Calendar Photo Contest Guidelines In-Depth
General
- Images MUST be photographed in North Dakota.
- We are looking for dynamic images that depict North Dakota Outdoors.
- Images may show wildlife behavior, portraits of wildlife in their natural habitats, plant life, natural landscapes, or people interacting with nature.
- We like to use a variety of photographs to highlight North Dakota through the seasons. Mammals, birds, fish, scenics, native plants and wildflowers, and hunting and fishing recreation, are all appropriate subjects. Winter photos are always in short supply.
- Please do not submit photos of animals in captivity, such as zoos or game farms; bison or feral horses; pets, or livestock; invasive plant or animal species.
- If the Department determines that generative AI was used in the creation or processing of an image, the image will be disqualified.
Technical Requirements, Naming Convention, Post-Processing, and Watermarks
File type and quality requirements:
- Format: Images must be uploaded as .tiff, .jpg, or .jpeg.
- Dimensions: Photos must be horizontal and at least 3499 pixels wide by 2762 pixels tall at 300ppi. Larger images are acceptable and may improve quality.
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- Aspect Ratio: Images should maintain an aspect ratio of 11.663 inches by 9.206 inches.
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- File Size: Maximum file size is 50 megabytes per image.
- Color: Images should be in RGB or sRGB format.
Naming convention:
Images should follow a naming convention of Lastname-Firstname-Photo-Title. Example: Smith-Sally-Mule-Deer-Fawn.
Post-processing:
All photos should accurately reflect the subject matter and scene as it appeared.
Photos that have been digitally altered beyond standard optimization will not be considered.
If the Department determines that AI was used in the creation or processing of an image, the image will be disqualified.
Acceptable changes include
- adjustments to color, exposure (brightness, contrast, levels, curves);
- removal of dust, scratches, and dirt;
- cropping;
- lens corrections.
The use of HDR (high dynamic range) where multiple exposures of the same scene are combined and similar processes for extended depth of field are permitted, but such modifications must be disclosed.
Changes that are not acceptable are
- composites (combining more than one photo not of the same scene),
- the addition, duplication, deletion, or moving of objects in the photos,
- or the use of artistic filters and effects.
- Examples of artistic filters and effects include but are not limited to watercolor, neon glow, stained glass and others which do not show the scene as it occurred in nature.
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- Please do not sharpen images.
Watermarks:
Entrants who submit watermarked images will be requested to provide non-watermarked images if photo is chosen for publication.
Tips
Don't submit photos of domestic animals, livestock, feral horses or captive wildlife.
Do submit sharp images.
(click on an image to enlarge)
Don't submit images with a lot of "noise".
(click on an image to enlarge)
