Outdoor Alabama announces 2022 photo contest
Cheaha State Park is among Alabama's stunning mountain destinations. (Keith Bozeman)
Almost anywhere across the state, outdoor enthusiasts can capture nature at its best for the Outdoor Alabama 2022 Photo Contest.
For more than 10 years, thousands of amateur photographers have showcased Alabama’s scenic byways and breathtaking views.
Photographers are required to use a hand-held camera to qualify for nine of the 10 photography categories. Shots submitted to the contest by adults using drones, cellphones, smartphones and game cameras will not be selected.
“We want people to enjoy the outdoors, see unique places and take great wildlife photography from around the state,” said Billy Pope, chief of communications and marketing for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The Young Photographer’s category has been designated for cellphones and tablet photos for children age 17 and younger.
“From the mountains to the beaches, Alabama has such diverse subject matter to photograph, and it is always exciting to see what photographers find when they explore the rich and diverse natural resources of Alabama,” Pope said.
Categories include:
- Alabama State Parks: Scenic views or people taking part in recreational activities at any of Alabama’s 22 State Parks. A list of eligible parks is available at Alabama State Parks. When entering the category, the name of the State Park must be included in the description. (Tannehill Ironworks and Historic Blakely parks are not part of ADCNR’s system.)
- Birds: Native or migratory songbirds, hummingbirds, game birds and raptors.
- Bugs and butterflies: Bugs, insects and arthropods. Examples include bees, butterflies, centipedes, dragonflies and spiders.
- Cold-blooded critters: Turtles, frogs, snakes, lizards, salamanders, crayfish and fish.
- Nature-based recreation: Photos of people enjoying outdoor recreation. Examples include hunting, fishing, shooting sports, boating, paddling, hiking, camping, mountain biking, rock climbing and surfing. Submission of hunting and fishing photos is encouraged, but no shots of organized sports will be accepted.
- Scenic: Waterfalls, mountain and canyon vistas, beach and coastal scenery, landscapes, swamps and bayous, wetlands, sunrises and sunsets, and nighttime photos, such as astrophotography are included in this category. The photos may include people, but the scenery must be the prominent feature.
- Shoots and roots: Wildflowers, foliage, fungi, fruiting bodies and other parts of plants or trees can be entered in this category. Photos of native flora and fungi are encouraged.
- Sweet Home Alabama: Photos in which natural or manmade landmarks or other inanimate objects are prominent. Photos of regional festivals throughout the state may be entered in this category. Examples include Birmingham’s Vulcan statue, Alabama’s Natural Bridge, city skylines, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and the National Peanut Festival.
- Wildlife: Mammals such as deer, squirrels, black bears, bats, otters, foxes and almost anything else with fur, except pets or livestock.
- Young photographers: This category is reserved for photographers ages 17 and younger. The subject matter can be any of the categories above. Cellphone photos will be accepted in this category only. Ages 18 and older must enter the other categories.
In each category, there will be first, second, third and honorable mention winners. Judges will decide whether a category contains work that merits awards. Winning photos will also be included in a traveling exhibit. Winners will be sent an email no later than February 2022.
Read the image for contest rules section carefully before preparing uploads. A maximum of eight photos can be entered for each category. Submit each photo in a jpg format with a description. File sizes must be between 5 and 10 megabytes.
Entry photos must be taken within two years of the contest.
Click here to learn more about Outdoor Alabama and here to enter the contest. The photo deadline is Oct. 31.
The Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest is a joint project between the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Alabama Tourism Department.
To see the complete Outdoor Alabama 2021 Photo Contest winners go to flickr.com.
