"Picture This" Photo Contest

Shutterbug Magazine hosts a monthly photo contest that is open to everyone! Every month is a new assignment ... from "Water Reflections" to "City at Night".  It's a fabulous way to expand and discover new subjects while honing in on specific techniques that might not be in your usual captures. This month's assignment is Shallow Depth of Field. Deadline for submission is May 15, 2013 and the winners will appear in the August 2013 issue.

I challenge you to jump in and give it a try! I have no idea what the contest winners receive beyond "Oooohhhhs.... Aaaahhhhhs" and talent recognition from your friends, neighbors, family members and fellow photographers from all over the world. I am not employed or contracted by Shutterbug, nor do I get any kickbacks or whatnots for promoting this ... I just think it's cool enough to share!

"There's nothing quite like the use of shallow depth of field to bring out all the details in the main subject, and to create a painterly backdrop to enhance the remainder of the frame. Having the foreground form echoed by the out-of-focus background only adds to the visual effect." 

Seagull - f/2.8 at 1/3200 sec,  ISO 200

Beach Scrub - f/2.8 at 1/1600 sec, ISO 200

  

PNW Beach - f/2.8 at 1/3200 sec, ISO 200

Cyclone Fence ~ f/2.8 at 1/1250 sec, ISO 200

From Shutterbug Magazine (a worthy subscription if you're not already receiving it!):

"It is important that you read and follow these guidelines. We need to follow this procedure because of the large volume of images we receive. If you have any questions, please e-mail us at: editorial@shutterbug.com.

1. Images sent to us cannot be returned. You retain complete copyright over the images, but do grant us permission to print your image(s) in the magazine and on our website, www.shutterbug.com.
2. Because images are not returned, please send a quality print or duplicate transparency. We will not accept images on CD, ZIP, or any other electronic media.
3. Images will be selected on the basis of content and technical quality. Please mark your outer envelope with the topic of the month (for example, "Wide View").
4. Enclose a short caption with the image stating camera, lens, film and exposure, plus location. If you are submitting an image with a recognizable person, we must have a model release or signed permission from that person to reproduce their image in the magazine and on the website.
5. Please submit no more than three photos for consideration (4x6 up to 8 1/2x11).

Send your image and information to:
Picture This!
Shutterbug Magazine
1415 Chaffee Dr., Suite #10
Titusville, FL 32780

Deadline for Submission:
May 15, 2013
Images will appear in our August 2013 issue

Our NEXT TOPIC: Shadow Play
Deadline for Submission: June 15, 2013. Images will appear in our September 2013 issue

Please Note: We receive hundreds of submissions for Picture This! each month and want to be sure we properly identify each image we publish. Please put your name and all camera, exposure information on the back of the print or attached to slides when submitting. Also, please include your e-mail address in case we need to contact you.

If you submit images with an enhancement through software beyond contrast, exposure, and simple saturation adjustments please indicate the software and "filter" used to attain that effect. - Editor

Want to see images selected for past Picture This! assignments? Go to www.shutterbug.com and click on Picture This! in the "More Articles..." box on the homepage." or click  Past Winners