By Julie Murphree, Arizona Farm Bureau: Get your digital cameras, smart phones and smiles ready, the 2015 Farm Bureau Photo Contest starts now.

As of last Friday through March 31, 2016, photos may be entered in four categories: Farm Families, Farm Labor, Technology and Consumer Outreach. Monetary prizes will be awarded to the top three placing photos from each category. First place winners will be awarded $150, second place $100 and third place $75.

Silouette Cowboy photo by Kaylin Tally.

The American Farm Bureau Federation, in conjunction with the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture encourages all state and county Farm Bureau members and staff above 18 years of age at the time of entry, including professional photographers, to enter their best work.

We’re hoping Arizona will be well-represented in this competition. Arizona agriculture has some unique aspects to farming and ranching and the state’s photographers could certainly reflect this.

Photo submissions will be used to accurately portray today’s agriculture and the safe practices of farmers and ranchers, and also for future publications, promotions and social media by AFBF and related companies. All photos submitted must exemplify safe practices on the farm or ranch.

Judges will also select a “Best in Show” winner for the most dynamic photo entered across all categories as well as two runners-up. The Best in Show winner will receive $400, with first runner-up and second runner-up receiving $300 and $200, respectively.

“The timeframe for this competition opens up vast possibilities for members interested in capturing farm and ranch photos throughout the four seasons,” said Kim Baker, AFBF’s assistant director, creative services. “We look forward to seeing a bumper crop of diverse submissions from photographers around the country for this contest.”

Contest winners will be announced April 15, 2016, on Farm Bureau’s social media platforms and website.

For more information on how to register and to view the contest rules and regulations, visit the 2015 Farm Bureau Photo Contest webpage at http://photocontest.fb.org. Questions about the contest may be sent via email to photocontest@fb.org.

Quick Tips for Great Photos

Remember to consider the following tips when taking photos; advice from Kodak.

  1. Remember to look your subject in the eye.
  2. Become a picture director, in other words set up the shot.
  3. Use a plain background.
  4. Use flash outdoors.
  5. Move in close
  6. Move your main subject(s) from the middle
  7. Lock the focus.
  8. Know your flash’s range.
  9. Watch the light.
  10. Take some vertical pictures.

Remember that the deadline date for submission is March 31st of next year. Have fun!

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