Self Portrait by Brian Patrick from the 2010 contest
Every year Just Out has an amateur photo contest; I was even a judge last year. Now it’s time to gear up for 2011. Here are the deets below:
Entries are limited to 10 per person. Any means of snapping that award-worthy original shot is fine: iPhone, digital camera or that old fashioned standard picture-taker, but we must receive a printed/hard copy — no digital submissions accepted. (We’d prefer you didn’t mat the image.)
On that note, no print size is too small or large — however, as we caution every year, your masterpieces will not be returned. To repeat, you won’t get ‘em back.
What you will get is recognition, one way or another. A winner will be selected for each of the six categories listed below, and all submissions will be displayed throughout the month of July at Q Center. Details on a forthcoming artists’ reception to come.
Categories are as follows:
* Around the World in 80 Gays – You guessed it, it’s time for your finest travel shots.
* Rainbows, Unicorns and Glitter — Give us your gay gay gay, all the way!
* Petlandia — Think you have the absosmurfly most awesome pet pic ever? Of course you do. Prove it.
* The Great OUTdoors — Nature!!! That is all. (Nature!!!)
* Whatever – If your lens thinks abstractly, well, whatever. Nah, just kidding. This one’s for what some folks call the “artsy shots.”
* Getting Graphic — And by that, we don’t mean the money shot. That is, unless you’re thinking of the coolest tweaked image you just finished — be it in Photoshop or via any other graphic/design tool or element to enhance the photo, etc. This image should scream “cover,” as in our cover — the winner will be in contention for the June 17 cover of Just Out.
A panel of guest judges will decide our winners, who will receive fabulous TBD prizes from sponsors we’re still finalizing. And new this year, we’re limiting the contest to one prize per person.
And lest the title of this competition not be clear enough, this is for amateurs, folks. If you’re making a living off of it and selling your photographic wares, this isn’t the contest for you.
All entries must be clearly marked on the back with your name, the (un)title of the image, your phone number and email address. Submissions are due to Just Out‘s offices — 6234 N. Greeley Ave., Portland, OR 97217-5020 — by 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 31.
