The state’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the launch of the 2022 Outdoor Photo Contest to highlight the best of New York’s natural beauty and special destinations among New York’s state campgrounds and parklands.
The online contest runs for four months – through mid-October – with the winning images to be featured in statewide digital and print campaigns.
The online contest is being held through October 15th in partnership with ReserveAmerica.com powered by Aspira, the state’s camping reservation system. A grand prize winner will be selected along with six individual category winners.
The six submission categories are:
- Camping Life;
- Seasonal Spectacular;
- Action & Adventure;
- Hiking;
- Views & Vistas; and
- Making Memories.
Prize packages include a grand prize of a $1,000 REI gift card, one 4-person tent, a 2023 Empire Pass, and a $250 NY camping gift card; and six individual category winners will each receive $250 REI gift card, a 2023 Empire Pass, and a $100 NY camping gift card.
The winning images will be featured in the 2023 New York State Camping Guide and together with other entries will be used in statewide promotions on social media, websites and in print publications, and highlighted through seasonal marketing campaigns.
All entries must be photographs taken at New York State-owned parklands in the two-year period between June 15th, 2020, and October 15th, 2022. Contest entries are accepted from June 15th, 2022, at noon to October 15th, 2022, 11:59 pm.
Winners will be announced by December 31st, 2022. Photos will be judged on the following criteria: originality; artistic composition; technical quality; and whether the photograph showcases the best of New York State Parks camping and outdoor activities. The contest-winning photos will also be featured in an online gallery with information about each image and photographer. Submissions and all additional information regarding contest rules, eligibility and prizes are available at the NY Photo Challenge website.
For the previous contest in 2018, more than 5,200 photos were submitted and nearly 18,000 votes were cast in the competition that captured imagery of the state’s parks, forests, trails, campgrounds, nature centers, and other favorite destinations.
New York State Parks operates more than 250 state parks, historic sites, launches and nature centers including 68 campgrounds with 8,300 campsites and 900 cabins and cottages across 11 park regions.
DEC operates 52 campgrounds and five day-use areas in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve that provide a wide variety of visitor experiences that can be found at DEC’s website.
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