Photo Contest

This Light of Ours Photo Contest

Inspired by the powerful work of the nine activist photographers featured in This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement, the community is invited to share original photos that touch on a social topics important to them. Whether you’re concerned about online hate speech, challenges to voter rights or racial inequality, we want to see an issue related to freedom, equality or civil rights through your eyes.

WHY:

While all entrants work may be shared via the Museum’s website and social media, the top winner in each category will have their photo displayed at the Museum in May 2017, and featured in the fall issue of Reflections magazine. S/he also receives a Membership gift package valued at $125.

WHEN:

Submissions will be accepted NOW – Monday, April 17, 2017.

WHO:

There are 3 entry categories: Youth (grades 3–6), Student (grades 7–12) and Adult (ages 18+).

HOW:

Phone, scanned, point-and-shoot and DSLR photographs welcome, but all must be the original work of the entrant. Images cannot be digitally altered beyond standard optimization. Files must be at least 1MB in size.

Only 1 (one) entry per contestant, please.

Each entry must include:

  • Name, category and school (if applicable)
  • A completed consent form filled out by entrant, parent or guardian.
  • A brief (100 words or less) statement that detailing the issue captured—why the picture was taken and what change s/he wants to see happen or has witnessed taking place
  • An ethical and responsible image with permission received from people, animals or objects in the photo

The Maltz Museum reserves the right to not accept a photo into this contest if the above list is not met.

A panel of community judges will review images for:

  • Adherence/appropriateness to theme
  • Inspirational power
  • Clarity of expression and artistic statement
  • Overall artistic impression/impact
  • Creativity
  • Composition
  • Color, lighting, exposure and focus

Photos may be shown in the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, throughout the community and on social media. All entries become the property of the Museum and will not be returned. The Museum reserves the right to cancel modify or delay the contest. The Maltz Museum is committed to protecting the privacy all entrants. The Museum keeps all phone numbers, emails and street address confidential and does not share this information with any other organization without express permission. We do not advertise to children or solicit children for marketing information and we never knowingly release the names of the children to third parties.

 

This Light of Ours photo contest form

Download complete rules and entry form here.

Enter Now

I give permission to the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage to use pictures, slides, digital images, or other reproductions of my photo contest entry and to put the finished images to use without compensation in productions, publications, online, or in other printed or electronic materials related to the This Light of Ours Photo Contest or the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage.

Also, by entering this contest, I acknowledge that I carefully considered my entry and treated my photo subjects the way I myself would want to be treated. I agree to the following statements:

  • I’m not sharing a portrait of someone without their express permission.
  • I am not submitting a photo that hurts others or is against the law.
  • I did not take a photo at a hospital, school, church or any public space where a level of privacy is generally expected.
  • I am not submitting defamatory and/or knowingly false material about my schoolmates, teachers, friends and or relatives.
  • I am not revealing someone else’s personal or confidential information.

 

QUESTIONS?

Contact Courtney Krieger at ckrieger@mmjh.org or 216.593.0593.


RELATED RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS

Interested in further exploring photography as a means for exposing social issues? Check out these suggestions from Facing History and Ourselves.

  • Facing Ferguson: News Literacy in a Digital Age: What is the role of journalism in a democratic society, and how can we become responsible consumers and producers of news and information in the digital age? https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/facing-ferguson-news-literacy-digital-age
  • The Power of Images: How do identity, life experience, and point of view shape the way we “read” and respond to photographs and other images? What factors should be considered when selecting images associated with a news event? https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/facing-ferguson-news-literacy-digital-age/power-images
  • Aftermath Project: A photojournalistic exploration of how individuals and communities reckon with mass violence, its legacies and the challenges of rebuilding communities after conflict. This collection features statements from each contributing artist, lesson ideas and supplemental resources. https://www.facinghistory.org/war-only-half-story
  • Journalism in a Digital Age: Use of the documentary film “Reporter” to explore the changing landscape of journalism and challenge students to consider their roles as creators and consumers of news. Our film excerpts, viewers’ guide, and lesson ideas gathered here will help you support students as they investigate the film’s complex questions about the changing landscape of journalism, students’ responsibilities as consumers of news, and what it means to be an engaged global citizen. https://www.facinghistory.org/journalism-digital-age

 


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