Congratulations winners of the 2022 AVA Photo Contest

Thanks to everyone who entered the Albany Visitors Association 2022 Photo Contest, and we are excited to announce the winners! 

See the video of the winners below (LINK after the list). The video may also be viewed on YouTube and at the Pix Theatre before feature films. The following photographs and many more may also be viewed on the AVA FLICKR site.

Thanks again to all who entered the contest and we hope to see your new photographs next year.

The winners of the 15th Annual Albany Visitors Association Photography Contest are:

• Champion – “Summer Cousins,” by Hannah Darling
• Reserve Champion – “Dahlia Field,” Millersburg by Dave Maestas
• People’s Choice, – “Water, Water, Everywhere,” Koosah Falls by Dave Taube
• Student – “Icarus Mural” by Mikayla Chaffins

Culinary:

1st Place –  “Can’t Hardly Wait,” by Jolene Thomson

2nd Place –   “Oregon Wine Country,” by Hannah Darling         

3rd Place – “Tet Treats,” by Stephanie Low

 Events:

1st Place – “Auto Show at Linn Co Expo Center,” by Dave Maestas

2nd Place – “Cumberland on the Move,” by Camron Settlemier

3rd Place – “Always Remember,” by Camron Settlemier

Historic Albany:

1st Place – “Snow at Central School,” by Melinda Martin

2nd Place – “Hoffman Bridge,” by Dave Maestas          

3rd Place – “Tulips,” by Camron Settlemier

Landmarks:

1st Place – “Carousel & Museum,” by Dave Maestas

2nd Place – “Only in Albany,” by Stephanie Low

3rd Place – “Porky Departing the Station,” by Camron Settlemier

 People:

1st Place – “Splash!” by Stephanie Low

2nd Place – “Hug a Tree,” by Melinda Martin

3rd Place – “Fall in the Park,” by Katrina Wilson                   

Scenic:

1^st Place – “Sunrise Over Downtown Albany” by Loretta Robinson

2nd Place – “Timber Linn Park Pond,” by Ron Sanders

3rd Place – “Dapper Duck,” by Dan Bateman

 

See the video HERE

 

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONTEST

PURPOSE:    The purpose of this contest is to find images suitable for use in the marketing program for Albany, Linn County and the Willamette Valley.

Photograph Subject

We ask that your work specifically feature Albany and surrounding Linn County. The images we most commonly use in our publications, advertisements and social media feature people enjoying life in our area.

We know visitors want to see images of people relishing fantastic food and drink (micro-breweries, distilleries, winemakers), participating in events (Art & Air, shows at the Expo Center), having a great time outdoors (hiking, biking, and paddling in our parks and around town) and enjoying the beauty and majesty of our city’s historic architecture! PLEASE NOTE: all photos depicting water recreation must be compliant with life jacket laws.

Since it can be hard to get just the right shot with people, consider staging something with people you know.  That way it’s easy to have them complete the model release form. Please be safe and abide by COVID safety guidelines.

Photograph image resolution, size & shape

Photos should be large file sizes (biggest size image setting on your camera, 300 dpi and 1MB minimum in size).  Photos should be standard rectangular portrait or landscape; square, panoramic or custom ratios are more difficult to place within our ads.

Images that have digitally applied effects (such as montages, double exposures or vignettes) cannot be used in AVA publications or national advertising.

Photograph Subject Categories  – sometimes we will recommend that an image be placed in a category different than the one you submit

Culinary: We live in the proverbial bread-basket of culinary delights: farm-to-table special dinners; farmer’s markets; renowned and award-winning chefs; cozy coffee houses and bakeries; wineries and breweries; German and Hungarian restaurants. Our city bubbles over with bounty. Visit a local restaurant or a unique foodie or drink venue and let people know what delicious rewards await them. Attend the farmer’s market and capture the bounty.

Events: Remember you can use photos from 2020, 2021, or 2022.

Historic Albany: If you live in Albany, you know that we have deep historical roots. Our city has four nationally recognized historic districts. Albany’s architectural styles vary from the mid- 1800s to the 1950s. Grab a copy of “Seems Like Old Times” and document your personal visual tour or join us on one of the seasonal guided tours. We need images from all seasons so consider revisiting your favorite place at different times of the year!

Landmarks: What is your landmark when you tell friends to meet you in Albany? Is it the Historic Carousel or maybe the clock tower at the Albany Train Station? A landmark is unique to Albany and lends itself to the quintessential identity of our city. Even an old building with a Victorian painted advertisement on a brick wall or a statue could be a landmark.

People: Visitors love to see people enjoying themselves, but we know it can be hard to get the shot right and get strangers to sign release forms. Consider enlisting your family and friends at a picnic in your favorite Albany park or enjoying a meal from your favorite restaurant.

Scenic: Visit our parks, the Willamette River, hiking trails, vineyards and surrounding rural vistas and urban hideaways. Find something you think will make someone want to come visit us and represents the unique charm of our region. Rustic barns, farm stands, bountiful gardens, wildflowers and wildlife, the Willamette Valley with distant snow-capped mountains. This category includes last year’s “Life in the Community” category.

Student: For young photographers ages 18 and under.

Judging:

A committee of judges will (anonymously) assess photos for subject and composition. Judges will consider some of the following criteria: is the subject appropriate for the category, is it a really good/unusual example of that subject, is the composition in focus, does it draw you in, is it original? Judges will determine Champion and Reserve Champion winners and People’s Choice will be judged on the AVA Flickr site (if you sign in) or on Facebook.

Winners will be announced in March 2022. Winning photographs will be showcased in a professional video shown at the Pix Theatre before feature films following the contest, on the AVA website and YouTube and displayed at the Albany Amtrak Station. There will not be an in-person awards presentation this year.

Prizes:

Champion, Reserve Champion, and People’s Choice awards will be $225, $150 and $75, respectively.  All first-place through third-place winners will receive a certificate and a gift card to the Pix Theatre to see their photos on the big screen.

Who can enter?

The contest is open to all ages, all levels: from amateur to professional or hobbyist.

How to Enter:

Email info@albanyvisitors.com and we will send you the online entry form through Survey Monkey – you do not need a subscription to use the survey. You do need the following rules and forms:

 

View 2020 and 2021 winners and get ideas