2026 Photography Contest

Entry Fees and Pass Information:

• Each entry costs $2.
• Season Passes and Fair Membership Passes include 15 entries per exhibitor.
• A 4‑H wristband includes 10 entries for the issued exhibitor.
• Passes and wristbands are non‑transferable, may not be shared, and may not be combined.
• Season Passes are available during registration.

Pre-Registration:
Pre‑registration will be shared on social media closer to the event. Please visit the Clinton County Fair Facebook page for details.

Entry Drop-Off:
Entry drop-off is only available during the times designated in the General Information. Entries will not be accepted after Saturday June 20th 1:00pm.

Disqualification Clause:
The Fair Committee reserves the right to disqualify and remove any photo submission that, in its sole discretion, does not align with the family-friendly atmosphere or the values upheld by the competition. Disqualified entries will not be displayed or included in any contest-related exhibitions.

Liability and Responsibility Disclaimer:
The Clinton County Agricultural Society and its committees are not responsible for items that are not picked up by the designated release time, nor are they liable for any vandalism if it were to occur to exhibitors’ photos during the fair.

Divisions, Rules, and Judging Criteria:

This section defines the available divisions, outlines the official rules for participation, and details the judging criteria used to evaluate entries. It is important to review this section carefully to ensure your entry is submitted to the correct division, follows all guidelines, and meets the expectations for judging.

Youth Division:
Noted by (Y01) The Youth Division is divided into two age groups. This division is designated for individuals who were within the specified age brackets as of January 1st of the current year. The photos submitted in this division can be color or black and white. A Youth Best in show and Youth Reserve in show will be awarded for the Youth Division.

Open Division:
Noted by (01, 02, 03) The Open Division is open to participants of all ages. Youth exhibitors who enter the Youth Division are also eligible to participate in the Open Division. The Open Division includes color (01). black-and-white (02), as well as framed and matted (3) entries which are defined in the next section.

Color: (01)
All photos must be printed in color and submitted according to the general photo entry guidelines.

Black and White: (02)
All photos must be printed strictly in black and white—no color or color accents are permitted. Entries should be submitted according to the general photo entry guidelines.

Framed and Matted: (03)
All photos must be framed and matted for display. The maximum exterior dimensions of the frame (including matte and frame) must not exceed 20×24 inches. The minimum visible photo area must be at least 7.5 x 7.5 inches, regardless of matte or frame size.
Photos must be printed between 8×8 inches and 11×14 inches, and may be displayed in portrait or landscape orientation. Frames must be secure and ready to hang. Entries that do not meet these requirements will not be accepted.

Class: (01, 02, 03)
Exhibitors are responsible for ensuring their entries clearly reflect the intended spirit of each class theme. Entries that fail to align with the subject matter may be disregarded by the judge during the contest judging.

Open Class: (Y01, 01, 02, 03)
The Open Class is open to any subject matter, allowing exhibitors to submit photos of their choice, regardless of whether the subject qualifies for other specific classes. This class provides flexibility for a wide range of photographic themes and styles.

Photo Size Requirements: (Y01, 01, 02, 03)
(All Divisions and Classes): The minimum photo size is 8×8 inches, and the maximum photo size is 11×14 inches. Photos submitted within this range may be in either portrait or landscape orientation.

Photo Ownership: (Y01, 01, 02, 03)
The photo must be taken by the exhibitor. Entries submitted must be the original work of the individual submitting the photo.

Photo Print Requirement: (Y01, 01, 02, 03)
The photo must be printed and developed on photographic paper. Digital or printed images on non-photographic materials will not be judged during the contest.

Mounting Requirements for Matte Board Entries: (Y01, 01, 02)
All photo entries must be flat mounted on a 16”x20” white matte board, with the 20” side oriented vertically (portrait format). The Photo Committee will punch a hole at the top center of the matte board for display purposes — no pre-punched holes or alternate hanging methods are permitted. Photos must be securely attached to the matte board using one of the following suggested adhesives: Glue stick, Double-sided tape, Spray adhesive. Cuts or windows in the matte board are not allowed. The matte board must remain intact and unaltered aside from the committee-installed hanging hole. Matte boards may be available for purchase at the fair office. Please contact the office at 937-382-4443 for current pricing and availability. Matte boards can also be purchased from online retailers and regional craft stores.

Composite Photos: (Y01, 01, 02, 03)
Composite photos—images created by combining elements from multiple photographs into a single image—are not permitted, except in the case of exposure stacking or focus stacking, which are allowed. All other entries must be single-exposure photographs that accurately represent the original scene. Acceptable editing techniques are listed under the permitted photo editing guidelines.

No AI-Generated Images: (Y01, 01, 02, 03)
AI-generated images or photos created using artificial intelligence tools are not permitted. However, the use of AI-based removable tools (e.g., for object removal or cleanup within an otherwise authentic photo) is allowed, provided the final image remains true to the original scene. All edits must fall within the permitted photo editing techniques outlined in the rules.

Best in Show and Reserve in Show Eligibility: (Y01, 01, 02, 03)
The winners of Best in Show and Reserve in Show awards in both the Youth and Open classes are not eligible to enter the same winning photo in the following year’s competition.

Judging:
The judge has a background in the creative arts and will evaluate entries based on the established judging criteria. Judging will be conducted blindly, with no identifying information visible on entries. To ensure fairness, the judge is not permitted to enter photographs into the competition.

Judging Criteria: (Y01, 01, 02, 03)

1. **Composition**: The arrangement of elements within the frame and how they interact with each other.
2. **Creativity**: The originality and uniqueness of the photo’s concept or execution.
3. **Technical Skill**: The use of lighting, exposure, focus, and other technical aspects to enhance the image quality.
4. **Emotional Impact**: The ability of the photo to evoke emotions or convey a powerful message.
5. **Subject Matter**: How well the photo aligns with the theme or guidelines of the contest.
6. **Storytelling**: The ability of the photo to tell a story or capture a moment.
7. **Visual Appeal**: The overall aesthetics, colors, and visual attractiveness of the photo.
8. **Attention to Detail**: The photographer’s attention to small elements that enhance the overall image.

Permitted Photo Editing Techniques: (Y01, 01, 02, 03)

1. **Cropping**: Adjusting the composition by cropping unwanted elements from the frame.
2. **Exposure and Brightness**: Fine-tuning the overall exposure and brightness levels to achieve the desired look.
3. **Contrast and Saturation**: Enhancing the contrast and saturation to make colors pop and add visual impact.
4. **White Balance**: Adjusting the white balance to correct color temperature and achieve accurate color representation.
5. **Sharpening**: Applying sharpening to enhance the clarity and details in the image.
6. **Noise Reduction**: Reducing digital noise in low-light or high ISO photos.
7. **Lens Corrections**: Correcting lens distortions, chromatic aberrations, and vignetting.
8. **Straightening and Rotating**: Aligning the photo properly by straightening horizons or correcting tilts.
9. **Spot Removal**: Removing small distractions or imperfections from the image.
10. **Dodging and Burning**: Selectively lightening or darkening specific areas to control the focus and depth in the photo.
11. **Selective Color Adjustments**: Making color adjustments to specific areas while leaving other parts unchanged.
12. **Graduated Filters**: Applying graduated filters to balance exposure in scenes with varying lighting conditions.
13. **Cloning and Healing**: Using cloning or healing tools to remove larger objects or distractions from the image.
14. **Vignettes**: Adding subtle vignettes to draw attention to the center of the photo.
15. **Black and White Conversion**: Converting the photo to black and white while controlling tonal ranges.
16. **Focus Stacking**: Combining multiple images taken at different focus distances to create a final image with a greater depth of field.
17. **Exposure Stacking** Blending several images taken at different exposures to extend dynamic range, preserve details in highlights and shadows, and achieve a more balanced final image.