Contest Rules

• This year's theme is Xtreme Bassets - think Xtreme ears, Xtreme drool, Xtreme sleeper, whatever! Get creative with your photos, and we'll figure out the captions!
• Entry fee is $5 per photo, non-refundable.
• Submit as many photos as you like.
• There will be thirteen different winners for the cover and twelve months. Each dog may win only once.
• No people in the photos.
• All BROOD bassets or basset-mixes are eligible.
• All other entries must be all basset.
• Photos must be printed on glossy photo-quality paper, no matte or textured prints.
• In addition to the regular photos, you may also submit digital photos by emailing them to Digital photos should be taken at the highest resolution allowed by your camera and should be no larger than 3MB in size. if you have questions about digital photos or digital photo quality.
• Final size of the photo will be approximately 8x10. Photos must be clear, focused and well-contrasted (see our Tips and Guidelines).
• Format is horizonal (landscape), not vertical (portrait), please.

FOR EVERY PHOTO ENTRY SUBMISSION :

• Print of photo required.
• Completed entry form required - pdf file (print and fill out) or word doc (complete online and print).

NEW -- DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 22. PHOTO, ENTRY FORM AND PAYMENT MUST ALL BE RECEIVED BY THIS DATE!!!

Payment

Pay online with PAYPAL (immediately below) OR by personal check as directed below.

CHECK. Make check payable to "BROOD" and reference that it is for the calendar contest on the check. Mail check with your entry to BROOD Calendar Contest, c/o Barb Baumann, PO Box 447, Damascus, MD 20872.

Photo Guidelines (See our Tips and Guidelines for more help.)

INCLUDE SEASONAL REFERENCES if possible. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a winner to match each month? Don’t be afraid to add a seasonal touch but PLEASE broaden your thinking beyond bassets in Santa hats!

SHARP PHOTOS ARE BETTER. Camera movement is the #1 cause of blurry photos. Hold the camera steady by using both hands, resting your elbows on your chest, or by using a wall for support. Relax. Don’t tense up.

USE BRIGHT, NATURAL LIGHT. Unless you are using studio lighting BRIGHT, NATURAL LIGHT is best. A photograph is all about light so always think of how the light is striking your subject. Move around so that the sun is behind you and to one side. This front lighting brings out color and shades, and the slight angle (side lighting) produces some shadow to indicate texture and form.

ELIMINATE CLUTTER. The best shots are simple so move closer and remove any clutter from the picture. For best image quality, crop in the viewfinder.

Voting for Photos

Voting begins in May after the entry deadline. There are two options for voting:

• Vote online on the BROOD website
• Vote at the BROOD RAMBLE on May 31, 2008

Votes cost $1 each. Pay for online voting by check or PayPal. If you use PayPal, we require a $10 minimum, so you will have 10 votes to apply to a single photo or to multiple photos. The photos with the most votes will win a featured page in the calendar, either the cover or one of the twelve months. Yes, do vote for your own photo. In fact, we encourage you to "stuff the ballot box" for your favorite photo.

Buying Calendars

BROOD’s 2009 full-color wall calendars will be available for sale in the Fall. Calendar prices: Regular - $19.95 / Pre-orders - $17.95. Pre-ordering information is on the submission form.

Questions?