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North Carolina 4-H Photography Contest

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Dr Kim IngoldFrom this day forward our NC 4-H Photography contest will be known as the Dr. Kim Ingold 4-H Photography Contest.
Dr. Kim Ingold developed her love of photography as a Stanly County 4-H member. Throughout her 4-H career, she was involved in county, district, and state events, which developed her photography skills. Kim was inducted into the NC 4-H Honor Club (our service organization with over 3,000 members with outstanding records of achievement and service involvement and dedicated to making the best better). Kim was a valued Honor Club member and believed in its mission of giving back to her community. When Kim aged out of 4-H, she became a treasured 4-H volunteer, attending most state level 4-H events to capture our memories through her photography. She was passionate about educating youth in any way she could. Kim was always there with camera in hand and more importantly there with a smile, a kind word, and a hug. In 2019 we lost Kim in a tragic car accident and will forever be missed in our North Carolina 4-H family.

Purpose of Contest

  • Highlights North Carolina 4-H’ers’ photographic achievements. The winning photos are displayed on the 4-H Photography Contest website.
  • Allow 4-H’ers to be creative and EXPLORE the 4-H Photography Curriculum.
  • Take the time and research how to take the best picture.
  • Practice, Practice, and Practice some more by taking 100’s of pictures to capture that 1 amazing shot.
  • Connect 4-H’ers with a professional photographer to get their tips on how to take that 1 amazing shot.
  • Have FUN!!

All entries are due no later than August 17, 2023 at 5 p.m. EST, must be submitted online, and can only be entered by your 4-H Agent/PA.

 4-H Professionals, Click HERE to submit entries.

North Carolina 4-H reserves the rights to use any of the photographs received for educational purposes.

NEW SUBJECT CATEGORY FOR 2023:  SPECIAL EFFECTS

  • Create photographs that have special effects either by snapping a photograph of a convex or concave reflection distorting the image or positioning the subject to look as if a tree branch is growing out of their ear.
  • 4-H’ers can create a Multiple Exposure of a single subject repeating itself several times in one frame.
  • Practice taking a photo where everything is blurred except a focal point by attaching the camera to a moving object.
  • Take a photograph of your friend holding up a building with the palm of their hand or digitally enhance one of your photographs on the computer by adding colors, lights, or distortions to the original picture to create the special effects.
  • Have FUN with this category!

NEW PARTICIPATION CATEGORY FOR 2023:  Adult Division (19+ years as of 1/1)

  • “4-H In Action” Subject Category ONLY
  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and Honorable Mention “bragging rights”
  • Winning photographs will be displayed at the State 4-H Office for the contest year, then sent to the participant’s county 4-H Office.
  • All participants must be registered in 4-HOnline.

All entries are due no later than August 17, 2023 at 5 p.m. EST, must be submitted online, and can only be entered by your 4-H Agent/PA.

4-H Professionals, Click HERE to submit entries.

North Carolina 4-H reserves the rights to use any of the photographs received for educational purposes.

Rules & Registration Information

Judging

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips on How to Take the Best Photograph

  • Clean your camera lens.
  • Lock the focus on your subject.
  • Hold your camera still with both hands or a tripod.
  • Rule of thirds.

Photography Resources 


2022 Winners: 4-H in Action, Junior Division

NC Park Ranger teaching 4-H'ers on a rock formation at Pilot Mountain overlooking a valley1st Place: “Pilot Mountain Fun” by Bailey Poindexter, Yadkin County

4-H'er with a huge grin, holding a rooster2nd Place:  “He’s Nothing But Feathers and Love” by Isaiah Moore, Sampson County

4-H'er proudly displaying his goat at the Yadkin County Livestock Show

3rd Place:  “Winner!” by Lola Willbanks, Yadkin County

4-H'er reading a book about tornadoes to his baby chick4th Place:  “One Smart Chicken” by Ryan Clabeaux, Rockingham County

4-H'er getting ready for the Livestock Show - shearing her sheep5th Place: “Tootie’s Barbershop is Open!” by Jada Smith, Edgecombe County

4-H'ers at Rabbit Show setting up rabbits for judging.Honorable Mention: “4-H Rabbit Show in Action” by Ava Roberts County

2022 Winners: Nature’s Beauty, Junior Division

Looking Up from a swirling rock formation, seeing the blue sky.1st Place: “Navajo Amber” by Logan Grover, Pender County

Oriole perched on iron gate2nd Place: “Orange You Happy to See Me?” by Elijah Herman, Person County

Red star shaped bloom in focus surrounded by unfocused greenery3rd Place: “Focusing on the Star” by Uriah Sigmon, Catawba County

Two horses walking along the shore front4th Place: “Ocean Front Stroll” by Karleigh Meads, Currituck CountyTwo green leaves dripping with rain5th Place:  “Nature’s Footprint” by Callie Beard, Perquimans County

Sea star in the sandHonorable Mention:  “Starfish in the Sand” by Elizabeth Peluso, Craven County

2022 Winners: Special Effects, Junior Division

Color Block horse print with red, purple, blue, and yellow1st Place:  “Hemingway’s Whiskey” by Megan Montgomery, Cabarrus County

Three shiny pennies on top of paper money2nd Place:  “The Little Pennies” by Annabel Williams, Nash County

Black dog laying on white blanket3rd Place:  “My Sleepy Dog” by Magdalene Parker, Sampson County

Cucumber with green and red tomatoes in the shadow of a sievePlace:  “Cucumber Out of this World” by John Tucker, Rowan County

4-H'er standing in background with Lego legs placed in the foreground5th Place: “Lego Man” by Anberlynn Lawrence, Johnston County

White dog with brown spot on eye laying on round hay baleHonorable Mention: “Dog Days of Summer'”  by Alannah Cain, Sampson County

2022 Winners: 4-H in Action, Senior Division

4-H'er canoeing down a river1st Place: ” Serine, Celine” by Luke Arrowood, Forsyth County

4-H State Officers waving goodbye2nd Place: “4-H State Officers” by Elijah Lee, Wayne County

4-H'er at NC 4-H Honor Club Tapping Ceremony3rd Place: “Follow the Gleam” by Hannah Vagnozzi, Gaston County

4-H'er walking her pig4th Place: “A Girl Bond” by Logan Ballance, Wilson County

4-H'ers walking in a circle on a carpet5th Place: “Going on a Bear Hunt” by Jacob Hanlon, Burke County

4-H'er brushing one of three pigs in a gated stallHonorable Mention: “Brushing a Pig” by Mabel Parker, Sampson County

2022 Winners: Nature’s Beauty, Senior Division

Broken shell in beach sand1st Place: “Broken Beauty” by Tessa Darnell, Halifax County

Mushroom backlight with black background2nd Place:  ” Glowing Mushroom” by Jacob Hanlon, Burke County

Sunset on the water with a cypress tree3rd Place:  “Cypress Sunset” by Landon Burgess, Gates  County

Full Moon4th Place:  “Our Moon” by Bryson Helton, Yadkin County

Orange and black butterfly on a goldenrod plant5th Place:  “Butterfly Among the Goldenrod” by Slade Sloan, Dare County

Male Cardinal perched on wrought iron fenceHonorable Mention:  “Male Cardinal” by Dylyn Davis, Alexander County

2022 Winners: Special Effects, Senior Division

A train track going into the blue sky1st Place:  “Rails of Oil”  by Ben Cook, Forsyth County

A Cuckoo Wasp2nd Place:  “Cuckoo Wasp” by Selah Sigmon, Catawba County

A girl in the background with a purple flower placed in the foreground as her skirt3rd Place:  “Skirted in Beauty” by Sydney Tucker, Yadkin County

A blue wall in a flower garden with a mirror reflecting My Best Friend4th Place: “My Best Friend” by Ireland Lowder, Cabarrus County

A collie Dog5th Place:  “My Dog Shayla ” by Elijah Lee, Wayne County

A horse in a pasture in front of a barn with an American flag on the outside wallHonorable Mention: “Land That I Love” by Laurel Evans, Harnett County