Q Do I have to save the entry form pdf to CD?
A No need to. Some people have found saving the pdf to CD tricky. Just print a copy of the entry form and fill it out by hand, and include it in the post with your CD of images.

Q Who can enter?
A Anyone can enter. Amateur, professional, under 18, Australian residents, overseas visitors. You just need to be the person taking the photo.

Q What are the prizes?

A There is a $500 cash prize for best in competition. There is also $100 cash for each category winner, for People’s Choice and best Junior entry.
Each winner will also receive tourism prizes such as accommodation averaging about $500 in value, and a medal. Runners-up will get a medal. Selected shortlisted entries will be awarded a certificate of merit.

Total prize value will be more than $4,000. See more.

Q Do photographs have to be taken in a particular area or time period?
A Photos need to be taken in the Otway Tourism area. As shown on the map, this is the area on the Great Ocean Road between Wye River in the east, and Johanna in the west. It also extends up through the Otway ranges to the area north of Colac. Lorne and the 12 Apostles are outside the area.
Photos can be taken any time in the year before the closing date - 14 September 2009, ie Sept 2008 – Sept 2009.

Q What mediums are allowed – digital? Film? Monochrome?
A All entries must be in electronic format, submitted in both low density and high density jpg files, submitted on a CD. Colour and monochrome images are acceptable. See the conditions for details.
The following will not be accepted: film, slides, prints, audio visuals or movies. In future years, moving images may be included.

Q Can I enter photos that have been entered in other competitions?
A Yes.

Q How many photos can I enter?
A You can enter up to four photos in each of the four main categories: Landscape/ Seascape; Rural/ Agriculture; Natural History; Action Tourism. You can also enter up to 12 photos in the Showing the World category.

Q Is there an entry fee?
A Yes. $10 for the first category, and $7 for each subsequent category entered. There is no fee for Showing the World category.
For example, If entering 4 photos in Landscape/ Seascape, 3 Photos in Natural History, 4 photos in Action Tourism and 7 photos in Showing the World, the fee would be $10 + $7 +$7 + $0 = $24.
The fee for Juniors is half the full fee.

Q How do I enter? Can I email my entry?
A Entries will only be accepted by CD, accompanied by a print of the official Entry Form. LINK Email entries will not be accepted. This is because of the file sizes involved.

Q How do I get the Entry Form?
A To get an entry form you need to email us. We will send you a copy of the entry form in a reply email. That way we have your email and can email competition updates to you, such as final details of the informative workshops in June and October. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Q Who owns the photos? What if I want to keep sole copyright of my photograph?

A All photos submitted will be on the condition that they can be used by Otways Tourism, Geelong Otway Tourism or Otway Tourism members non-exclusively for any purpose in any format. The maker will also retain the right non-exclusively to use and sell the photos. Otways Tourism will attribute the maker when photos are displayed, where reasonably possible.
We may also use the images for promotional materials such as booklets and calendars which may be sold to the public at a price that recovers printing costs.

If you wish to retain sole copyright, you should not enter the competition.

Q How are the photos going to be displayed?
A Selected shortlisted photos will be printed and mounted by the committee and put on public display leading up to the awarding of prizes. We also want to give as much exposure as possible to the photos and the photographers. For example, some photos will be displayed in Visitor Information Centres, online and during external promotions. Where possible we will also promote the photographers involved.

Q How are the photos being judged?
A A panel of judges will judge the photos by viewing them electronically, using usual photographic society guidelines. Judges will come with a range of perspectives representing the photography community and the tourism community. Some of Australia’s most experienced judges are on the panel.

Q How can I find out where there are interesting places to photograph in the Otways Tourism area?
A There are many attractions in the area, such as those shown on the Visit Otways page and on our map page. We also will be running some workshops in June where experienced local photographers will give some tips and examples. Our region is unique in its diversity of fabulous subjects, from the spectacular Great Ocean Road, harbours, fishing fleets, waterfalls, rainforest, native animals and birds, farms, vineyards, attractions such as The Fly forest top walk and many more.

Q What feedback information do I get after I enter? How do I find out if I am shortlisted for a prize? Is there a final catalogue?
A After judging, all entrants will be emailed details of shortlisted entries. After the prize awards, a catalogue will be emailed showing winners and all awards.

Q Do I get camera society credit for entering the competition?
A No. The competition has not yet sought recognition as a camera society competition. This may change in future years.

Q How does the Showing the World category work? What is Panoramio?

To enter this category entrants will need to load up their own pictures on Panoramio, the Google owned album that contains only geographically located pictures - showing the world in its current state. It does not allow pictures of people. A large proportion of pictures will be migrated by Google to Google Earth and Google Maps. See more about Panoramio.

Q Where can I get accommodation if I come to visit? Is there a competition discount?
A See the list of excellent range of accommodation on our accommodation page. We don’t yet have blanket discounts for photographers entering the competition, but feel free to ask the accommodation operator if they give photography competition discount - some already do.

Q What do the letters like AAPS after judges' names mean?

A Recognition by the various photographic societies like APS for photographic skills and service.

Q What if I have other questions?

A Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Please check all the FAQs before you email questions to us.

We look forward to receiving your entry.