Categories |
There are four categories:
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- Prototype Photos – Steam Related — Images of prototype steam locomotives.
Prototype Photos – Non-Steam — Images of any locomotives, rolling stock, structures, etc., except for steam related. Model Photos — Images of model railroads and related model items. Artistic Photos — Pictures that have been substantially changed in terms of composition or content through computer modifications or similar processes. Pictures or images that manipulate details or the overall image beyond the capabilities of usual modeling techniques or beyond truthful prototypical reference possibilities would go into this category. It also includes images that have had substantial changes such as cloning, layered images, collages, etc. performed. (This does not include minor modifications such as contrast, brightness, gamma, cropping and similar minor corrections. Digital or film pictures with these minor corrections may be entered in any of the first three categories, above.) |
Judging |
Judging will be by popular vote. Instead of just one vote, you will be voting for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each of the four categories. When the votes are counted, 1st place votes will count as 5 points, 2nd place as 3 points and 3rd place as 2 points. This system will aid in evening up possible differences created by varying convention localities and possible tilting of scores away from recognizing the quality images our members produce.
In addition to regular awards, a Best of Show award will also be chosen from all of the entries. A three-person panel, chosen by the General Contest Chairperson and the Photo Contest Chairperson at the convention from people who have experience in photography and/or publications, will select the winner of this award. If the Best of Show is one of the category winners, the rest of the images in that category will be upped one slot to fill all awarded slots. |
Photography Contest Rules |
All current NMRA members are eligible to enter. Participants may enter up to five prints in each of the four categories. (Slides are not accepted.) The maximum size for each photograph is 96 square inches (i.e. the equivalent of an 8 x 12 photograph). The minimum size is 35 square inches (i.e. the equivalent of a 5 x 7 print). All prints must be mounted on a stiff mounting board. Maximum size for the mounting board is 154 square inches (equivalent to 11 x 14). Entries may also include an appropriate mask surrounding the image, not to exceed the mounting board dimensions. Entries may not be framed. Each participant must fill out the proper entry forms upon bringing the photos to the contest room. Participants should try to bring their photos in as early as possible within the convention's announced hours to facilitate the popular vote process. No entries can be accepted after the contest room closes for the standard model contest judging. Do not enter the same image(s) in more than one category. That includes changing a color image to a gray scale or vice-versa. Any image that won a first place or Best of Show award in a previous MER photography contest may not be entered again. If you change a previous first place-winning image from color to gray scale, or vice versa, it is still the same image and may not be entered again. The participants of the photography contests will be totally responsible for their images and will not hold the MER, the host Division or people connected with the contests liable for damage or losses. The Photography Contest Chairperson or an appointed representative shall make the final judgment on questions or questionable entries dealing with the Photography Contests. If your entry has won first place or best of show at the National Convention you may not enter it (but you can display it to show off your winning entry.
Make sure while at the Convention to stop in and vote. Even if you have not entered the contest, it can only help the camaraderie of model railroaders. The ballots will be available in the contest room after all entries have been accepted.
These rules are reviewed on a continuing basis by the Photography Contest Chairperson to see if the activity can be improved even more as time progresses. If you have questions or any suggestions, comments, etc., please contact Roger Ossman at rwo1361@aol.com or 3307 Englewood Road, Wilmington, DE 19810. |
Special Popular Vote
"Anything But a Station"
In this contest entrants will take the standard Atlas Station kit and turn it into something other than a station. This kit is available in N, HO and O scales, and any one of these can be entered in this contest. The Atlas catalog numbers for the kits are:
2841 | N scale kit |
706 | HO scale kit |
6901 | O scale kit |
These kits are readily available at your local hobby shop or from Internet dealers.
The photographs below show the May 2002 contest entries for the "Anything But a Station" contest held by the Carolina Piedmont Division. There were eight entries — seven in HO scale and one in N scale. The photos below include the name of the builder, plus who came in first, second and third in the vote. (Note to CPD13 members: These entrees may NOT be re-entered in the Rails to Raleigh contest.)
First Place — David Derway — N Scale
Second Place — Fred Platt — HO Scale
Third Place — Joe Getz — HO Scale
Mike Humble — HO Scale
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Bill Cox — HO Scale
Jim Babcock — HO Scale
David Lynam — HO Scale
Tom Cook — HO Scale
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Home page: |
http://trainweb.org/cpd13 |
This Page: |
http://trainweb.org/cpd13//mer05/contest.html |
Last Updated: |
October 23, 2005 |
Webmaster: |
John M. Wallis (Email to John) |
This page and all contents are Copyright 2004–2005 by the Carolina Piedmont Division 13, NMRA MER.
(CPD13 is a Not-For-Profit Corporation incorporated in North Carolina.)
The various logos and heralds shown here are the property of their respective organizations. |
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