Photography department welcomes exhibitors to showcase talent at 2010 Fair

SPENCER, IOWA- Area photographers are encouraged to exhibit their talent at the 2010 Clay County Fair, September 11-19. Entries will be received starting on Friday, September 3 from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Judging will take place on Tuesday, September 7.  

The photography classes are designed to challenge amateur photography competitors and highlight their artistic talent. Each year, the Photography Department has three standard classes as well as a Concepts Class, Photojournalism Class, “Beautiful Iowa” Class, Objects Class and Conservation Class. This year, those sponsored classes will each have a new theme for which exhibitors will be able to compete for top honors. Prizes for the sponsored classes include $100 for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place. The first place in the youth divisions will receive $50, second $35 and third $25.

The 2010 Concepts Class sponsored by Marvin Burk Photography is “Reflections”. The photograph entered should include, but is not limited to: water, mirrors, reflecting the past, twins, etc.

“Iowa, Our People Make Us Great” is the theme for the Photojournalism Class sponsored by The Spencer Daily Reporter/Northwest Iowa Shopper. The photo must capture the essence of Iowans living the great way of life. Whether on the farm or in the communities, the Iowa lifestyle should shine through.

The “Beautiful Iowa” Class, sponsored by Nielsen’s Tire and Appliance, will have a theme of “Iowa Agriculture” for the 2010 competition. Photographs must be identified on the entry tag by the specific location where the photo was taken in Iowa.

There will be two new classes this year, the first being the Objects Class sponsored by Melander’s TV & Appliance Center. This class will focus on “Splash” as the 2010 theme. Entries should be something making an impact with water. Special attention will be given to the creativity and artistic vision of the photographer.

Another new class, the Conservation Class, is sponsored by the Clay County Soil Conservation and has a theme of “People Helping the Land” for 2010. Photos need to be taken in Iowa and depict mankind’s positive influences on soil. Photographs must be specified by location it was taken.

Rules for the sponsored classes require that the entries be only 8 x 10 inches in size and flush mounted. All classes will be split into two divisions, one for adults 18 and over and the other for youth 18 and under.

In addition to the special classes, the Photography Department will also hold competition in the standard classes. The three standard classes for both age divisions include; Color Photograph, Black and White Photograph and Creative Photography.

Both the Color Class and the Black and White Class have five lots for which competitors may enter one photo in each. The lots include categories of people, places or landscape, things, plants and animals and insect world.

The Creative Photography Class has four lots that allow the photographer to use various techniques to alter reality to the point where the photo may be less real, non-objective or abstract in quality. Contestants may enter one photo in each lot of computer manipulation, multi-images into one photo, trick lenses and the “other” category.

The standard classes require photos no smaller than 5 x 7 inches in size and no larger than 12 x 16 inches in size including any matting. The photos may be displayed on matte board or flush mounted.

All photos that compete in the Photography Department will be displayed during the fair in the Photography building located between the Art Barn and the Pork Producers Restaurant. A percentage of top photos in each class will be chosen to receive “Honorable Mention”. From those photos a “Best of Class” and a “Best of Show” will be awarded.

Contestants can also pre-register by mailing entry forms to Photography Dept., Clay County Fair Assoc., P.O. Box 527, 1401 4th Ave W., Spencer, IA 51301. Premium books can be picked up at the Clay County Fair administration office or accessed online at www.claycountyfair.com. Any questions can be directed to Photography Superintendents Dana Metcalf at 712-260-4852 or Kay Schueneman at 712-262-2689.