Local amateur photographers are invited to participate in the annual Octoraro Watershed Association (OWA) Photography Contest by submitting photos taken in the watershed area, which includes 208 square miles in southern Chester and Lancaster counties, as well as Cecil County, Md.
Because of the pandemic, this year's event will give photographers an opportunity to email their entries for the first time. In past years, only mailed-in prints were accepted for the contest. "We had to cancel (the contest) last year, but because we have seen how well virtual entries can work, we decided to give it a try," said Shotty Sprenkle, contest organizer.
Sprenkle said she believes that this year's contest will attract even more photographers because the pandemic has caused many people to rely on virtual platforms. "A year has gone by and people have learned to adapt and educate themselves (on computer technology)," she said. "I anticipate more entries as a result of that."
It is not necessary to live in the Octoraro Watershed to participate in the contest, which is open to photographers of any age. Entries will be judged in three age categories: Adult, age 18 and above; Youth, ages 13 to 17; and Youth 2, age 12 and under.
All photographs must be taken within the Octoraro Watershed, which encompasses Cecil County, Md., as well as the following townships in Pennsylvania: Eden, Bart, Sadsbury (in both Lancaster and Chester counties), Colerain, West Sadsbury, Highland, West Fallowfield, Upper Oxford, Lower Oxford, East Nottingham, Little Britain, Fulton, East Drumore and West Nottingham. All photographs must be identified by location within the watershed.
Photographs may be color and/or black and white. Photos will be entered and judged in four categories: Wildlife - plants, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, invertebrates and fungi (no domestic animals); Landscapes - sites, scenery, historic buildings and farmland; Outdoor Recreation - people enjoying the Octoraro Creek and its tributaries; and Trailcam - photographs captured on remote cameras.
The photographs will be judged by a professional photographer prior to the OWA's annual dinner meeting, set for Thursday, March 25, which will be held virtually this year via Zoom. All entries will be displayed virtually for the meeting and become the property of the OWA.
After the annual meeting, the OWA hopes to feature the collection in a traveling show to various institutions, such as libraries, historical societies, banks and schools, located within the watershed. Winning photographs will also be featured in the OWA newsletter and website.
Monetary prizes and ribbons will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners in all categories. There will also be a ribbon and monetary prize given to the Best of Show winner and a ribbon awarded for People's Choice.
All photos must be emailed to csprenkle9@gmail.com. For more information, readers may call Sprenkle at 610-593-2808 or text 484-888-5416. Those without computer access should contact Sprenkle to make arrangements. All photos must be received by Sunday, March 14. More information about the OWA and the contest can be found at http://www.theowa.org.
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