Calling all amateur photographers!

Download Application

Fax 815-337-9506/Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it /PO Box 352 Woodstock IL 60098

Fourth Annual TLC Art of the Land Photography Contest

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County (TLC) invites amateur photographers to participate in a unique photo contest meant to highlight the inspiring nature of TLC’s land preservation work. The contest goal is to showcase photographs that reveal the beautiful and immense natural and cultural diversity found throughout McHenry County.

TLC has worked with over 60 landowners to preserve over 1800 acres across McHenry County.  Protected properties range from 1 acre to 250 acres in size. Preserved lands include high quality wetland and woodland habitat, farmland, scenic vistas, historic farmsteads and similar valuable land resources.

The Land Conservancy will match each participating photographer with a specific TLC site.  Each site has a unique character and story. All photographs submitted must be taken either of properties on which TLC holds a conservation easement, land TLC owns or stewards, or of people who work with TLC for the purpose of preserving their land for the benefit of future generations.

Only original photographs taken for this purpose are eligible.

*****

Judging will be done by a panel including TLC board members, artists and photographers.  First, second and third place awards will be given in the amounts of $100, $75 and $50. Other submissions will be selected for recognition by TLC.

The selected images will be shown at TLC’s Art of the Land Benefit in September 2012 at the Starline Gallery in Harvard, IL.  TLC will frame the selected photographs for display at the benefit. The selected photographs will also be posted on TLC’s website and may be used in TLC publications to highlight the beauty of the land and the people who love the land.

How to Enter

• Contact TLC to inform us of your interest by telephone at 815-337-9502 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You will receive specific maps, directions to your assigned property, and landowner contact information.
• Tag your completed photos with Art of the Land Photo Contest – TLC12, then mail or deliver both your final printed and digital photo entries to the TLC office at Hennen Conservation Area, 4622 Dean St., Woodstock, IL.

DEADLINE IS 5:00 PM ON FRIDAY, August 24, 2012

Contest Rules

1. Entries are limited to color or black-and-white images. Images must be submitted as a print and in a digital format. Print images must be 8 x 10 inches and unmounted. Digital files must be a minimum of 2 megapixels or 1600 x 1200 dpi.

2. One of the goals of the contest is to showcase images of the land and natural resources as seen through the eyes of photographers and their cameras. Only original photographs taken for this purpose are eligible. Elements cannot be deleted or added to the photograph but photos may be cropped and enhanced in a photo software program so long as the manipulation is not so extreme as to significantly distort the image or create a “computer art” image. Examples of extreme manipulation include, but are not limited to, watercoloring, oil painting, pencil renderings, cross processing, etc. If, in the opinion of the judges, software manipulation is extreme, the photo will be disqualified. Photos whose subject matter is a manmade object, e.g. windmill or building, will not be eligible for an award. Photos that include manmade objects but whose primary subject is the land, plants or wildlife, are eligible.

3. Each entry must be labeled with the photographer’s name, address, daytime phone number and e-mail address (if applicable), as well as the date taken and location. Adhering a label to the back of the print, vs. writing directly on the back of it, is preferred as ink often smears. Images submitted digitally must include the required information in the email.

4. A note must accompany entries specifying the total number of images submitted. NOTE: NO MORE THAN THREE (3) IMAGES WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM ANY CONTESTANT.

5. Entries must be received by 5 p.m. on August 24, 2012.

6. Winners will be announced after the judging is completed at TLC’s Art of the Land benefit in September 2012.

7. All decisions made by the judges will be final.

8. TLC board members, employees and members of their immediate households may submit photos, but will not be eligible for the prizes.

9. All submitted photos must be free of claims and rights of third parties.

10.  The winning photographer understands and agrees that The Land Conservancy has the right to display, use, reproduce and make other use of the photo in its own publications or to make the photograph available for publicity purposes or any and all other non profit purposes, including offering them for sale as part of a fundraiser, to promote The Land Conservancy and its mission in perpetuity.

11. Participants must be amateur photographers, defined as earning less than a maximum of $2000 annually from their photographic work.

12.  Participants must be 18 years or older as of the date of submission of entry, or must have permission from a parent in writing to participate.

13.  Participants do not need to be residents of McHenry County.

Please review these rules before entering. And good luck!