What is an entry?

An entry consists of an entry form, a single file, a caption, and an entry fee.

What are the categories?

Photo Categories

Alpacas and Friends

Photos of alpacas interacting with their friends. Friends may be other alpacas, other 4-legged creatures, or even 2-legged creatures!

Alpacas and the Seasons

Photos of alpacas through the seasons and in their holiday wear.

Black and White

Black and white photos of alpacas saved in the grayscale color space.

Crias

Photos of those loveable, huggable alpaca babies.

Farm Scene

Scenic photos of alpacas and where they live.

Humor

Photos of alpacas doing what makes us laugh.

Video Category

Alpaca Farm Life

Videos depicting life on the farm with alpacas.

Is there a limit to the number of entries that I can enter?

No, you may enter as many entries as you like.

What format should I save my digital images?

Digital images should be saved at 300 dpi (around 9" or larger) jpeg. We recommend the uncompressed file size not be larger than 5 megabytes to ensure a fast upload experience. We can accept images up to 10 megabytes (uncompressed) if you do not have the ability to downsize the images. (Uncompressed is the size you see in Photoshop's "Image Size" display which represents the count of pixels in the image. It is not the file size on your computer's hard drive viewable on your desktop.) Images may be color profiled in sRGB, Adobe-1998, or not color-managed.

What format should I save my video files?

Videos should be saved in a format compatible with YouTube.

What size should my image be if I would like my photo to be considered for Judge's Choice?

Only photos a minimum size of 2,588 pixels wide by 2,588 pixels tall will be considered.

Is there a time frame for when my photos or video must have been taken to qualify for this contest?

No, there are no time frame restrictions for this contest.

I have entered my photo or video in another competition. Does this disqualify my entry?

No, we allow images and videos that have been entered or have won in other photo competitions, as long as it has not been previously entered to this contest.

Should I watermark my images?

No, we will appropriately credit all winning photographers.

Can I enter if I live outside of the U.S.?

Except where prohibited by law, international entries can be submitted.

Will my images be sold?

No. You retain copyright to your photograph and the Sponsors may not sell your photo entry for a fee. All entries may be posted online so that viewers may view all competing entries. All entries may be used in connection with the Contest and promotion of the Contest and promotion of Alpaca Owners Association, Inc.

How will my photos be judged?

Entries will be judged on the basis of originality, technical excellence, composition, overall impact, artistic merit, and effectiveness in expressing the contest category.

• Focus — distinctness or clarity of an image rendered by the camera.
• Depth of Field — The range of acceptably sharp focus in front of and behind the distance the lens is focused on.
• Exposure — Light striking a sensitized material (film or paper emulsion).
• Lighting — the distribution of light on an object or figure in the photo.
• Composition — the placement or arrangement of visual elements in the photo, as distinct from the subject in that photo.
• Rule of Thirds — guideline which proposes that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections; thus creating more tension, energy, and interest in the composition than simply centering the subject would.

When will the winners be announced?

Winners will be displayed at the AOA National Fleece Show and on the Contest website.

Do you still have questions?

For additional questions contact AOA.