Pointing the Lens At Environmental Problems

Thursday, November 4, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

8th Annual Appalachian Mountain Photography
Competition Accepting Submissions Through Dec. 17

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CONTACTS
Jamie Goodman … Appalachian Voices … 828-262-1500
Andrew Miller … Appalachian State University … 828-262-4954
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Point your lens at Appalachia and help document environmental threats to the region in the 8th Annual Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition.

For a second year, environmental organization Appalachian Voices will be hosting the “Our Ecological Footprint” category, offering a $200 prize for images that create a visual connection to environmental injustices damaging the rich eco-systems of the Appalachian mountains.

“The Appalachian region is one of the most beautiful and unique places in America, but as a society, we sometimes unknowingly encourage the destruction of our mountains and forests,” said Sandra Diaz, Development and Communications Director for Appalachian Voices. “We hope photographers will help us document threats to our region and educate the public on the need for all of us to be involved in protecting Appalachia.”

The winner of the category will also receive a year’s membership to Appalachian Voices and their image will be in a future issue of the organization’s environmental newspaper, The Appalachian Voice.

Sponsored by Outdoor Programs at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., the Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition is divided into seven separate categories relating to Appalachian culture, scenery and natural environment. Over $4,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded.

A panel of professional photographers will jury the entries, with approximately forty-six finalists selected to show in an exhibition at Appalachian State University’s world-class Turchin Center for the Visual Arts from Feb. 4 through June 4, 2011.

This year’s competition categories include: Adventure; Blue Ridge Parkway Vistas; Blue Ridge Parkway Share the Journey®; Culture; Our Ecological Footprint; Flora and Fauna; and Landscape.

This year’s Blue Ridge Parkway Share the Journey® category theme is The Parkway Tree Project. Photographers are encouraged to capture images of trees along the Parkway that contribute to the character, environment and/or aesthetic of the scenic road. Those submitting images to the Tree Project will be asked to identify the tree species, document the tree’s location (via GPS, Parkway milepost, or other method), and describe in a paragraph or short story why the photographed tree is of particular significance.
Deadline for the competition is 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 17, 2010. Photographers must be 13 years of age or older to enter. Please visit www.appmtnphotocomp.org for details or to enter the competition.

Appalachian Voices is a regional environmental organization employing grassroots campaigns to educate citizens about issues affecting the air, land and water of central and southern Appalachia.

The AMPC is a partnership between Appalachian State University’s Outdoor Programs, The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. AMPC is made possible through the sponsorship of Virtual Blue Ridge, the premier online resource for the Blue Ridge Parkway and the generous support of Appalachian Voices; Bistro Roca, Inventive American Cuisine; Footsloggers Outdoor and Travel Outfitters; Mast General Stores; and Peabody’s Wine and Beer Merchants. For more information, call ASU Outdoor Programs at 828-262-4954.

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Images of previous winners from the Appalachian Mountains Photography Competition are available for use by visiting www.appmtnphotocomp.org and clicking to Media and Press. Images are for use in the promotion of the Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition only. Please provide proper image credits.