A picture is worth a hundred bucks

The city of East Lansing´s third Community Photo Contestchallenges photographers of all skill levels to capture images that illustrate their favorite aspects about East Lansing.

“We had a lot of positive outcomes from the first two, and a lot of great submissions,” said Mikell Frey, communications coordinator for the city of East Lansing, of the previous photo contests held in 2008 and 2009. “And, since we are about to publish an updated community guide and a community calendar, we figured we would pick it back up again.”

The rules are simple: All pictures must be taken in East Lansing at some point in the past few years. They must also be high-resolution, full-color images and all photos must be accompanied by an entry form and model release forms for any pictures containing people. Submissions are limited to five photos per person, and they must be received by midnight on August 17.

Photo editing must be kept to a minimum. “We don’t want people to go in and do too much digitally to them; just brightness and color adjustments,” Frey said. “We don’t want something that has been just literally Photoshopped together.”

The contest is open to anyone, from casual shutterbugs to enthusiasts to professionals.

This is the first year that prize money will be up for grabs. The first place winner will receive a $100 Meijer gift card; second place will receive a $50 gift card and third place gets a $25 gift card. All the winners, including photos that get honorable mention, will be featured in the 2013 East Lansing community guide and calendars.

“It’s nice to add a little community flavor to those publications,” Frey said.

Photos can be submitted online, by mail or delivered by hand to East Lansing City Hall on a C.D. Entry and release forms can be downloaded online or picked up at City Hall, and must accompany all entries, even ones submitted online.

Photo entries will be reviewed by the staff of the communications department of the city of East Lansing.

“We encourage people to get out there and snap photos and submit them,” Fray said. “It would be great to get over 100 submissions and have a wide variety to choose from.”

Community Photo Contest

Submit photos online, by mail or deliver by hand on a CD to East Lansing City Hall, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing.

Get entry and release forms online or at City Hall

Deadline is midnight Friday, Aug. 17 

www.cityofeastlansing.com/photocontest