Obed Wild and Scenic River invites photographers to submit entries for the 14th annual photo exhibit at the Visitor Center in downtown Wartburg, TN.
The National Park Service is looking for striking digital images of nature, highlighting the spectacular views, recreational opportunities, and diversity of life in the park.
Only photographs taken within the Obed Wild and Scenic River area will be accepted.
Categories for entry include:
Recreation. Photographs of people participating in recreational activities.
Dark Skies. Expansive and dramatic view of the night sky within the boundaries of the park.
Flora and Fauna. Animals in their natural habitat, including close-ups of invertebrates, or plants in their natural habitat, including close-ups of flowers, fungi, lichen, and algae.
Landscapes. Expansive and dramatic views of the land and its features within park boundaries.
Youth (17 and younger). Any entry by photographers younger 17 years of age. Photographs must fit into one of the other categories of competition.
All images should accurately reflect the subject matter and the scene as it appeared.
Digitally altered photos, beyond standard optimization, will be disqualified.
Acceptable alterations include adjustments to color, contrast, brightness and sharpness; removal of dust and scratches; cropping; black and white conversions.
High dynamic range imaging is acceptable in all categories. Stitching is acceptable in Landscapes category.
Unacceptable alterations include composites (combination of two or more photos, not of the same scene); the addition, duplication, deletion or moving of objects in the photos; digital effects that do not show the scene in its natural way.
People may be included except in the Fauna and Flora category.
Judging will be conducted by an anonymous third party group. No employee of the NPS will participate in the judging of entries nor have influence in the decision. Entries will be judged on technical excellence, originality, creativity, visual impact, and artistic merit. Judges decisions are final.
Selected images will be unveiled at the artist reception, and printed for exhibition at Obed Visitor Center, and will be displayed on the park’s official website, social media pages, and other venues.
Go to https://tinyurl.com/Obed25 for complete rules and entry forms.
Entries must be received no later than July 15. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed entry form with all information clearly filled out. Entry forms may be downloaded from here. Entries may be emailed to obri_information@nps.gov, or dropped off at or mailed to Obed Wild & Scenic River, 208 N. Maiden St., Wartburg, TN 37887, Attn: Obed Photo Contest.
Winners will be announced during the Aug. 22 NPS Birthday Bash at the Obed Wild & Scenic River Visitor Center.