For a 27th year, the Gordon Parks Center in Fort Scott is facilitating the Gordon Parks Photography Competition, encouraging both local and international amateur photographers to submit photographs before the Oct. 1, deadline.
“The goal is to honor Gordon Parks through the medium he is most well-known for – photography,” said Jill Warford, executive director of the Gordon Parks Museum. “Another goal is to encourage and recognize photographers in Gordon’s name.”
Conducted by the Fort Scott Community College since 1990, the competition has had more than 4,000 people participate.
Individuals can submit up to five photographs, without any digital alteration, taken within the last two years. Each entry costs $10 and must follow the 2015 theme of “The Learning Tree” Years – taken from Parks’ novel of the same name which followed characters through different life transitions and influences.
Participants can use that theme for a photograph from any perspective, their own or someone else’s, as they capture scenes from life.
The competition will provide $500 in winnings, giving $200 to the first place winner, $100 to the second place, $75 to the third place photo and $25 apiece to five honorable mention photographs.
The first round of judging will be complete by Oct. 30, with 15-18 photos being selected for the finalists’ round, with finalist photographers notified by email. Winners will be named on the 103rd anniversary of Parks’ birthday, Nov. 30.
This year, only amateur photographers will be allowed to participate, excluding those who have a full-time job or make a living in photography.
Photo Credit: Gordon Parks Museum/Center for Culture and Diversity