OK it's here. Clocks go back at the weekend and it's time for autumn so we thought we'd celebrate with our first “rapid fire” competition. You have just over two weeks to shoot a picture that sums up this special time of year.
The most obvious idea is for some autumn trees (and the ones in my garden are just beginning to turn - everyone says the colour will be fantastic this year) but there are plenty of others. We are deliberately starting the competition right now so that it spans some of the best bits. You could take pictures of:
- Halloween - scary pumpkin lanterns, trick or treaters, witches, black cats - really anything goes.
- Bonfire night (hint: check out our article on shooting fireworks!) - fireworks, sparklers, bonfires, fairground rides at an event, fire breathers.
- Autumn colour - don't just stick to full trees (though they are cool). Try some close ups of beautiful leaves, chestnuts in their spiky cases, squirrels nibbling acorns or what about a misty morning in the woods? Maybe even persuade a friend and take some outdoor portraits - they always look great with the colourful trees as background.
- People playing conkers - they still do that, right? Let's see all the action from a conker fight.
- Remembrance Sunday falls just inside the competition time so get yourself down to your local cenotaph and grab some cool poppy pictures.
There are plenty of ideas at the top of this article but we want to see what you can dream up.
How it works
I've set up a special gallery called “AutumnComp”. Submit your pictures to that gallery for inclusion in the competition. Enter as many times as you like.
Once the competition closes, the pictures will go on display and voting will be open for one week. One member one vote - pick your top 3 pictures. You could probably vote for your own pictures but (1) that would be sad and (2) we'd disqualify you.
Competition is open for submission now and all pictures must be submitted by 9 am Monday 13th November. Voting will then open and the winner will be announced on Monday 20th November.
The prize
Oh yes, I didn't mention the best bit. Thanks to our friends at Ulead, we have a copy of CD and DVD PictureShow 4 for the winner. “Turn your photos into slideshows complete with music, transitions, captions, narration and stunning effects in only three steps.” Click here for our review.
But that's not all. For our star prize we have twisted Canon's arm and got hold of a fabulous special edition Canon 1DS MkII with an EF600mm 1:4 IS USM lens! Now you need to know that in this context “special edition” means “1/5 scale model” and that “model” means “does not take pictures” but this is a fabulously detailed model. It has all the correct buttons and labels, the focus ring turns and you can take the lens off and swap it for any other 1/5 scale EF lens in your collection. It was made to commemorate the 30 millionth EF lens being sold. We'd like to call this a “money can't buy prize” but as with all things these days that isn't true. I checked eBay this morning and there's one on there for £250 - but other than eBay you'd be pretty hard pressed to track one down.
As if all that wasn't enough, you'll also get to call yourself “winner” and brag a lot. Which really is what it's all about.
The important stuff
. You will need to be a member to enter this competition! If you aren't a member, joining up is quick, easy and FREE.
. You can submit as many pictures as you want (subject to normal upload limits) and have to be a member of the site to enter.
. All pictures must be added to the special “AutumnComp” gallery for inclusion in the competition.
. Pictures must be taken by the entrant in October or November 2006 to qualify. If we suspect they weren't then you may be asked to provide evidence.
. Pictures must be submitted between now and 9 am Monday 13th November to enter.
. The competition will be voted on by our members but as always the editor's decision is final.
. When voting is open, feel free to talk about your own or anyone else's pictures in the forums but if you start trying to rig the vote, well, we'll probably spot that!
. Finally, the subject is up to you - anything that says “autumn” to you or that could only be taken during autumn will be allowed. Pictures will not be rejected on subject matter (unless they break the site's decency rules) but if you have to explain why it's an autumn picture you may not do so well in the competition.
|
