Labor Day weekend presents photographers with one final opportunity for good photos before Beaufort county’s annual photo contest deadline at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3.

[caption id="attachment_12638" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/News-Photo-Contest-by-Chris-Kirk.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-12638" alt="Winning shot by Chris Kirk" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/News-Photo-Contest-by-Chris-Kirk-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> Winning shot by Chris Kirk[/caption]

County Administrator Gary Kubic said getting outdoors and taking photos is a great way to enjoy the holiday. “What a perfect way to celebrate our wonderful environment and distinctive quality of life! This year’s theme, The Sky’s the Limit, presents boundless possibilities for our talented local photographers.”

Winning photos will appear in the C]county’s 2014 calendar, which promotes the Rural and Critical Land Preservation Program.  Photos must be taken within the physical boundaries of Beaufort county and reflect the five categories shown in the official County seal: (1) Oak Trees; (2) Shrimp Boats; (3) Fish and Other Marine Life; (4) Lowcountry Homes; and (5) Beaches, Waterways, and Inlets.  A minimum of three and maximum of five photos in any combination of categories is allowable.

At least one photo should be from one of the following preserved County sites:  Altamaha Town Heritage Preserve; the Barringer Tract and Fort Fremont on Saint Helena Island; the Bluffton Oyster Company; the Buddy and Zoo Landing on Station Creek (formerly Jones Landing); the Burch Tract at Mannigault’s Neck; Crystal Lake on Lady’s Island;

[caption id="attachment_12639" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/News-Photo-Contest-by-Richard-Henry.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-12639" alt="Winning shot by Richard Henry" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/News-Photo-Contest-by-Richard-Henry-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> Winning shot by Richard Henry[/caption]

Factory Creek on Lady’s Island; Ihly Farm near MCAS in northern Beaufort county; New Riverside and Pinckney colony Park in greater Bluffton; Okatie Preserve; Stoney Preserve and the Mitchellville Road Beach Parcel on Hilton Head Island; the Green in Beaufort’s Old Point; and Widgeon Point on Lemon Island.

A liability release is required for some sites, which are still in their wild state.  All photo prints must be 8x10 or 10x8 and include the following on the back: name of the photographer, title of the photo, the location of the shot, and the entry category number and theme.  Digital images must be submitted on a disc in jpeg format of at least 300 dpi or greater.  E-mailed photos will not be accepted.  The photos and discs will not be returned and must be mailed with all required forms to:

Beaufort County Photo Contest
c/o Beaufort County Administrator
Post Office Drawer 1228
Beaufort, SC 29901-1228

Maps, rules, all required forms, and other contest details are located on the rotating slider on the home page of the county’s website: www.bcgov.net. For more information, call (843) 575-5196.