Get Snap Happy!

Attention photographers of all ages: The AMPI “Say Cheese” photo contest is back for another year with new categories and prizes!

Winners will be named in each category, each receiving $100 in AMPI bucks. The winning photos will appear in future AMPI publications.

All entries are due by midnight — Sept. 1, 2013.

Rules for Entry: This competition is open to AMPI member households only. Only amateur photographers may enter. Entries must be the original work of the photographer making the submission. There is no limit to the number of photos you may enter.

1. Entries will be judged in two categories.

My AMPI - These pictures will include the cooperative’s logo on a farm sign, milk truck, hat or t-shirt, for example. Be creative!

Life on the Farm - From sunrise to sunset, farm life provides plenty of photo opportunities. Keep your camera nearby to snap the next winning shot.

2. All entries must be submitted electronically.

Photos must be in .jpg format and be emailed to Nickie Sabo (sabon@ampi.com).

3. Photos must be high resolution.

All photos submitted should be at a file size of 1MB-8MB.

4. Include the following information when emailing your photo(s). 

Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code
AMPI Division
Category (1 or 2)
Entry title
Where the photo was taken
Who took the photo
Names of those in the photo (ID left to right)
Information about the photo (50 words or fewer please)

Judging Criteria: Photos will be judged based on composition, creativity, technical quality, how relevant it is to the category and overall impression.

*By entering the contest, photographers automatically give AMPI and the Dairymen's Digest magazine permission to publish the winning images.

Tips for shooting like a pro

1. Shoot during the "magic hours." The magic or golden hours include the first and last hours of the day and are the best times to capture dramatic lighting.

2. Take your time. Don't just snap one photo and move on. Patience is key to getting that right moment. Walk around the scene to scope out different angles and perspectives.

3. Remember the rule of thirds. Get away from placing your subjects in the center of the frame. Imagine a tic-tac-toe grid over your picture and place the subject of the photo along these grid lines or at their intersections. This makes the image more appealing to the eye and adds a more dramatic emphasis to the subject.

4. Clean up your background. Before pressing the button, quickly check all four corners of the frame for any poles, trees, cars or other elements that might take away or intrude on your subject.

5. Use a tripod. To get tack-sharp images, mount your camera on a tripod. Even the slightest movement while pressing the button can blur an image, especially when shooting in low-light conditions.

6. Move around. Get away from shooting all of your pictures with the camera at eye level. Think like an animal! Go for the bird's-eye view and get above the subject or try the worm's-eye view approach. Crouch or even get on your belly to shoot. You'll achieve more dramatic photos by changing your perspective.

Tips taken from a Rural Missouri magazine article by photographer Kyle Spradley.