Photography

Superintendent: Trudy Pedley (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 402-540-0393)

Online Registration: July 1-25

Check in: Tuesday, July 30 1-6pm in Ag Society Hall

Judging: Wednesday, July 31 in Ag Society Hall (Not open to public)

Exhibits Open to Public: Thursday Aug 1 to Sunday, August 4^th, 10am-9pm daily. (Closes at 8pm Sunday)

Entry Fees: None if pre-entered by July 25^th.

Late Entry Fee: Late entries will be accepted; however, a $1 late fee will be charged for each exhibit entered after July 25^th.

General Show Rules

HOW TO SIGN UP:

Step 1:

Read the rules and regulations.

PREMIUMS

1st place: $5
2nd place: $4
3rd place: $3
4th place: $2 (only in Youth)
Additional Premium for Special Awards The 2023 Best of Show will be eligible to represent Lancaster County in the 2024 Nebraska State Fair’s “Best of County” class.

PREMIUM PAYOUTS & RELEASE TIMES

Open Static premium payouts will be available Sunday, August 4, 8:30–10 p.m. and Monday, August 5, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. in the Ag Society Hall, including Open Quilts. 

IMPORTANT: Get payouts first, then pick up your exhibit(s) during this time. All Open Static exhibits can be picked up in Ag Society Hall except Open Quilts will be in the Lancaster Room.

• Open Quilts premiums will be available in the Lancaster Room if exhibitor has no other Open Static exhibits entered under same name in the Ag Society Hall.

• 4-H’ers may pick up their Open Static premiums and exhibits during Open Static move-out times listed above OR during 4-H Static exhibit release on Monday, Aug. 5, 7–11 a.m. in the Ag Society Hall — your choice.

• All Open Static premiums not picked up at above specified times will be forfeited and any Open Static exhibits not picked up will be thrown away or donated.

SHOW RULES

There are three Photography Divisions:

• Adults (19 & up as of January 1 of current year)

• Youth ages 10-13 (as of January 1 of current year)

• Youth ages 14-18 (as of January 1 of current year).

  • Due to space limitations only one exhibit may be entered for each class number.

  • The same photograph cannot be entered in more than one class.

  • Exhibits must be entered and picked up on dates shown above.

  • Photographs previously entered are not eligible. 

Mounting: 

• All photos must be mounted on foam board or mat board and may be single-matted.

• Mounting size must be 11”x14” except Class #417 Panoramic.

• Photographs must be unframed.

• Do not cover with cellophane, acetate or glass. NO HANGERS, PLEASE. 

Other Guidelines:

• All photos must be original and must have been taken by the exhibitor.

• Photos previously entered in any Lancaster County Fair are not eligible.

• Photos that have been altered or manipulated through a digital or computer process must be entered in either Youth Class #106 or #206 “Computer Altered” or Adult Class #501, #505 or #506.

• Minimal computer enhancement will be allowed in all other classes.

• The judges will reserve the right to reclassify photos deemed to be incorrectly entered. 

Identification: 

Please place the following information on the BACK of each photo:
Exhibitor's Name – Address – Tel. No. - Class # and Title

JUDGING

Judging is merit-based and will be conducted according to the following criteria:
Technique: Focus, lighting, exposure, depth of field
Composition: Focal point, balance, framing
Impact: Creativity, interest, mood/humor, appropriateness for class, the "WOW" factor.

At judges' discretion, no placing will be awarded if exhibits do not merit placing. At Superintendent's and Judge's discretion classes with few entries may be combined with others, and classes with an overly large number of entries may be sub-divided.

Due care will be exercised in handling each exhibit. The Lancaster County Agricultural Society is not responsible for articles lost, damaged or stolen.

SPECIAL AWARDS

The Best of Show will be selected from the Champion Black and White Photo and Champion Color Photo for both adult and youth divisions.

People’s Choice will be determined by a vote of fair goers for adult and youth divisions.

The Adult Best in County Photography Award winner qualifies to enter into the Nebraska State Fair.  The Photography Department Superintendent will provide the winner with instructions and forms needed to enter the exhibit in the Nebraska State Fair.

Step 2:

View Class List 

Step 3:

Enter Classes  - Open Now!