Shutterbugs: LSU photo contest can make YOU famous ... fast

PHOTO like this could make you a winner.

The LSU AgCenter is once again offering photographers an opportunity to contribute to its popular Get It Growing calendar.

As in years past, it’s an opportunity for professional or amateur nature photographers to show off their work and earn recognition if their photos are selected for the 2008 Get It Growing gardening calendar.

Photographers chosen for the monthly pages will receive 10 copies of the published calendar, and their names will be included with their photos in the calendar, says Elma Sue McCallum, project coordinator. Other contributing photographers also will be listed with their photos, and they will receive two copies of the published calendar.

LSU AgCenter faculty members will select 40 or so photographs for the calendar, says McCallum.

"The Get It Growing calendar has become a popular item with Louisiana gardeners," McCallum said. "We’re proud to be able to feature the work of Louisiana photographers, as well as educational information on what to do for beautiful and lush lawns and gardens."

The 2007 edition of the calendar, which is a showcase of photos, monthly gardening tips, how-to information and other items based on Louisiana’s climate zones, is being sold. Online information and links to order the 2007 calendar are available by visiting www.lsuagcenter.com/GetItGrowingCalendar.

Work on the 2008 calendar will begin over the next few months, and it will be published about mid-year, according to McCallum.

A dozen of the photos selected for the 2008 calendar will be featured as full-page, full-bleed, four-color images for each monthly page in the calendar, and one will be used on the cover, McCallum said. The rest will be used throughout the calendar.

Submissions must be high-resolution digital images on CD, 5x7 color photos or transparencies with the photographer’s name, address, telephone number and e-mail address attached, McCallum said.

All images must be the original work of the photographer submitting the image.

"We’re asking that photographers pick their best lawn and garden scenes, photographs of plants and flowers and anything else they think would be suitable for a calendar of this type," McCallum said.

"All we ask is that individuals limit the number of images they enter to 25 or less."

The deadline for submissions is Feb. 28, 2007.