2024 Hit Me With Your Best Shot! Bird Photography Competition and Exhibition

Gallery by the Lake Inc. announces its sixth annual "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" Bird Photography Competition to celebrate the joys and benefits of birdwatching, draw attention to the diversity of bird life and habitat around the world, and showcase the work of wildlife photographers in North America. A total of $1,400 in prizes will be awarded across the open and fixed-lens camera categories.

The exhibition runs September 27, 2024 to November 30, 2024 in the second-floor gallery space of the Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Awards will be announced at the opening reception on September 27 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Accepted artwork is required to remain in the gallery space for the duration of the exhibition, even if sold. Accepted images will also be showcased in an online gallery at https://www.gallerybythelake.org. The contest will be judged by BWD Magazine editors Dawn Hewitt and Bruce Wunderlich.

Photography must have the main subject as a bird or birds from anywhere around the world, taken on or after April 1, 2021. 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. Accepted works must be 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". Photographers of all ages, amateur and professional, are eligible. Each photographer may submit 5 entries for $35, with up to 3 additional entries for $5 each. Entries are made through www.callforentry.org. Accepted works can be received between August 13 and September 13, 2024, with hand deliveries accepted September 3–6 and September 10–13 from 10 am to 6 pm. Return of artwork begins December 3, 2024, with hand delivery pickup available December 3–7 and December 10–14 from 10 am to 6 pm.

Awards: Open Category and Fixed-lens Camera Category each offer $300 (1st Place), $100 (2nd Place), $75 (3rd Place), plus $450 Best in Show ($1,400 total). The Fixed-lens Camera Category is only for photographs taken with bridge cameras with non-interchangeable lenses such as Canon PowerShot SX70HS, Nikon Coolpix P1000, and Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000.