"Thinking Outside The Box" Photography Challenge
Now that the COVID-19 pandemic is global and most of us are practicing social distancing to help flatten the curve, that leaves many of us with a lot of downtime or finding unique ways to accomplish a goal. With school or activities being hybrid, virtual, or in-person, we wanted to come up with a new photography challenge for this season.
Take some time to focus your mind and attention on some photo projects that can help you become a better photographer and to think outside the box. Part of becoming an improved photographer is understanding how to challenge yourself to put the skills you already have to the test and acquire new skills that will allow you to expand your boundaries as a photographer and a member of the VEX community.
With this challenge, you will not travel to far-off locations to find material worthy of a photo. We want you to submit a photo of something or someone in your everyday life that reminds you of your experience with VEX Robotics and why. Compose a photo that conveys an emotion, specifically the feeling you experience when you are reminded of the season’s before and what you love most.
Elementary School | Middle School | High School | College / University | No Grade Level Restrictions |
VEX V5 Robotics Competition | VEX U Robotics Competition | VEX IQ Robotics Competition |
Prizes
TEN (10) Prizes Awarded:
- Five prizes will be awarded in VEX IQ Challenge- Each of the top five entrants chosen by the judges will receive a $50 VEXRobotics.com gift certificate.
- Five prizes will be awarded in VRC/VEX U - Each of the top five entrants chosen by the judges will receive a $50 VEXRobotics.com gift certificate.
Eligibility
- Entrant grade range: Elementary, middle school, high school, and university students.
- VEX Robotics Competition team requirement: Must be part of a registered VEX team for the current season.
- Previous Online Challenge entries are not eligible for submission.
- This is an individual competition, not team or school; and only one photo may be submitted per person. One team may have multiple team members submitting; however, only one submission is permitted per individual team member.
Requirements
These are the minimum requirements for this challenge. Failure to fulfill any of these requirements will result in your entry being disqualified from advancing to Finalist.
This year, you will submit a photo AND a one-page document to describe to your audience why this photo reminds you of your experience with VEX. Use the combination of words and photography to tell a complete story focusing on your favorite aspect of VIQC, VRC or VEX U.
- A digital photograph in JPEG (.jpg) format, up to 20MB in size. The photograph needs to be at least 1000 pixels wide in the case of a horizontally-oriented image, or 1000 pixels high for a vertical image. Submissions that are too large or not in JPEG format will not be considered.
- You also need to label your photo submission with a title for the file name. Your title should support why you chose this photo.
- Only one photo may be submitted per person, so pick your best!
- This is an individual competition, not team or school.
- Upload your photograph directly to this online challenge site during the submission process (20MB maximum file size)
- You must include a short story in English of up to 100 words describing what we see in the photo and explaining your intent to the judges. Your one-page story must be in PDF format (maximum file size: 20MB). Entry not in PDF format will be disqualified. You must upload your entry to the Online Challenges site during the submission process. Links to Google Drive, Dropbox, Sharepoint or any other site are not permitted and will result in disqualification.
The “Judging Information” section below will provide additional guidance on how your project will be evaluated.
READ CAREFULLY: UPLOAD INSTRUCTIONS
- Instructions to upload your photograph:
- Click the green Enter Challenge button on the right side of the screen.
- Fill out the submission form and type your text in the Full Description box according to the Requirements for this challenge.
- Click Save.
- Click the blue Files/Images button in the upper right of the screen.
- Drag/Drop your JPEG (.jpg) file into the Upload a File box.
- Be sure to edit the Display Name and file information according to the Requirements for this challenge.
- Save your edits and click Update on the entry screen.
- Your submission will now show when you click the blue All Entries button to view the challenge entries.
- Instructions to upload your PDF:
- Click the green Enter Challenge button on the right side of the screen.
- Fill out the submission form, and type your text in the Full Description box according to the Requirements for this challenge.
- Click Save.
- Click the blue Files/Images button in the upper right of the screen.
- Drag/Drop your PDF file into the Upload a File box.
- Be sure to edit the Display Name and file information according to the Requirements for this challenge.
- Save your edits and click Update on the entry screen.
- Your submission will now show when you click the blue All Entries button to view the challenge entries.
Judging Information
The winning submissions will be chosen by the staff of VEX Robotics, the REC Foundation along with additional design professionals, using the judging criteria. The top five photographs for VIQC and the top five for VRC/VEX U will be recognized online and will receive the prizes listed above.
Technical Rules for the Contest
- Submit photographs that are un-manipulated and real. We want to see what you see, not the result of Photoshop manipulation.
- Do not digitally enhance or alter your photographs beyond the basics of realistic color balance and sharpness. Do not digitally add or remove anything.
- Make your color saturation realistic. Please avoid significant over- or under-saturation.
- Do not use the alteration "filters" available in digital photo editing software.
- Black and white images are acceptable.
- Cropping is acceptable.
Evaluation
- Does the photograph tell a compelling story and is it clearly focused on the topic?
- Does the picture convey an emotion or feeling that can be experienced with robotics?
- Is the photo technically well done? Does it make effective use of lighting and composition?
- If a statement was also submitted, does the description (100 words maximum) support the image and mood depicted in the photo? Does it describe the reason this photo was selected for this challenge, and does it add to the story the photo itself is telling? Is the description clear and well written, with proper grammar and sentence structure?
- Does the title of the photo support the description and idea or concept presented?
Deadline Information
Current time:
Sun, Nov 10, 2024 6:08 AM CST
Opens:
Tue, Sep 1, 2020 9:00 AM CDT
Closes:
Thu, Dec 10, 2020 12:00 PM CST
Voting Ends:
Tue, Dec 15, 2020 12:00 PM CST