Shutterbug Contest

Some of the most breathtaking scenery Tennessee has to offer lies within our state parks. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Tennessee State Parks system, and to celebrate this milestone, The Tennessee Magazine and the parks system are teaming up to host the first-ever State Parks Shutterbug Photography Contest.

The theme, “Celebrating 75 Years of State Parks,” will give you plenty of room to be creative. Subjects could range from scenic vistas full of wildlife to hikers enjoying the solitude of a backcountry hike. In fact, any photograph taken inside a Tennessee state park, state historic park, state archeological park or state natural area can be entered as long as you follow the rules.

Photographers shouldn’t have a shortage of subjects. No matter where you are in Tennessee, you are less than an hour from a state park. Photographs will be judged on sharpness, composition, lighting, creativity and adherence to the contest rules. Print quality will also be taken into consideration.

“I’m thrilled that Tennessee State Parks is working with The Tennessee Magazine to sponsor a state parks 75th anniversary photo contest,” says Charles Brewton, Tennessee State Parks director of marketing. “It will be fun having our visitors share their memories with us. We look forward to seeing their photo images as they explore and enjoy our state parks.”

The winning images will be published in the June 2012 issue of The Tennessee Magazine.

Note: By entering the contest, photographers automatically give The Tennessee Magazine and Tennessee State Parks permission to publish the winning images in print and digital publications and on websites.

Contest Rules

The contest is open to amateur photographers only. If you earn your living as a photographer, please refrain from entering.
Photographs must have been taken at one of Tennessee’s state parks. Visit www.tnstateparks.com for a complete list or call 1-888-867-2757 for a free brochure.
A photographer can enter no more than three photographs in any category. There is no cost to enter.
A completed entry form (below) must be attached to the back of every photograph entered. Omitting any of this information may result in disqualification.
Extensive digital manipulation of photographs is prohibited. The use of photo-editing software should be limited. Adjusting exposure, color balance, contrast and sharpness is allowable, but highly manipulating colors and content of images is not.
Employees of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and Tennessee’s electric cooperatives and their immediate families are not eligible to win.
Please include the name of each recognizable person in your photograph. It is the photographer’s responsibility to have the subject’s permission to enter his or her image into the contest. You must include the subject’s name and contact information with your submission. Omitting any of this information can result in disqualification.
Media: Use any camera, film or digital; any film, black-and-white or color.

Parks Rules

Photographers and their subjects are expected to follow all rules and regulations posted by each state park. Noncompliance will result in disqualifications. These regulations include but are not limited to staying on marked trails, keeping dogs on leashes and wearing life jackets when required.

Submissions

All photographs must be entered as unmounted, 8-by-10-inch prints. Images can be color or black-and-white. Please don’t send your only print of a photo. Because of large numbers of entries, prints will not be returned.
Send entries to: The Tennessee Magazine, State Parks Photo Contest, P.O. Box 100912, Nashville, TN, 37224. Entries may not be emailed or submitted via the tnelectric.org website.

Deadline

Entries must be postmarked by Friday, April 20.

Prize Packages:

Judges will select a first-, second- and third-place winner in each category. The following prizes will be awarded:

Shutterbugs win:

First place
Six nights at any state park inn, plus $75 from The Tennessee Magazine
Second place
Four nights at any state park inn, plus $65
Third place
Three nights at any state park inn, plus $50

Junior Shutterbugs win:

First place
Three nights at any state park inn, plus $75
Second place
Two nights at any state park inn, plus $65
Third place
One night at any state park inn, plus $50

Note: Accommodations subject to availability

Entry Form

Comments

Joyce Kleen
January 6, 2012

The rules state that you can have no more than 3 photos in any category. What are the categories? Or is it only one category-Tennessee State Parks for a total of only 3 photos?
- Trent Scott
  January 11, 2012
  
  The categories are based on age. We have an 18 and over category and a Junior Shutterbug category for 17 and under.
  - Jamie Clemrons
    January 19, 2012
    
    categories
    
    # Shutterbugs 18 and older
    # 2.Junior Shutterbugs 17 and younger
Ron Clark
January 8, 2012

Are high dynamic range photos considered extensive digital manipulation ?
- Trent Scott
  January 11, 2012
  
  Our general rule is that if it looks like the colors are overly saturated and that it was generated on a computer then, yes, it’s extensive digital manipulation. While HDR is a perfectly legitimate tool to create interpretive, fine-art images, our goal with this contest is to stay within the bounds of more traditional photography.
  
  Some basic manipulation of contrast, color balance and sharpening is allowed.
Matt
January 18, 2012

What do you mean by ENTRY TITLE?
- Trent Scott
  January 18, 2012
  
  Matt – Entry Title is the name that you assign to the photo. It could be something descriptive or something creative. Most titles are simple, like “Lake at sunset.” Hope this helps, and best of luck.
C. C. Parsons
January 18, 2012

Would Dale Hallow Lake be considered a state natural area?
- Trent Scott
  January 20, 2012
  
  Dale Hallow Lake is actually a Kentucky State Park, so it would unfortunately not be considered.
Deb
January 20, 2012

The rules state “amateur photographers only. If you earn your living as a photographer, please refrain from entering.”
I earn a little money from photography. Less than $500. Hardly a living since I have a full time job outside of photography. Am I still allowed to enter?
- Trent Scott
  January 20, 2012
  
  Absolutely, Deb. We consider anyone making 10 percent or more of their income from photography to be a professional, so we would love to have you participate.
Trent Scott
January 20, 2012

Thanks for everyone’s interest in the Shutterbug Contest. We have received lots of questions about which state parks and natural areas can be used. Below is a list that we think will help.

State Parks: http://www.tn.gov/environment/parks/findapark/

Natural Areas: http://www.tn.gov/environment/na/natareas/
Jackie
January 30, 2012

Is there a time frame for when the pictures need to be taken? I ask because I have several photos that were taken last year during my visits to several state parks.
- Trent Scott
  February 20, 2012
  
  We are looking for recent photos, so I believe that something taken with in the last year would be considered.
T. W.
February 9, 2012

I checked the websites and didn’t see Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Is it considered a Kentucky Park because of the visitor center on the Kentucky side? Cumberland Gap is in Tennessee and I always assumed that the park was a Tennessee park. Would it be considered for the contest?
- Trent Scott
  February 20, 2012
  
  It is in Tennessee, but it is a national park and not a state park. We are partnering with Tennessee State Parks on this contest, so we are looking for submissions from their parks. I hope this helps.
Matt
February 20, 2012

Where can I find a list of state parks and their locations?
- Trent Scott
  February 20, 2012
  
  You can find a list of state park and natural areas below:
  
  State Parks: http://www.tn.gov/environment/parks/findapark/
  Natural Areas: http://www.tn.gov/environment/na/natareas/

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