The Friends of the Fox Annual Photography Contest has become a big hit, so organizers have stepped it up this year! To get in, you’ll have to act quickly, though. The deadline for entries is midnight Oct. 15.

The theme for this year’s contest is the “The Seasons of The Fox River.”

“We want you to try to capture the beauty of the Fox River in the context of a particular time of year,” said Eric Pepa, one of the contest organizers. “Spring, summer, fall and winter all have their magical moments and the Fox River expresses its personality in a different way each period.”

Remember, the Fox River watershed extends from the headwaters near Waukesha to the Illinois River at Ottawa, and includes all the tributaries of the Fox River, so there are plenty of areas to photograph and plenty of competition for the contest.

Along with your photo, please include a brief description (50 words or so) of the time and location of your photo, the context, circumstances, weather and any other interesting tidbits to help tell your story. Also, please tell judges about your camera, lens and other technical details if you know them (f/stop, shutter speed, ISO, focal length, GPS location).

This year, there is no entry fee, and the contest is open to both members and non-members.

Whether you are a seasoned professional, you consider photography an exciting hobby, or you just have a passing interest, you are invited to submit up to five photos for this year’s contest.

The contest began on March 1 and ends at midnight on Oct. 15, 2018. You are welcome to submit photos at any time during that period.

Friends of the Fox River will also select 13 of the submitted photos for our 2019 Calendar. So your photo may grace the walls (and refrigerators) of friends throughout the Fox Valley all next year!

For detailed submission requirements and directions, read or download contest rules here. Then fill out the submission form below. Here are the main rules:

Eligibility: Legal residents of the United States, 18 and over (unless permitted by parent or guardian). Both amateur and professional photographers are welcome.

Contest Period: Photos accepted March 1, 2018 through Oct. 15, 2018.

Registration Fee: Free

Submission: Electronic or minimum 8-by-10 prints of your photo. Up to five submissions per person. Please also include a brief description of each photo (up to 100 words).

Prizes:           

• One First Prize — Gift Certificate from one of our Sponsors, T-shirt, one-year membership
• One Runner Up — Gift Certificate from one of our Sponsors, T-shirt, one-year membership
• Three or more Honorable Mentions

Any entry photos may also be featured in the 2019 calendar. Winners will be announced by email and on our website within 30 days of the close of the contest period.

To submit your photo(s) please visit this page.

SOURCE: Friends of the Fox River website