1. Submitted photographs must be taken within the state boundaries of Illinois or upon its waters.
2. Submitted photographs must not have been entered in past Images of Illinois Contest.
3. Three Classes: Adult, Teen (13-17), or Youth (12 and under).
4. Two Categories:  A) People   B) Places    C) Nature  D) Altered Images
   • Judges reserve the right to determine if a photograph is appropriately categorized and change a photograph’s category accordingly.
   • Cropped photos are eligible in all categories. Minor adjustments, including spotting, dodging and burning, sharpening, contrast and basic color adjustment or the digital equivalents, are acceptable for all categories. We do not accept digitally enhanced or altered photos, except for those entered in the Altered Images. If the judges determine that a photographer has altered his or her photo, they reserve the right to move the photo to Altered Images or to disqualify it.
5. Entry Fees are applicable as follows
   • Adult $10 per entry.
   • Youth $5 per entry.
6. If the contest entrant is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must accept terms and conditions.
7. Photographers submitting photographs that include recognizable people should have secured a signed Model Release form and upload it with your entry. A parent or guardian must consent for people under 18 years old. A sample Model Release form is available on the website www.springfieldart.org or can be picked up at the SAA Collective gallery.
8. Contest entries will be received between March 1, 2018 and Friday, June 1, 2018
9. A maximum of 10 entries may be submitted per artist.
10. Submit entries by:
    1. ​Visit springfieldart.org for contest entry link. All entries must be submitted via the Call for Entry website (CaFE).
    2. For assistance with online entry system you may contact CaFE Support at 888-562-7232 or cafe@westaf.org. Video tutorial are available on how to use CaFE and how to how to Apply to a Call.
    3. A computer station will be available at the SAA Collective in the Hoogland, 420 South 6th St., Springfield, IL 62701 for those who require assistance. The gallery is open Tuesday - Wednesday 10 AM. - 5 PM. and Thursday - Saturday 12 - 7 PM
    4.  Entry fees may be paid online with a credit card or a check may be delivered to Images of Illinois Contest c/o SAA Collective Gallery 420 South 6th St., Springfield, IL 62701. Payable to Springfield Art Association.
    5. Entries must be received and paid by on Friday, June 1, 2018
11. Entry fees are nonrefundable once paid. Please read all rules and requirements carefully before entering.
12. “Images of Illinois” 2018 Photography Competition judges are not eligible to participate in the 2018 contest.

PHOTO FORMAT: (Please read requirements carefully, all entry fees are non-refundable)

1. Contestants are not permitted to place watermarks, dates, signatures, or copyright images onto photos. There should be no signifying mark of the photographer on the image.
2. Photographs will be accepted in digital format only.
3. File format: JPEG only
4. File dimensions: No smaller than 1920 pixels on the longest side. Please note the CaFE website will reduce the size of your images. You may be asked for the original full resolution file to be reviewed by the jurors.
5. File resolution: 72 ppi/dpi (standard web resolution). 
6. Images do not need to be in standard image size.
7. Nude or inappropriate (of an inordinately violent or sexual nature) photography will not be accepted. If nude or inappropriate photography is submitted, the contestant will be disqualified from the contest.

JUDGING:

1. There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places for each category (People, Places, Natues, and Altered Images) within each photographer class (Adult, Teen (13 – 17), Youth (12 & under)). If submission numbers allow, judges have the option to choose up to two honorable mentions in each category within each photographer class.
2. One “Best of Show” will be chosen from all the submissions.
3. The winners will be announced on July 5, 2018 via publication of winning images in the Illinois Times and exhibited in the SAA Collective gallery in the Hoogland from July 5 – July 26, 2018. A reception and award ceremony will be held on Tuesday, July 10 from 5-7 p.m. in the Gallery for all contest participants and the public. A display of all eligible submitted photos will be included in the exhibition. Only the winning images will be display a full size individual prints.
4. The identity of the judges will be kept confidential and all decisions of the judges are final.

EXHIBITION:

1. The gallery will produce prints of all award winning images to be part of the gallery exhibition.
2. Award winners will be gifted these prints at the end of the exhibition. Winners must pick up prints in person or pay for shipping expenses.
3. All eligible entries will be included in a display in the gallery throughout the exhibition.

USE OF THE PHOTOS:

1. Contest entrant is the owner of the copyright of each photograph submitted.
2. Contest entrant grants permission to show photos in the gallery, publish them in Illinois Times, and use in other electronic and print promotional material.
3. In the event that ownership of any photograph submitted to the “Images of Illinois” Photography Contest is contested in any matter, the competition reserves the right to discontinue use of said photograph and disqualify the photograph from the contest.
4. Entries that fail to comply with the Contest Rules will be disqualified and entry fees will not be refunded.
5. Every qualified submitted photo will be displayed digitally the evening of the exhibit reception.
6. The Illinois Times and the Springfield Art Association have rights to use and publish the photograph on its website or in publications in conjunction with this contest. The Illinois Times and the Springfield Art Association also may use the photograph in other publications to promote the contest as they see fit.

AWARDS & PRIZES:

1. Best in Show will receive $300 cash. Adult 1st place winners in each category will receive $75 cash. Teen/Youth 1st place winners in each category will receive Gift Certificates to local retailers.
2. All winning photos of the contest will be printed and exhibited in the SAA Collective gallery in the Hoogland from July 5 – July 26, 2018. The exhibit reception and award ceremony will be July 10, 2018 from 5-7 PM. This reception is free and open to the public. Refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be provided.
3. Contest results will be published in a featured article of the Illinois Times. A selection of winning photos will be included in this feature.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria