Hit Me With Your Best Shot Bird Photography Competition

This is a national competition and exhibition of photographs of birds found in the United States. The opening reception and exhibition will take place on the second floor of the Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center in Lake Charles, LA, as well as in a virtual gallery at www.gallerybythelake.org. The competition opens on April 10, with a deadline for entries on May 31. Notification of acceptance is June 15, and the deadline for receipt of accepted works is July 17. The reception and awards presentation is August 20 at the Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center in Lake Charles, LA. The exhibition concludes October 16.

Category awards are $300 for first place, $200 for second place, and $100 for third place, plus a prize of $150 in the youth (age 17 and under) category. Fifty (50) photos will be selected for the exhibit, and award winners will be selected from these 50 pieces. Entrants must be 13 years or older. You may enter up to 3 photos per non-refundable initial entry fee of $35. Up to 6 additional images may be entered for an additional media fee of $5 per photo. Minimum 3 images and maximum 9 images required.

Digital enhancements of images are allowed, but should be limited to color, shadow, and cropping. No alteration of the original image background is allowed. No cloning in or out of photo is allowed. Photography regarding bird safety and dignity outlined in Audubon's Guide to Ethical Bird Photography and Videography should be followed. Accepted works must be framed and back-wired. Image size should not exceed 18" x 24" or equivalent. Matted and framed work should not be larger than 24" x 30" or the equivalent of 720 sq. in. Shipped entries should be suitable to the rigors of packaged shipping. Hand deliveries are accepted July 12 to July 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Return of artwork begins October 19. A gallery commission fee of 20% will be assessed on the sale of photographs during the exhibition. Contact: Gallery by the Lake, Inc., [email protected], (337) 842-6820.