Surry County is Blooming! Now is the time to get out there and enjoy the beauty of the season. What better way to preserve the memory of that beauty, and to share that beauty with friends and neighbors than to grab that camera and take the shot! A great way to share your favorite Surry County Garden photograph is to enter it in our Surry County Garden Photo Contest!
A panel of judges will select the winner from each of three categories (see Contest Guidelines below). The winners will each receive a $25 gift certificate redeemable at a store in Surry County. Winning photographs will be posted on the Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers of Surry County Facebook page and you, the photographer, will be credited.
Here are the details:Contest Guidelines
The photo contest is open to the public. No entry fee required.All photos should be taken in Surry County.
Submissions are due by September 30, 2021.
Photographs should be entered, and will be judged, in one of three categories:- Ornamental plants* What’s in your ornamental garden? Flowers, ornamental grasses, shrubs, and trees. Take a close-up of that beautiful flower or a shot of a gorgeous floral arrangement you’ve created from a bunch of flowers and greenery. How about a picture of a stunning garden design or landscape or a picture of your planter or raised garden bed? These are just a few suggestions. Let your creativity guide you!
- Edible plants* Are you growing fruits and / or vegetables in your garden? Fruiting trees and shrubs display beautiful blooms before bearing colorful fruits. While some vegetables and herbs may flower, the foliage of others can be colorful or interesting in texture. Consider visiting our Surry County Farmers Market to get a sense of the colors, shapes, and textures of Surry County’s wonderful produce and the photographic opportunities it provides.
- Wildlife in the garden* Our gardens attract all kinds of wildlife including butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Seeing wildlife in our gardens not only brings us joy, but ensures us that our gardens are serving an important ecological function!
You may submit up to 3 photographs in each category.
For reasons of privacy, please do not submit photos that include images people, even if they are your relatives.
Your name, address, and telephone number must accompany each photograph submitted. Also include the photo category (ornamental, edible, wildlife) to which the photo should be submitted.
Ways to submit your photos:
Email your photo(s) to:
surrymastergardener@gmail.com
or
Mail or hand-deliver your photo(s) to:
ATTN MGV Photo Contest
N.C. Cooperative Extension, Surry County Center
915 E Atkins St #300
Dobson, NC 27017
- JPG or PNG file formats
- A minimum of 2048 pixels wide
- File size of no more than 5 MB
Selection of Winners
A panel of judges will select the winner from each category. Winners will be announced in October 2021.
Judging Criteria
Note: Photographs will be judged on composition, use of color, and aesthetic value. Decisions of the judges are final.- Technical Characteristics
- Focus, sharpness, detail, depth of field
- Color, brightness, contrast, saturation, use of light
- Content & Subject Matter (does it have a unique point of view?)
- Composition
- What draws the eye?
- Does it tell a story?
- Does it have balance and visual impact?
All photographs remain the property of the photographer. By entering their photographs, contestants grant permission to the Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers to reproduce photos to be used for displays, publications, social media, or educational purposes of Extension Master Gardener volunteers. Photographers will be credited with each use.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the photo contest, email surrymastergardener@gmail.com or call the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Surry County Center at (336) 401-8025.
