4-H/FFA Agrigultural Photography Contest

**  This is NOT the regular photography project contest**

Website:  http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/ffa4hphoto

The Texas State Preservation Board in partnership with the Texas 4-H Youth Development Program are pleased to present an annual photography contest for members of the Texas 4-H and FFA Programs. This photography contest allows 4-H and FFA members to showcase Texas Agriculture through photos.

A select number of the photographs will be displayed in the Texas State Capitol Agriculture Museum starting in January 2015 before the opening of the Legislative Session. Selected photographs will feature a place card with the photographer's name, city, and age. Photos will remain on display for one year in the Agriculture Museum.

Entry Period:  September 19, 2014 to December 10, 2014

Entry Location:  http://fs4.formsite.com/state4h/4hffa/index.html

2014-2015 Guidelines Are Available

The rules and guidelines for this year are available.  These are the rules for State, but County and District will also follow these rules.

However, there is no cost to enter the county level and everyone from Pee Wee to Senior may participate at the county level. I would encourage you to enter all 15 categories at the county level.  :-) 

There will be a small fee to enter the district level.  Last year it was $8 for the first photo and 50 cents for each entry after that.

Only Seniors, age 14 and up, may enter the state level.  The cost for that is $10.00 per photo.  

You do not have to enter advance in the photo contest.  That means you can enter district without having participated at county.  However, I would strongly encourage you to enter each division to receive feedback from the judges at each level.  This would definitely be a good idea for the Seniors wanting to compete at State.

***  Please not the following changes in this year's rules***

Theme:  The theme is "Inspiration". This year the theme will focus on pictures of subjects that move and inspire YOU.  Photos can include photos of leaders, mentors, family, friends, things in your community, school, church, or across the country and world.  Examples include images of family members, a leader/teacher or someone that you look up to, something in nature, or things that give you daily inspiration.

Changes:  Due to past issues with photographs not be sized or formatted correctly, the contest now has a size criteria.  All photos must be 8x10 in size. Photos should be at least 800 pixels by 1000 pixels. The ideal 8×10 quality is 2400 pixels by 3000 pixels, which is the same as an 8×10 photo at 300 dpi (resolution). Higher variations of the 8×10 ratio are allowed but the final file size may not be larger than 2,048k (2MB).  County Extension Agents are encouraged to work with volunteers and project leaders to stress the importance of instructing 4-H members on this basic photography skill.  

Remember that photos taken between January 1, 2014 through April 2015 are eligible for entry.

There will be a Workshop on October 2nd, 6:30, at the Extension Office for all of those interested. 

We have a workshop!! :-)

The first photography workshop for the 2014-2015 4-H year will be held October 2nd at 6:30.  We will meet at the Extension Office in Rusk. Tabitha will go over the rules/guidelines set by the State 4-H office.  We HOPE to have this years Theme and any changes that have been made by then, but if not it is pretty much the same each year, so will go over last year's rules.  

Tabitha will also cover basic photography tips with the kids. Remember, any photo that the children have taken since January 2014 is eligible, so if you have already taken photos this year bring them with you and let Tabitha take a look and give you some feedback.  :-)

If you would like to familiarize yourself with last year's rules you may do so here: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/files/2014/01/13-14_Photo_Rulesjan14.pdf