The 34th Annual Heard Nature Photography Contest. The most important thing to remember is that this is a NATURE photography contest. You may have some beautiful images but if they don’t fit the “Nature” genre they won’t do well in this contest. Nature Photography refers to a wide range of photography devoted to displaying natural elements such as landscapes, wildlife, plants and close-ups of natural scenes and textures.

CONTEST DIVISIONS
Student Senior Division: For anyone ages 15-18.
Student Junior Division: For anyone 14 years of age and younger.
Adult Division: For anyone 19 years of age and older.
Both amateurs and professionals are encouraged to enter.

II. CONTEST CATEGORIES
Note: You may submit a maximum of 3 entries in each of the 10 categories.

A. WILD NATURE: These categories represent nature unaffected by man’s presence. Within your images, there should be no indication of the “handof-man” in any form.
1. Wildlife: Non-captive animals in their natural habitat. Examples include: mammals, birds, marine life, reptiles,  amphibians and insects.
2. Nature, Other: Other natural objects in their natural habitat. Examples include: Plants, flowers, trees, rocks, shells, minerals, fungi and lichens.
3. Nature Scenics: Expansive views that may include landscapes, seascapes, cloudscapes, mountains, forests, deserts, oceans (below or above the surface), waterfalls, sunrise and sunsets.

B. SHARED WORLD: These categories are nature images which may include the influence of man. Although man’s influence is included, it should NOT be the focal point of the subject. For instance, architectural images or man’s interaction with man should not be included.
4. Animals: Images of any animal and may include zoo, aquarium, farm or captive animals.However, no household pets will be allowed in the adult division. Image may be a portrait or group, and should show animal interaction, or display
animal behavior.
5. Flora: Images of any plant life. Examples include flowers, plants, gardens, trees, and may include any cultivated plant life.
6. Shared Scenics: Expansive views of landscapes, seascapes, cloudscapes, mountains, forests, deserts, oceans, etc. which include evidence of the hand-of-man. The focus is to be on nature; the ‘hand-of-man’ (fences, barns, bridges, etc) is not to be the subject.
7. Household Pets: (Youth only) The pet must be the principal subject.

C. ARTISTIC and CREATIVE
INTERPRETATION: These images include elements of design: line, shape, pattern, texture, form, and perspective, in addition to creative composites and creations from the digital darkroom.
8. Art in Nature: Naturally occurring patterns, lines, shapes, and forms of animals, objects, or plants in nature; also may include macro and extreme close-up images.
9. Creative Interpretation: A nature-related image created with traditional or digital tools (digital darkroom) that is intended to express the photographer’s artistic impression of the subject. Examples include: Creative blurs, multiple
exposures, abstracts etc. Place a 4×6 print showing the original photo, prior to manipulation, to a lower corner on the back of the mat board.

D. NATURE EXPERIENCES AT THE HEARD:
10. This category includes images taken on the Heard grounds, including birds, insects and other animals as well as flora and fauna. Images should NOT include the hand of man.