Frequently asked questions (FAQs) and their answers can be found here. Please consult this page first before contacting us with a question about the contest. Thank you.

Q: Who can enter the Wayne Center for the Arts Photography Contest?
A: The Contest is open only to legal residents of Wayne and Holmes Counties, Ohio, who fall within the following age groups as of January 4, 2010, at midnight (12 a.m.) U.S. Eastern Time ("ET"):

  1. grades 3-5 (or 8-11 years of age)
  2. grades 6-8 (or 11-14 years of age)
  3. grades 9-12 (or 14-19 years of age).

Q: How do I submit a photo? Does it have to be digital?
A: All entries have to be accompanied by an entry form. NO EXCEPTIONS. Photographs may be submitted by

  1. emailing them as an attachment to wca_entries@wcaphotocontest.com.
  2. mailing a CD via USPS containing the photograph to the Wayne Center for the Arts.
  3. mailing a photographic print via USPS to the Wayne Center for the Arts.
  4. Please name your photograph FIRSTNAME_LASTNAME_CATEGORY.jpg (example: jane_doe_nature.jpg) if you submit it on CD or by email. If your photographic file is not identified accordingly, we cannot guarantee it will be identified and entered into the contest correctly.

To submit a photo and for more in-depth instructions, click here.

Q: What is a release? Do I need one?
A: When you submit a photo, you declare that you have all the rights to it. That means that you've made sure with any people in the photo, or with the person owning the house etc. that it is OK for you to photograph them. We recommend obtaining a release where possible.

Q: How old can the photo be?
A: Photographs must have been taken within two (2) years before the date of entry and may not previously have won an award at any other photo contest, including county and State fairs, in the last three (3) years.

Q: Can I digitally manipulate my photo?
A: Minor burning, dodging and/or color correction is acceptable. Hand tinting is acceptable, as is cropping. Fish-eye lenses are acceptable. High dynamic range images (HDR) and stitched panoramas are acceptable only if the combined parts are all made around the same time. Extensive photo manipulation (collages, color substitution etc.) will not be accepted and will lead to disqualification at Sponsor's absolute discretion. Any changes to the original Photograph not itemized here are unacceptable and will render the Photograph ineligible for a prize.

Q: Is there an entry fee to pay?
A: No, there are no entry fees.

Q: How do I know you've received my entry?
A: Due to the number of entries received, we cannot acknowledge receipt of your entry. You may, however, email us at wca_entries@wcaphotocontest.com or call during normal business hours at 330-264-2878.

Q: How will photographs be judged?
A: Contest consists of two (2) rounds of evaluation for each Category. In round one, each judge in a panel of photographic experts (at least one of whom will be independent of Sponsor) ("Judges") will select ten (10) entries in each age group from among all eligible entries based on the following criteria ("Judging Criteria"): (1) Creativity 50%; (2) Photographic quality 50%. The entries selected in round one ("Finalists") will proceed to round two. In round two, the Judges will collectively select an overall Grand Prize Winner, and Top 3 Winners in each age group based on the judging criteria.

Q: When will the winners be announced?
A: Finalists will be chosed and announced on or around May 15, 2010, and notified by email. Winners will be chosen on or around May 31, 2010, and notified by email. Decisions of the judges are final and binding.

Q: What are the prizes?
A: The Grand Prize Winner and the Top 3 Winners will all receive sponsored participation in the 2010 Ohio State Fair. In addition, the following apply:

  1. Grand Prize Winner: independently of age groups and places 1 - 3 ("Winners") in each age group, Judges will select a Best of Show or Grand Prize entry. The Grand Prize consists of a digital camera and sponsored participation in the 2010 Ohio State Fair (see below).
  2. The top three (3) contestants in each age group shall be deemed the Winners of their age group, regardless of what photographic category their entry was entered into.
  3. Top three (3) ("Top 3 Winners" or "Winners"): The Winners will all receive sponsored participation in the 2010 Ohio State Fair in addition to the prizes listed below.
    1. grades 3-5 (or 8-11 years of age)
      • first place (1st): $50 WCA class voucher plus one year individual membership.
      • second place (2nd): $25 WCA class voucher plus one year individual membership.
      • third place (3rd): "How to photograph your life" by Nick Kelsh (approximate retail value ["ARV"] as of January 4, 2010: $20).
    2. grades 6-8 (or 11-14 years of age)
      • first place (1st): Photoshop Elements 7 (software) plus "Teach Yourself VISUALLY Photoshop Elements 7" by Mike Wooldridge and Linda Wooldridge (ARV as of January 4, 2010: $100).
      • second place (2nd): $50 WCA class voucher plus one year individual membership.
      • third place (3rd): $30 WCA class voucher plus one year individual membership.
    3. grades 9-12 (or 14-19 years of age)
      • first place (1st): Photoshop Elements 7 (software) plus "The Photoshop Elements 7 Book for Digital Photographers (Paperback)" by Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski (ARV as of January 4, 2010: $100).
      • second place (2nd): $50 WCA class voucher plus one year individual membership.
      • third place (3rd): $30 WCA class voucher plus one year individual membership.

Q: Can we subsitute any of the prizes?
A: No substitutions are allowed, and no prizes may be exchanged for money or credit.

Q: We are not sure what age group to enter our child into because we are home schooling.
A: To take this into account, we have listed ages as well as class levels.

Q: My child is 8 but only in the second grade, because he was held back. Can he participate?
A: To take this into account, we have listed ages as well as class levels.

Q: Why do you not sponsor participation in one of the County Fairs?
A: The local County Fairs to our knowledge do not require sponsorship, nor do they require artwork to be framed. In case of the Wayne County Fair, artwork will even be rejected if the photograph is turned in framed.

Q: Why do you require the entry form be submitted in hard copy?
A: For participants under the age of 18, we must have their legal representative's permission so they may participate. In order to cut back on administrative overhead, we are therefore requiring an entry form in hard copy from everyone.

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