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GAIF PHOTO CONTEST CALL FOR ENTRIES

June 10, 2010

GAIF PHOTO CONTEST CALL FOR ENTRIES
Do you have a photograph of an Irish or American-Irish location, activity or event? Then the Great American Irish Festival Photo Contest is for you! And, like everything else about the Festival, this year's contest will be bigger and better than ever. In addition to the Popular Winner voted on by festival-goers, we've added a juried competition judged by three local experts: Sharon Kane Zohne, from the marketing department at Mohawk Valley Community College; Gale R. Farley, Associate Professor of Photographic Technology at Herkimer County Community College; and Michael P. Doherty, veteran photographer for the Utica Observer-Dispatch.

3RD ANNUAL GREAT AMERICAN IRISH FESTIVAL PHOTO CONTEST: RULES AND ENTRY FORM

SPONSOR
The Contest is sponsored by the Great American Irish Festival in collaboration with the Irish Cultural and Historical Society of the Mohawk Valley.

CONTESTANT ELIGIBILITY
The Photo Contest is open to anyone except members of the Board of Directors, GAIF Committee, festival sponsors, prize-sponsoring companies, judges, and their immediate families. Only the photographer has the right to submit a photograph, and each entry form must be signed by the photographer. Prizes will be awarded to the photographers.

ENTERING THE CONTEST
To enter, the contestant may submit up to 3 qualifying photographs taken by him or her. Each entry consists of a single image and an entry form. There is no entry fee.
Entries may be submitted to the Great American Irish Festival Photo Contest, c/o
Deni Finch-Frederick, 442 N. Prospect Street, Herkimer, NY 13350, no later than July 6, 2010. Entries should be packed with appropriate cardboard stiffeners to protect them. The sponsor takes no responsibility for entries lost, delayed or damaged.
By entering the contest, all entrants grant the sponsor the right to reproduce, distribute, display, and create derivative works of the entry (along with a name credit) including, but not limited to: display at GAIF or ICHSMV events; publication of select entries; or online publications highlighting entries or winners of the Contest. Entries will not be returned.
By signing the entry form, the photographer consents to the entry of his or her submission and agrees to abide by the contest rules.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PHOTOS
Entries must show an Irish or American-Irish event, activity or location, and must include a person or people. Each photo must be at least 8 inches by 10 inches and no larger than 11 inches by 14 inches and must be mounted and matted.
Entries must be solely the original work of the entrant. Entry must be submitted by a single individual; joint/group entries are ineligible. Entries that have been previously published or won a prize in any other contest are ineligible.
Montages and composite images are ineligible. If the entry contains any material that sponsor and/or its agencies deem, in their sole discretion, to be morally objectionable, inappropriate or unfit, such entry will be disqualified. When photographing the work of others, it must be as an object in its environment and not a full-frame close-up of another person's art, logo or other copyrighted material.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PHOTOS
Entries must be color or black-and-white photographic prints only. Winners may be required to submit original negative, slide or digital file for reproduction purposes. Ink-jet computer printouts and color copies will not be accepted. Please provide photos of the highest available resolution and quality.
Excessive use of digital editing (as determined by sponsor/judges in their sole discretion) is prohibited. Minor digital enhancement is permitted, but images that have been significantly modified will be disqualified.

JUDGING CRITERIA AND WINNER SELECTION/NOTIFICATION
On or about July 12, 2010 the winning photographs will be selected by a panel of judges selected from independent, professional photographers, artists, professors, and Festival staff. The First Place Winner will be awarded $100, Second Place Winner $50, and Third Place Winner $25. All Winners of juried awards will also receive two (2) weekend passes to the 2010 Festival.
All entries will be displayed in the Cultural Building during the Festival and, in addition to the juried winners, one Popular Winner will be chosen by vote of Festival visitors. The Popular Winner will be awarded $100 and will be notified after the final day of the Festival.
All decisions are final and binding.


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3RD ANNUAL GREAT AMERICAN IRISH FESTIVAL PHOTO CONTEST: ENTRY FORM

NAME: _________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________________________________
CITY, STATE, ZIP: ______________________________________________________________________
PHONE: _________________________________ EMAIL: ______________________________________
PHOTO TITLE (if any):____________________________________________________________________
WHERE TAKEN: _______________________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE: __________________________________________________________________________

An entry form MUST BE securely taped to the back of EACH photograph submitted. The Great American Irish Festival cannot be held responsible for lost or unidentified photos. Photographs submitted will not be returned and become the property of The Great American Irish Festival. Your signature confirms your acceptance and compliance with all of the contest rules. Entries must be received by July 6, 2010.