2024 Octoraro Watershed Association Photography Contest

Who May Enter? - This contest is open to photographers of any age. There are three age categories – Adults (18 years of age and above), Youth (13 to 17 years of age), and Youth 2 (12 years of age and under).

What to Enter? - All photographs must be taken within the Octoraro Watershed which encompasses the following townships: Eden, Bart, Sadsbury (in both Lancaster and Chester counties), West Sadsbury, Highland, West Fallowfield, Upper Oxford, Lower Oxford, East Nottingham, Little Britain, Fulton, East Drumore, and West Nottingham, and the boroughs of Atglen and Christiana, Pennsylvania and Cecil County, Maryland. All photographs must be identified with their location within the watershed (county, township, borough). Photographs may be color or black and white. Photos will be entered and judged in four categories:

·      Wildlife – plants, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, invertebrates, fungi (please, no domestic animals)

·      Landscapes – sites, scenery, historic buildings

·      Agriculture - farm-related activities and/or farm landscapes

·      Trailcam – interesting photographs captured on your trailcam.

How to Enter? – All photographs will be submitted in printed format:  8”X11” or larger hard copy mounted on foam/hard cardboard. Please know that all photographs after judging will be part of a traveling show to local libraries and venues. Very large photographs may be difficult to mount and transport.  Only mounted hard copies will be accepted at the OWA office, located inside the West Fallowfield Township Building, Suite 7, 3095 Limestone Road, Cochranville, PA 19330. Photos may be dropped off on March 6 and 7, 2024 between 6:00 and 8:00 PM each evening. If you are unable to make those dates, please contact Chotty Sprenkle for alternate arrangements (contact information below).

Required information should be on the back side of the mounted photo: 1.) photo category 2.) name 3.) address 4.) phone 5.) email 6.) where the photo was taken in the watershed.  All photos must be received by March 7, 2024. No virtual submittals – hard copy only.

Judging and Display – The judge will be a local professional photographer yet to be determined. All entries will be displayed, and the winners will be recognized at our OWA Annual Membership meeting, March 21, 2024, Britain Hill Winery, 790 Little Britain Road N, Quarryville, PA 17566, 6:00 PM. After the annual meeting we will feature the collection in a traveling show in Lancaster, Chester, and Cecil Counties to various institutions (libraries, historical society, banks, schools) in the watershed. Winning photographs will also be featured in the OWA newsletter and on our website.

 PLEASE, NO PHOTOS CREATED WITH PHOTOSHOP. The definition of “CREATED” is putting something in the photograph that was not present when you took the photograph. For instance, you cannot place a moon in the photograph if it was not present when you took the photograph. Programs that allow you to enhance a photo for color, clarity, exposure, etc. are acceptable.

Prizes

First Place, All categories – Ribbon and Monetary Prize ($15)

Second Place, All categories – Ribbon and Monetary Prize ($10)

Third Place, All categories – Ribbon and Monetary Prize ($5)

Best of Show – Ribbon and Monetary Prize ($50)

People’s Choice – Ribbon and recognition

For more information, please contact Chotty Sprenkle directly at csprenkle9@gmail.com  or 610-593-2808 or text 484-888-5416. We look forward to your photographs showing the beauty and wonder of the Octoraro Watershed.

Octoraro Watershed Association, 3095 Limestone Road, Suite 7, Cochranville, PA 19330

(484) 947-9390 octorarowa@gmail.com    www.theowa.net