American Cetacean Society
10th International Conference - Whales without Borders
November 10-12, 2006 - Ventura, California

Whales Without Borders Photo Contest

Photo Contest Entry Form

A conference retrospective is in process - the following has been retained for reference.

Photo Contest Coordinator, Bernardo Alps, whalephoto@earthlink.net

Deadline: October 15, 2006

ACS invites amateur photographers to participate in the Whales without Borders photo contest. The winning entries will be displayed during the conference on November 10-12, 2006

All entries must be RECEIVED at ACS National headquarters in San Pedro, CA by October 15, 2006 along with the entry fee ($5/photo for conference participants ($10 for non-participants)).

All photos have to be of free and unrestrained animals in their natural habitat.

First, second and third places will be awarded in each category and certificates given to the winners. A panel of three experts in marine photography will be the judges.

The contest is open to amateur photographers only. For eligibility purposes, an amateur is defined as someone who makes less than 25% of his/her income from photography. Someone who sells an occasional photograph to a publication will not be excluded. If in doubt about your status, please contact the Contest Chair.

There will be three categories:

• Mysticetes - Includes all species of baleen whales.
• Odontocetes - All species of toothed whales, including dolphins and porpoises.
• Other Marine Vertebrates - Includes other marine mammals such as pinnipeds, polar bears, otters and sirenians; sea turtles, sea birds, fishes, etc. (Sea birds in the context of this contest are birds that spend most of their time in or over salt water, like penguins, tubenoses, alcids, some gulls and others)

Each entrant may submit up to five photos in each category for a total of 15 entries. The entry fee is $5 per photo for conference attendees ($10 for non-attendees).

Entries may be any type of color or black and white prints and must be mounted on an 11" by 17" board ready for hanging. The actual photo may be of any size, as long as it fits on the 11" by 17" board. One photo per board. The board may be of any color. Each board must have a completed and signed entry form securely taped to the back (photocopy form on back if you have more than one entry).

All entries must be received at ACS National headquarters in San Pedro by October 15, 2006. It is the entrant's responsibility to package the entries properly to avoid damage.

Non-winning entries may be picked up at the registration table at the conference. Winning entries may be picked up after 5:30 p.m. on November 12 at the conference. Entrants who prefer to have their entries mailed to them must to include proper packaging and return postage. While all reasonable care will be taken with the handling, displaying and shipping of entries, ACS cannot be responsible for lost or damaged entries.

Entries that do not conform to the rules will be disqualified. All decisions by the panel of judges and the Contest Chair are final.

Entrants must own the copyright of all photos entered or have permission from the copyright owner. ACS reserves the right to use all winning entries (first, second and third place winners, as well as honorable mentions, if any are awarded) in ACS publications, materials and on the ACS website.