by the end of the day on October 31, 2008. It is the entrant's responsibility to package the entries properly to avoid damage.

Entries may be picked up after 5:30 p.m. on November 16 at the conference. Entrants who prefer to have their entries mailed to them must to include proper packaging and return postage. While all reasonable care will be taken with the handling, displaying and shipping of entries, ACS cannot be responsible for lost or damaged entries.

Entries that do not conform to the rules will be disqualified. All decisions by the panel of judges and the contest coordinator are final.

Entrants must own the copyright of all photos entered or have permission from the copyright owner to enter the contest. If there are recognizable people in the photo, entrant must have permission from the person(s) to enter in the contest. ACS reserves the right to use all winning entries (first, second and third place winners, as well as honorable mentions, if any are awarded) in ACS publications, materials and on the ACS website.

Street address for overnight shipping:

American Cetacean Society
Point Fermin Park
745 Paseo Del Mar
San Pedro, CA 90731

Click here to download a pdf of the Photo Contest Entry Form