We're already getting online entries in the Homes & Gardens of the Northwest's Garden Photo Contest. You can upload your entry here between now and Nov. 27. At the same time, you can also see the other entries.
A few hopeful winners want to better understand what the rule "no digital alterations" means.
The short answer: Cropping is fine and so is reasonable contrast and exposure adjustments. You can adjust color to a reasonable degree, but grass should be on the spectrum of yellow to green, not orange or pink.
Altering the reality of a scene by removing objects through cloning or obliterating by burning or dodging is not allowed. A distracting element in a scene may be cropped out. If it can't be cropped, leave it in.
According to the official rules, manipulation of digital images is subject to the following restrictions: Image elements may not be altered, as in removing or replacing aspects of the original scene. Only enhancements of the original file, such as lightening, darkening or color correcting are allowed. Any image submitted must come from only one frame and not be a composite of multiple frames blended together.
The last sentence means the original photo must be from one single frame, rather than blending multiple frames of various exposures into one. The blending method of HDR (high dynamic range) processing is not allowed, though lightening of shadows and darkening of highlights through an HDR tool on a single frame is acceptable. It's a form of exposure control.
If in doubt, think of the term "gilding the lily." A lily is beautiful on its own. Capture the natural beauty and forget about trying to make it more than it is by unduly altering reality.
Here's more info about the 2017 Homes & Gardens of the Northwest's Garden Photo Contest:
There's no theme; it's shooter's choice. As long as the original photo is taken in a garden -- public or private -- in the Pacific Northwest in 2017, it's eligible to win.
There will be two winners: One selected by staff members of The Oregonian and Homes & Gardens of the Northwest and one voted on by the public, starting Dec. 1. The winning photos and some runners-up will appear in the last issue of the Homes & Gardens of the Northwest and displayed on OregonLive.com.
Ten images will be selected by us as finalists and will be eligible for your online vote Dec. 1-8 as the People's Choice winner.
More than 600 images were entered in the Homes & Gardens of the Northwest's Garden Photo Contest last year, and we thank all of the photographers for participating.
To enter, submit your original digital photo, between Nov. 10 and Nov. 27. It's quick and easy, and you can see the other entries.
If you have a printed photograph, have it scanned and made into a digital image to submit online. Large grocery store chains and copy service stores will scan and digitize your image onto a flashdrive that you can use to transfer the digital image to your computer. With that, you can go online and enter the contest. We can no longer accept printed submissions.
RULES to get you launched (see full terms and conditions):
- Photos must be taken over the last year, (since Jan. 1, 2017) in a garden in the Northwest.
- Amateur photographers only; no professional photos accepted.
- Maximum of two photos per person.
- No digital alteration of photos is allowed.
- If your photo is of a private garden and you are not the owner, you must have permission from the owner. Also you must have permission from people depicted in the photos.
- JPEG format is preferred and images of 2,500 pixels on the longer dimension are best.
- The judges' decision is final. Judges are staff members of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Homes & Gardens of the Northwest. Staff members of The Oregonian/OregonLive and their families are not eligible to enter this contest.
- All photos become property of Oregon Media Group and cannot be returned. Entry constitutes permission to print photos and gardener/photographer information in Homes & Gardens of the Northwest and to display on OregonLive.com without further compensation.
- Winners will be notified by Dec. 12; winning photos are expected to be printed in the Saturday, Dec. 30, edition of the Homes & Gardens of the Northwest.
- Entries will be judged on photographic merit.
TIPS AND IDEAS
- Usually, morning or late afternoon light is best. Avoid shooting between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when overhead light is flat.
- Look for repetition of shapes, reflections, lovely designs in nature.
- Get close to your subject.
- Look for clean backgrounds.
Good luck!
-- Janet Eastman
jeastman@oregonian.com
503-799-8739
@janeteastman