Contest Theme

 

The 2023 FOCUS45 Photography Contest theme is "A Northeast Michigan Narrative: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words," taking inspiration from the deep beauty, history, and stories that make up Northeast Michigan. Contestants are encouraged to replicate strong storytelling through their photo submissions in the form of subject matter, setting, or other forms of photo composition. 

 

Contest Submission Rules and Regulations

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Contest:

• The FOCUS45 Photography Contest is hosted solely by The Sunset Project and its affiliates. The FOCUS45 Photography Contest is in no way associated with Instagram, Facebook, or their parent company, Meta.

• By entering, contestants consent to the use of your name, email address, and other information for further communications.

• By entering, contestants agree that photos submitted can be used by The Sunset Project on all social media platforms, printed material, and any future marketing material as determined by the organization.

• Entries will not be accepted unless submitted via the official online submission portal. Entries not submitted through the portal will not be accepted or considered.

• Limit one entry per person per listed email address.

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Submissions:

• Contestants must be aged 14 or older

• Submissions on behalf of another contestant will not be accepted

• Contestants must reside in one or more of the following counties: Alpena, Alcona, Presque Isle, Iosco, Oscoda, Montmorency, Ogemaw

• All contestant submissions must be completed between 10:00 AM EST on October 1st, 2023, and 10:00 AM EST on November 1st, 2023 in order to be considered for a prize position. Late submissions will not be accepted or considered

• All contestants must be considered amateur photographers. Individuals regularly compensated for their photography work and/or skills will not be accepted or considered

• Photography equipment is permitted, including but not limited to DSLR and Mirrorless Digital Cameras, Film Cameras, Phone Cameras, Underwater Cameras, and Video Camera Stills

• Drone and Aerial Photography will not be accepted or considered

• Resolution quality and utilized equipment will not be a score factor during the judge's panel decision

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Photo Usage:

• Photographs should be taken at the highest resolution possible

• Photographs must be submitted in .jpeg, .jpg, or .gif format and no larger than 20 MB

• Photos that contain sexually explicit, nude, obscene, violent, or other objectionable or inappropriate content, as determined by The Sunset Project in its sole discretion, are ineligible for all categories of this contest.

• Contestants retain the rights to their photographs; however, by entering the contest, contestants grant The Sunset Project (and those authorized by The Sunset Project) a non-exclusive license to publicly display, distribute, reproduce, and create derivative works of the entries in whole or in part, in any media now existing or later developed. Any photograph reproduced will include a photographer credit as feasible.

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At The Sunset Project, we feel strongly that the future of the creative world is located right here in Northeast Michigan. Through this competition - and others like it - we hope to expand the creative output of the region in a way that benefits the community and young people alike.

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The Sunset Project reserves the right to cancel the contest or modify these rules at its discretion. In the event of a dispute regarding potential winners, The Sunset Project reserves the right to award or not award potential prizes at its sole discretion. The Sunset Project reserves the right to disqualify any entrant whose entry or conduct appears in any way to inhibit the enjoyment of others, tamper with the competition, violate these rules or other applicable laws or regulations, infringe on the rights of third parties, or act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Decisions of The Sunset Project are final and binding.