Gallery by the Lake Inc. announces its sixth annual "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" Bird Photography Competition to celebrate the joys and benefits of birdwatching, draw attention to the diversity of bird life and habitat around the world and showcase the work of wildlife photographers in North America. A total of $1,400 in prizes will be awarded across the open and fixed-lens camera categories.

EXHIBITION

September 27th, 2024 to November 30th, 2024 in the beautiful second-floor gallery space of the Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  Awards will be announced at the opening reception on September 27th.  Accepted artwork is required to remain in the gallery space for the duration of the exhibition, even if sold.  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 12 – Call for entry opens on www.callforentry.org

June 28 - Deadline for entries

July 12 - Notification of Acceptance

September 13 - Deadline for receipt of accepted works

September 27 - Reception and Awards Presentations

November 30 - Exhibition concludes

CATEGORIES

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

Fixed-lens Camera Category – only for photographs taken with less expensive, so-called “bridge” cameras with non-interchangeable lenses.  Examples are the Canon PowerShot SX70HS, Nikon Coolpix P1000, and Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000.  Photographs entered into this category erroneously will be removed from consideration without refund of entry fees.

AWARDS for each category

$300 – 1st Place

$100 – 2nd Place

$75 – 3rd Place

Plus

$450 – Best in Show

($1,400 total)

Application Requirements

Photography in which the main subject is a bird or birds from anywhere around the world.  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 5 entries for the standard non-refundable entry fee of $35.  Up to 3 additional entries may be submitted for $5 each. Pictures must have been taken on or after April 1, 2021.

EXHIBITION

September 27, 2024 to November 30, 2024 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 27 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.  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  Accepted works can be received between August 13 and September 13, 2024

o   Hand deliveries accepted September 3 – 6 and September 10 - 13 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 a prepaid return shipping label for each box

o   Late or damaged shipments will be returned freight collect

RETURN OF ACCEPTED WORKS

Return of artwork begins December 3rd, 2024

Hand delivery pickup available at Historic City Hall from December 3rd to 7th and December 10th to 14th, 10 am to 6 pm.

Eligibility Criteria

Photographers of all ages, amateur and professional