John N.

APC is proud to announce the launch of the Dazzling Plants Photography Contest! This contest is designed to showcase the beauty of aquatic plants. It's easy to participate, all you need is a camera and your favorite aquatic plant. Now, go get those cameras out!

PRIZE

• 1st Place: Large Crypt and Anubias Package donated by Aquaspot World (shipping is to be paid by winner)
• 2nd Place: Small Crypt and Anubias Package donated by Aquaspot World (shipping is to be paid by winner)
• Participation Prize: Select individuals based on need and quality of photo will get their photo published on the Plantfinder database.

Rules:

• Max 3 entries per person (all entries become rightful property of APC)
• Photo(s) showcases and focuses on the beauty of any aquatic plant
• Digital Photo Editing Rules
  
• No identifying watermarks, stamps, etc. on photo entries
• Entries must be received by the Saturday June 30, 2007 5:00 pm (EST) deadline

Time Frame:

• Photo entries deadline: Saturday June 30, 2007 5:00 pm (EST).
• Voting Period: Monday July 2 - Sunday July 15, 2007

How to Enter:

• Please email all photo entries to APCcontests@gmail.com before the Contest Deadline Saturday June 30, 2007 5:00 pm (EST). Include "Plant Contest" in the subject line, and your APC username in the body of the email. Submit multiple entries (up to 3 photos) in one single email.

Voting for the Winner:

• Top 15 entries will be selected by APC staff for public voting
• Public Voting begins Monday July 2 and ends on Sunday July 15 using APC's Photo Album: Contest Category Photo rating system
• Voters will rank the Top 15 based on a 1-5 scale using the image rating tool. The pictures that ranks the highest wins!

Special Thanks: APC thanks Aquaspot World for generously donating prizes and offering to sponsor the contest. Please take a moment and visit their website for fantastic deals on rare and exotic plant packages.



Feel free to discuss the contest in this dedicated Dazzling Plant Photo Contest Thread in APC's Photography Section!

-John N.

John N.

We now have a prize listing of the packages from Aquaspot World:

1st Prize (large package)
- Anubias barteri var barteri 'Broad Leaf' (AN026) - 3 rhizomes
- Anubias barteri var 'nana' (AN013) - 1 rhizome
- Anubias barteri var nana 'Petite' (AN016) - 1 rhizome
- Cryptocoryne 'balansae' (CR059) - 10 rhizomes
- Cryptocoryne lucens (CR063) - 1 pot
- Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Mi Oya' (CR079) - 1 pot
- Taxiphyllum sp. 'Flame' (TA246) - 1 packet
- Taxiphyllum sp. 'Spiky' (TA245) - 1 packet

2nd Prize (small package):
- Anubias barteri var 'nana' (AN013) - 1 rhizome
- Anubias barteri var nana 'Petite' (AN016) - 1 rhizome
- Cryptocoryne lucens (CR063) - 1 pot
- Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Mi Oya' (CR079) - 1 pot
- Taxiphyllum sp. 'Spiky' (TA245) - 1 packet
- Taxiphyllum alternans (TA243) - 1 packet

Final Shipping charges (applies for both packages)
- USPS Priority - $20
- USPS Express - $35

Looks like the winners (you) are going to be receiving a nice selection of brand new plants!

-John N.

AQUAMX

Hi John

Are you accepting entries from international members?

I understand plants can not be shipped to me here in Aus but i would certainly like to enter regardless.

Thanks in advance

Brad

John N.

Hi Brad, anyone is free to enter. I'm not 100% sure on Aquaspot's international shipping policy, but it says they ship worldwide, and if they can, they will. Otherwise, we'll be happy to accept entries from the international folks just in the spirit of participation and competition!

Up to three (3) photo entries can be sent to APCcontests@gmail.com. Don't forget to include your username, and the plant ID to the photos. Good luck!

-John N.

AQUAMX

Hi John and thank you for your reply

The current laws here in Australia are so strict for importation of aquatic plants that new species only arrive here illegaly. Of course it would be great if the sponsoring company could get them to me with correct paperwork but i would hate to see them destroyed.

I would be happy simply to see my photo as part of your plant files to be honest, of course if my photography skills are up to that of others. The quality found here is always excellent.

I will forward my entry by the end of the month and look forward to seeing other entries.

Good luck to all

Brad

John N.

VOTING IS NOW OPEN!

PLEASE VOTE! Rate all the TOP 15 Entries on a 1-5 (highest) scale.

How to Rate the Images

1) View All 15 Entries CLICK HERE
2) Click on the first photo entry (#01)
3) Use the Rating Tool on the right to rate the image using a 5 point scale
4) Click "Next Image" in the center to rate the next one
5) Rate ALL 15 Entries

-John N.

cs_gardener

Just wondering, why is it a 5 point scale when the options are 1 to 10? I did vote based on five point. Are 6-10 disabled, I hope?

John N.

Great question. Points 5-10 are disabled/excluded by the software (PhotoPost PHP). And until we upgrade the software, the extra 5-10 will still be there. If anyone selects a ratings from 5-10 they will see a message that states an "invalid vote" and will have to vote again by selecting from 1-5 only. So no worries about people getting higher than the 5 point average in this contest. Sorry about the confusion, but I hope that clears things up.

Thanks for voting, we got some great entries this contest. Everyone please remember to rate all 15 images.

-John N.

cs_gardener

Thanks for the explanation. There are indeed some great entries. I must say I like this type of voting as I don't have to choose a favorite, just try to judge how well each entry fulfills the purpose of the contest. Happy voting everyone!

bangoaladar

Hi, I was surprized when I saw Oliver Knott's picture. It is a great shot but is out of rules :
" No identifying watermarks, stamps, etc. on photo entries "