SA’s Largest Reptile Expo

2012 SOS² Reptile Expo  Photo Competition

To celebrate the 10th Annual SOS² Reptile Expo we have decided to hold a photographic competition which is open to all photographers. The photographs need to be original works and include images of reptiles, amphibians and arachnids.

Judging on creativity and photographic quality a first place winner will be selected by a panel of experts, and enthusiasts. Final judging will be done by the public at the SOS² Reptile Expo.

WHO MAY ENTER

Competition is open to any individuals who have reached the age of eighteen (18) years old. Owners of www.sareptiles.co.za and the organizers of SOS² Reptile Expo, and their immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they live) or persons living in the same households of such employees, whether or not related are not eligible.

HOW TO ENTER

Each entry consists of an entry form, a single image, and an entry fee. The entry fee is R50 per entry. Entry forms are available from bookings@reptileexpo.co.za. Complete the entry form with the required information, including your name, address, telephone number, email address, and photo caption; and e-mail it to bookings@reptileexpo.co.za along with your photograph. You will then receive confirmation of your entry and this will then be uploaded to www.sareptiles.co.za for the first round of judging.

Photographs must be in digital format. No print or film submissions will be accepted for entry into this competition. All digital files must be between 1 and 2 megabytes, must be in JPEG or JPG format.

Photographs must have been taken within two (2) years before the date of entry and may not previously have won an award in any other photography competition.

Only minor changes and/or color correction is acceptable, as is cropping. High dynamic range images (HDR) and stitched panoramas are NOT acceptable. Any other major changes to the original photograph are unacceptable and will render the photograph ineligible for a prize.

The photograph, in its entirety, must be a single work of original material taken by the competition entrant. By entering the competition the entrant represents, acknowledges, and warrants that the submitted photograph is an original work created solely by the entrant, that the photograph does not infringe on the copyrights, trademarks, moral rights, rights of privacy/publicity or intellectual property rights of any person or entity, and that no other party has any right, title, claim, or interest in the photograph.

The entries will be judged in accordance with the judging criteria as determined by the committee. All entries must be submitted and received by 15 April 2012. Proof of submission is not proof of receipt. The committee reserves the right to examine the original photograph/source material in order to confirm compliance with these rules.

RELEASES

If the photograph contains any material or elements that are not owned by the entrant and/or which are subject to the rights of third parties, and/or if any persons appear in the photograph, the entrant is responsible for obtaining, prior to submission of the photograph, any and all releases and consents necessary to permit the exhibition and use of the photograph in the manner set forth in these official rules. If any person appearing in any photograph is under the age of eighteen (18) years old the signature of a parent or legal guardian is required on each release.

COMPETITION PRIZES

Prizes will include cash, magazine subscriptions and reptile products.

JUDGING

Initial selection will be done on www.sareptiles.co.za by any members of the forum as well as leading photographers in the field of natural history. The top ten photographs will be displayed at the 10th Annual SOS² Reptile Expo on 5th and 6th of May 2012 where the public will get a chance to cast a vote for their favourite photograph.

CONDITIONS

Entries are void if the committee determines the photograph to not be an original, or if the entries are illegible, incomplete, damaged, irregular, altered, counterfeit, produced in error or obtained through fraud or theft.

By entering, entrants also agree (a) to be bound by these official rules; (b) that the decisions of the judges are final and binding with respect to all matters relating to the competition. In the event that the selected winner(s) of any prize is/are ineligible, cannot be traced or does/do not respond within ten (10) days to a winner notification as required by the “competition prizes” rules above, or refuses the prize, the prize will be forfeited and committee, in its sole discretion, may choose whether to award the prize to another entrant.

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