A man in a hat holds a vintage camera in the foreground, with a blurred background of evergreen trees.

OAK LEAF FESTIVAL

LXCL:$10 for every photo entered

Age 18+ Entries

Share how you see Oak Hill by entering our Oak Leaf Festival Photography Contest 🍂 Please be sure to read the rules before completing payment. The rules can be found on the website:  <a href="https://www.oakleaffestivalwv.org/applications" target="_blank">https://www.oakleaffestivalwv.org/applications</a> -  Photography Contest Rules (they download and open in word or are listed below) Oak Leaf Festival Photography Competition Guide ELIGIBILITYThe Photography Competition is open to all photographers.Adult contestants must be at least 18 years of age by the entry deadline 8/21/26.Youth contestants must be 11–17 years of age by the entry deadline 8/21/26.All entries must be the original work of the contestant. Entries created by two or more individuals are not eligible.Photographs must have been created by the entrant within the previous 12 months, unless otherwise specified by the Festival Committee.Entries may not contain copyrighted material, stock photography, or images created by another photographer without written permission. The contestant is responsible for obtaining any required model releases or permissions.Identical images may not be entered in more than one division or class. Color and black-and-white versions of the same photograph are considered duplicate entries and are not permitted.By submitting an entry, contestants grant the Oak Leaf Festival permission to use their name, photograph, entry title, and images for promotional purposes in print, online, and social media without additional compensation. Copyright remains with the photographer.Late entries will not be accepted.The Festival Committee reserves the right to reject or disqualify any entry that does not comply with the published rules. ENTRY FEESAdult Division: $10.00 per photographYouth Division (Ages 11–17): $6.00 per photographEntry fees are non-refundable and must accompany the online registration.  ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) &amp; IMAGE EDITING POLICYThe Oak Leaf Festival celebrates the skill and creativity of photographers. Images should accurately represent the photographer's original work.The following editing techniques are permitted:CroppingExposure and color correctionWhite balance adjustmentContrast and saturation adjustmentsSharpeningNoise reductionDodging and burningLens correctionSpot removal, healing, and cloning of minor distractionsFocus stackingHDR or exposure blending using photographs captured by the entrantPanorama stitching using photographs captured by the entrantLimited Use of Content-Aware Tools Adobe Photoshop's Content-Aware Fill or Expand may be used only as a minor corrective tool for removing small distractions or repairing damaged areas. It may not be used to create, replace, or substantially alter the primary subject or scene.      Prohibited EditingThe following are not permitted in any photography division unless specifically identified as a creative or manipulated image category:Images created wholly or partially using generative Artificial Intelligence.AI-generated backgrounds, subjects, objects, or scenery.Text-to-image or image-to-image generation.AI replacement of skies, people, animals, or significant objects.Any editing that substantially changes the authenticity of the original photograph. Examples of prohibited software include, but are not limited to:MidjourneyStable DiffusionDALL·EAdobe Firefly Generative FillCanva AI Image GeneratorAny comparable generative AI software. The Festival Committee may request the original image file (RAW or original JPEG) and editing history if questions arise regarding image authenticity. Failure to provide requested files may result in disqualification.       PHOTOGRAPHY DIVISIONS &amp; CLASSES Division 520 – Black &amp; White PhotographyClass 01 – PeopleClass 02 – ScenicClass 03 – Plants &amp; FlowersClass 04 – Domestic AnimalsClass 05 – Wildlife &amp; Non-Domestic AnimalsClass 06 – ThingsClass 07 – Manipulated ImageClass 08 – Analog (Film)Class 09 – Oak Hill, WV Division 521 – Color Photography: PeopleClass 01 – TravelClass 02 – PortraitClass 03 – SportsClass 04 – Children &amp; FamilyClass 05 – Street PhotographyClass 06 – Oak Hill, WV Division 522 – Color Photography: ScenicClass 01 – LandscapeClass 02 – WaterscapeClass 03 – Urban SceneClass 04 – SkyscapeClass 05 – Oak Hill, WV Division 523 – Color Photography: PlantsClass 01 – FlowersClass 02 – Trees &amp; Plant LifeClass 03 – Macro Division 524 – Color Photography: AnimalsClass 01 – Zoo AnimalsClass 02 – Insects, Reptiles &amp; BatsClass 03 – Aquatic AnimalsClass 04 – BirdsClass 05 – Domestic AnimalsClass 06 – Wildlife Division 525 – Color Photography: ThingsClass 01 – Vehicles &amp; MachineryClass 02 – ArchitectureClass 03 – Still Life Division 526 – Creative / Manipulated PhotographyClass 01 – Optical Special EffectsClass 02 – Digital Special Effects    JUDGING Entries will be evaluated by qualified judges using the Danish Judging System, where each photograph is judged on its own merit rather than against other entries.Originality - uniqueness, and artistic visionCreativity - Effective use of subject matter and storytellingComposition - Balance, framing, perspective, and visual impactTechnical Excellence - Exposure, focus, lighting, color, and print qualityLighting - Purposeful mood and depthExposure - Balanced tones, intentional detailsFocus - Sharp subject, intentional blurStorytelling - Emotional impact, clear narrativePresentation - Framing, matting, craftsmanship, and overall appearanceJudges decisions are final.

OAK LEAF FESTIVAL

2027 Photography Contest

To be announced shortly

Age 18+ Entries

$5

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