Do you think that photo you took on holiday in June is worthy of a magazine cover or what about that photo of Jimmy being pecked on the nose by the neighbour’s parrot?  If you think you might have a winning photo of a special birding moment, then we have a photographic competition that’s just right for you!
    
The club is launching a photographic competition for members only, so if you’re an amateur that enjoys birding and can take a photo that captures your passion, then why not enter.
    
The focus will obviously be on our local indigenous feathered friends but if you have a photo from your exotic holiday overseas that you’d like to enter, send it along.  You might have taken a really interesting photo while out atlasing, during Birding Big Day or one of our club camps this year – why not submit it and see what our judges think?
    
We’re happy to announce the following three categories:

• Local wild birds
• Amusing and fun pictures
• General

Details (general overview of what’s required):

1. There are three categories that you can enter but only two photos may be submitted per category ie. a total of six photos may be submitted per member.

1. Only paid-up members of BLNG will be eligible to enter.
2. The photographs will be adjudicated by two club members and one independent not attached to club.
3. When you’re ready, send your photos via e-mail to the following address:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
4. Your submission must include your name, full contact details and category that you are entering. If you have an interesting story behind your submission, why not share that with us too.
5. The photographs will be adjudicated by two club members and one independent not attached to club.
6. Our panel of judges will select three images from each category, a winner, runner up and highly commended in addition to an overall winner.
7. Photographs attached to the e-mail must be in a JPEG or compatible format (high resolution please).
8. You need to make sure that the people in your photograph, if any, have agreed to have their images displayed on the club’s website and shown at the evening meeting.
9. Closing date for submission is Friday 23rd January 2009; 12h00 – no late entries will be accepted.
10. Winners will be announced on Tuesday evening on 10th February 2009 after the AGM has finished.  See 2009 programme for details.

Rules (because we have to make it fair on everyone):

1. First rule of this competition is to have fun taking your photos.  This isn’t a serious competition with serious prizes.
2. Only paid-up members of BLNG will be eligible to enter.
3. Please, no professionals (anyone who derives more than 10% of their income from photography). We are looking for casual shooters to serious hobbyists.
4. The photos you submit may not have been published previously.
5. Please avoid using software to manipulate your photos in any way – we’re looking for natural flair and don’t mind blemishes.
6. Only two photos can be submitted per category by each entrant.
7. Photographs must be originals and taken by entrant.
8. Submission must include name and category that you are entering. If you have an interesting story behind your submission, why not share that with us too.
9. As no names will be attached to photographs for the judges, the competition is open to all club members (as the judges will not know the names of entrants until after final judging is complete).
10. The panel of judges will select three images from each category, a winner, runner up and highly commended in addition to an overall winner.
11. The judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
12. Submitted photographs must be your original work, must not violate the copyright or any other personal or property right of any third party and you have obtained any and all releases and permissions necessary for our intended use.
13. By submitting your photographic entries, you provide the club with permission to publish your photograph/s on our club website (full credit will be given to the photographer at all times) and shown at the evening meeting where the winners will be announced.
14. All photographs must be submitted to the following e-mail address only:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   Only entries submitted via the correct e-mail address will be accepted.
15. Photographs should be between 1Mb and 3Mb (1200x900 pixels to 2048x1536 pixels).
16. Photographs attached to the e-mail must be in a JPEG or compatible format (high resolution please).
17. Closing date for submission is Friday 23rd January 2009, 12h00 – no late entries will be accepted.
18. Winners will be announced on Tuesday evening on 10th February 2009 after the Annual General Meeting has taken place.  See 2009 programme for details.