Gallery by the Lake Inc. announces its fifth annual Gulf Coast Bird Photography Competition to celebrate the joys and benefits of birdwatching, draw attention to the diversity of bird life and habitat across the US and showcase the work of wildlife photographers in North America.  The competition culminates in an exhibition from September 29, 2023 to November 25, 2023 in the Gallery by the Lake Inc. gallery space on the second floor of the beautiful Historic City Hall, Lake Charles, Louisiana.  A total of $1,350 in prizes will be awarded across the open and fixed-lens camera categories.

EXHIBITION

September 29, 2023 to November 25, 2023 in the Gallery by the Lake Inc. gallery space on the second floor of the beautiful Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center inLake Charles, Louisiana.  Awards will be announced at the opening reception on September 29.  Accepted artwork is required to remain in the Gallery by the Lake Inc. gallery space for the duration of the exhibition.  In addition, accepted images will be showcased in an online gallery at the https://www.gallerybythelake.org website.

JURORS

The contest will be judged by BWD Magazine editors Dawn Hewitt and Bruce Wunderlich.

CALENDAR

April 28 – Call for entry opens on www.callforentry.org

June 26 - Deadline for entries

July 12 - Notification of Acceptance

September 15 - Deadline for receipt of accepted works

September 29 – Reception and Awards Presentations

November 25 - Exhibition concludes

CATEGORIES

Open Category - all cameras, but especially those with interchangeable lenses

Fixed-lens Camera Category - this is a new category for 2023 to create a competition for photographs taken with less expensive cameras with fixed, non-removable lens

AWARDS for each category

$300 – 1st Place

$100 – 2nd Place

$75 – 3rd Place

Plus

$400 – Best in Show

($1,350 total)

Application Requirements

Photography in which the main subject is a bird or birds.  Digital enhancement should be limited to color, shadow, cropping, and reasonable use of AI sharpening software.  No alteration of original image background is allowed. Photography regarding bird safety and dignity outlined in Audubon Photography guidelines should be followed.

PRESENTATION

Accepted works must framed and back wired with the wire reaching no higher than 3” from the top of the frame.  Image size should not exceed 18” x 24” or equivalent with matted and framed work not larger than 24” x 30”. 

ENTRIES

Entries will be made through www.callforentry.org. Each photographer may submit 3 entries for the standard non-refundable entry fee of $35.  Up to 5 additional entries may be submitted for $5 each. Pictures must have been taken on or after April 1, 2020.

EXHIBITION

September 29, 2023 to November 25, 2023 in the Gallery by the Lake Inc. gallery space in the Historic City Hall, Lake Charles, Louisiana.  Awards will be announced at the opening reception on September 29.  Accepted artwork is required to remain in the Gallery by the Lake Inc. gallery space for the duration of the exhibition. 

DELIVERY OF ACCEPTED WORK

Shipped entries should be suitable to withstand the rigors of packaged shipping.  Please ship to:

Hit Me With Your Best Shot!

Historic City Hall

1001 Ryan Street

Lake Charles, LA 70601

o   Works can be received between August 15 and September 15, 2023

o   Hand deliveries accepted September 5 – 9 and 12 from 10 am to 6 pm

o   Works must be shipped in reusable packing cartons

o   No packing peanuts or popcorn

o   All shipped accepted works must include prepaid return shipping label

o   Late or damaged shipments will be returned freight collect

RETURN OF ACCEPTED WORKS

Return of artwork begins November 30, 2023

Hand delivery pickup available at Historic City Hall from November 29 – December 3 and December 6 – 10, 10 am to 6 pm.

Eligibility Criteria

Photographers of all ages, amateur and professional