Gallery by the Lake is excited to announce:
The fifth annual Bird Photography Competition and Exhibition
HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT! 2023
Overview
This competition is meant to celebrate the joys and benefits of birdwatching, draw attention to the diversity of bird life and habitat across the United States and showcase the work of wildlife photographers in North America. With cash prizes for Adult 1st - 3rd place and a Youth 1st place, the winners will certainly be rewarded for their beautiful photos!
When
The Event itself begins on April 28th, 2023, and will conclude on November 25th!
Here is a Calendar for all of the important dates for this event:
April 28 - Call for entry opens
June 26 - Deadline for entries
July 12 - Notification of Acceptance
September 15 - Deadline for receipt of accepted works
September 29 – Reception and Awards Presentations
November 25 - Exhibition concludes
Where
This is a national competition and exhibition of photographs of birds found in the United States. The opening reception and exhibition will take place on the second floor of the Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center in Lake Charles, LA on September 29th and end on November 25th. Awards will also be announced at the opening reception.
How to enter
Open Category - for photos taken with any type of camera.
Fixed-lens Camera Category - this is a new category for 2023 to create a competition for photographs taken with less expensive cameras with fixed, non-removable lens
Each photographer may submit up to 3 entries for the standard non-refundable entry fee of $35. Up to 5 additional entries may be submitted for $5 each. Entries are submitted using the www.callforentry.org (CaFÉ) website.
Accepted works must framed and back wired with the wire reaching no higher than 3" from the top of the frame.
Image size should not exceed 18” x 24” or equivalent with matted and framed work not larger than 24” x 30”.
Mailed entries should be suitable to withstand the rigors of packaged shipping. Please ship to:
Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Historic City Hall
1001 Ryan Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
Hand deliveries are accepted September 5th - 9th and 12th from 10 am to 6 pm
Works must be received by September 15
o All shipped accepted works must include prepaid return shipping label
o Late or damaged shipments will be returned freight collect
o Works must be shipped in reusable packing cartons
o No packing peanuts or popcorn
Return of artwork begins November 28
Hand delivery pickup available at Historic City from November 28th - December 2nd and December 5th - 9th, 10 am to 6 pm.
A 20% gallery commission will be assessed on the sale of photographs during the exhibition. The exhibition committee reserves the right to reproduce accepted entries for future press releases, website, and social media promotion of this event.
Entry Requirements
The media must be Photography. Digital enhancement should be limited to color, shadow, cropping, and reasonable use of AI sharpening software. No alteration of original image background is allowed. Photography regarding bird safety and dignity outlined in Audubon Photography guidelines should be followed.
Judges
The contest will be judged by BWD Magazine editors Dawn Hewitt and Bruce Wunderlich.
For each category:
1st Place - $300
2nd Place - $100
3rd Place - $75
Best in Show - $400
Honorable mentions (8)
Prizes
Contact
Competition Coordinator: Dan Plummer
Phone: Dan Plummer (337) 842-6820
Liability
Gallery by the Lake Inc. carries no insurance for loss or damage to artwork in the gallery or in transit nor assume any liability for same. Care will be taken for the safety of the exhibited work. Artists should provide their own insurance coverage. Gallery by the Lake Inc. is not responsible for fees and/or damage from any cause. A submission of entry/ies into the show and exhibit constitutes a binding agreement by artists to all conditions stated. The entrant understands and agrees that any unclaimed artwork left after the exhibit take-out date will be removed from the exhibit site and will be donated/disposed of by the Gallery by the Lake after 30 days from last pickup date.
This project is supported by SWLA Convention & Visitors Bureau Tourism Marketing Grant from Visit Lake Charles (Lake Charles/SWLA Convention & Visitors Bureau), as administered by the Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana.