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

East Texas State Fair Reminder

Just a reminder; the East Texas State Fair is September 19th-28th.  If you plan to enter the Photography Contest, the deadline is in August.  For all of the rules and categories, just visit the website. 

Parents, you can enter this too!!  :-)

This is not a 4-H event, but it sure is fun and the experience would look great in a record book.  ;-)

913 Camp 2014

913 Camp info.  Passing this on from Willie.  If you have not received the summer newsletter from the Extension Office, please let me know and I'll forward it to you.  :-)  

Youth 912 Camp Gets A New Name… Youth 913 Camp is Just Around the Corner

Our 3rd Annual Youth Camp will be held on July 22nd – 25th at the Cherokee County Expo Center in Jacksonville.  This camp will follow a similar format as the two previous years.  It will be a hands-on day camp for kids ages 9 to 13 years old from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day. This camp is meant to be an introduction to some of the major projects that 4-H has to offer.  Though the final schedule has not been set, the topics covered will range from Livestock & Animal Projects (large & small), Dog Projects, Food & Fashion Projects, Entomology & Horticulture Projects, Shooting Sports Projects (Archery & Rifle), Public Speaking Projects, Consumer Decision Making Projects and Water Education & Appreciation. 

Meals, snacks and refreshments will be provided.  You may pre-register for this camp by contacting the County Extension Office at (903) 683-5416. We will then send you the registration form that you can either mail in or drop off in person by the registration deadline (July 16th). This camp is open to non-4-H members as well as 4-H members.  In fact, if you are a member and planning to attend, you are encouraged to bring a non-4-H member with you to camp.  

Enrollment fees for this camp are as follows:
Non-Member: $90.00
Current 4-H Member: $60.00

If a family will have multiple siblings attending camp, a declining schedule will be applied to each subsequent enrollee.  First child enrolls at full rate; each additional child enrolls at $10 less than the child before them.  Example: Family with three non-members attending would be $90+$80+$70=a savings of $30.00.

Remember the deadline to register is July 16th at 5:00 p.m.  A late registration is open on the 17th and 18th fee of $15.00 will assessed to each enrollee.  
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Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.

East Texas State Fair 2014 Photo Contest

As the school year is beginning to wrap up and everyone looking forward to summer vacation, let's not forget that this also means the time to enter the photography contest at the East Texas State Fair is also approaching.  Keep those camera's handy this summer, and take A  LOT of photos.   :-)  Don't forget, this is done by age division, and adults may enter as well.

The Photography Contest information has been updated and posted on the ETSF Website – www.etstatefair.com

·         Find all the rules for the contest

·         Find registration and submission information

·         Register online by clicking Register under Items.  Please register online by August 22nd.

You will submit your entries to the East Texas State Fair Office August 25-29 or September 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.

Please have the Photo Identification form printed, completed, and attached to the back of your photo.  When you bring your entries, you will complete entry tags and pay the entry fees for your photos.

Other Contests you may be interested in:

Creative Arts Contest – Pre-Register by September 3; Submit entries September 4 (3:30 to 6:00) or September 6 (9:00 to 1:00).

Horticulture Show – Register by September 12; Submit entries September 26.

Fun Photo Contests – More info coming soon to the website – “Show Us Your Selfie” and “Funny Holiday Photos”

Livestock Show – September 19-28; Register by August 29

Pasture and Wildlife Plant Identification Contest – September 19; FFA & 4-H Teams should register by September 13

Details about these contests and more are on the ETSF website.

Another photography contest, and adults may enter! :-)

The Texas Association of Extension 4-H Agents (TAE4-HA), a professional Extension organization for County Extension Agents, Specialists, and Extension Administrators for the purpose of professionalism, collaboration, and youth development. The members from District IV delegation are hosting a photography contest for youth and adults to provide scholarship funds for district level 4-H leadership events, such as Fall Focus, District Lockin and Leadership Lab.

ALL photos must be received by the District IV Photography Committee Chair by 5 p.m. on May 15, 2014.

Late entries will not be accepted.

Addressed to:

ATTN: D4TAE4-HA Photography Contest

C/O Dr. Tamra McGaughy

10056 Marsh Ln, Suite B-101

Dallas Texas, 75229

Contest participation will cost $10.00 for the first photo and $1.00 for each additional photo per individual. Payment can be check or money orders only and should be mailed with photo submissions. Payment should be made out to D4AE4-HA Photography Contest. Photos will not be consider as an entry until payment is received.

See the following for more details. All questions regarding this contest can be sent to Dr. Tamra McGaughy, District IV Photography Committee Chair at tdmcgaughy@ag.tamu.edu or 214-904-3061.

Purpose 

The Texas Association of Extension 4-H Agents (TAE4-HA), a professional Extension organization for County Extension Agents, Specialists, and Extension Administrators for the purpose of professionalism, collaboration, and youth development. The members from District IV delegation voted to host a photography contest to provide scholarship funds for district level 4-H leadership events, such as Fall Focus, District Lockin and Leadership Lab. 

Contest Dates and Submissions 

ALL photos must be received by the District IV Photography Committee Chair by 5 p.m. on May 15, 2014. 

Late entries will not be accepted. Addressed to: ATTN: D4AE4-HA Photography Contest, C/O Dr. Tamra McGaughy, 10056 Marsh Ln, Suite B-101, Dallas Texas, 75229. 

Contest Categories 

This contest will compliment the Texas 4-H Photography Contest categories. Contestants may submit one photo per category. Category descriptions can be found at: http://texas4-.tamu.edu/photography_contest under the State 4-H Contest heading. 

 ANIMALS - DOMESTIC 

 ANIMALS - WILDLIFE 

 CATCH-ALL 

 DETAILS & MACRO 

 DIGITAL DARKROOM 

 DOMINANT COLOR 

 ELEMENTS OF DESIGN 

 FOOD 

 MARINE/AQUATIC 

 NATURE & LANDSCAPE 

 NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY 

  PEOPLE 

 PLANT/FLORA 

 THEME: What is Your WHY? 

Age Divisions 

Participation will be divided into four divisions Age must be calculated as of January 1, 2014. 4-H membership is not required for participation in this contest, but participants must reside in Texas. 

 Juniors: Youth ages 8 to 10 

 Intermediates: Youth ages 11 to 13 

 Seniors: Youth ages 14 to 18 

 Adults: Any person 19 and older, amateur photographers only 

Contest Cost 

Contest participation will cost $10.00 for the first photo and $1.00 for each additional photo per individual. 

Payment can be check or money orders only and should be mailed with photo submissions. Payment should be made out to D4AE4-HA Photography Contest. Photos will not be consider as an entry until payment is received. 

Contest Prizes 

Awards will be given for the best photo in each age division per category and the best overall all photo per age division (total 60 prizes). All winning photos will be on display during the 2014 State TAE4-HA Conference in San Angelo and will be kept for further viewing at the discretion of the committee. All other photos will be returned to the local county Extension office. Division Winners will receive $100, Category Winners (per age division) will receive 50% of the category proceeds or $10, which ever is greater. 

Contest Results 

All winners will be notified no later than July 1, 2014. 

Photography Contest Guidelines 

 Submit photos consistent with the content guidelines for each division. All photos must have been taken during the previous year. Category descriptions can be found at: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/photography_contest under the State 4-H Contest heading. 

 Photos will only be considered for contest prizes if they meet the blue quality standard. Red quality and white quality photos will not be eligible for top prizes. See the above link for judging criteria standards. 

 Each contestant may enter one photo per category. 

 Youth are allowed to enter a photo previously submitted in a county, district, or state level contest during the 2013– 2014 4-H year. 

 Adult may also enter this contest. (Amateur photographers only). Photos must have been taken in the last 18 months. 

 Each photo must be the original work of the person submitting the photo. 

 Photos must not be edited, altered, or digitally enhanced. Slight computer-enhanced photos are allowed – such as cropping, trimming, and red eye reduction – but photos altered by using computer graphics or color changing,. Extreme Photo-shopping will be disqualified, unless permitted in the select category description. 

 Entrants are not permitted to place borders or frames around their images. Do not place watermarks, signatures, dates, or copyright notice on their images. 

 Photos may be submitted as color, black and white, or sepia tone. 

 All photos must be permanently mounted on a non-frame board that may be of 5mm foam board or mat board no larger than 8 ” X 10″ but no smaller than 5“ X 7”. Masonite, photo folders, corrugated cardboard or thin poster board is not acceptable. Double faced tape, glue or rubber cement is not allowed for mounting purposes. An adhesive spray or special adhesive board is best. Mat Framing (of any kind) is not allowed and will result in disqualification. 

 All photos must be submitted with a photo label on the back giving the following information: contestant name, age (as of January 1, 2014), county of residence, and category entered. 

 No Photo Stories will be accepted. Individual photos only, please. 

 All photos must be received by May 15, 2014. 

 Please contact Dr. Tamra McGaughy at tdmcgaughy@ag.tamu.edu or 214-904-3061, with any questions.

Best in Show for Jr. and Sr.

I do apologize for this being late, but wanted to make sure it was  posted.  There was a "glitch" and some photos were judged a little late.  However, we have the scores now, and we are very pleased to announce that Best in Show for the Jr. division is Kendall Filer for her entry in " Details/Macro".  Kendall is with Cloverleaf 4-H Club.

David Wingard won Best in Show for the Senior division with his entry in "Nature/Landscape".

We are very proud of all of the participants.  Keep taking lots of pictures, and don't stop having fun and learning.