In conjunction with the NEA sponsored Big Read Program, the Oak Park Public Library is sponsoring a Poe photo contest. Entrants are asked to creatively interpret selected Poe quotations through photographs.

BY ENTERING THIS PHOTO CONTEST YOU AGREE TO ALL OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THIS CONTEST AS DETAILED BELOW.

Eligibility
This contest is open to Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park residents, as well as students at Dominican and Concordia Universities. Oak Park Public Library staff cannot enter this contest.

Entry Period
This contest will begin on October 1 and run through October 31. No entries will be accepted after 5pm on Saturday, October 31. All entries will be posted on the Oak Park Public Library's website and Flickr page before final judging.

Entry Instructions
Send a copy of the Electronic Submission Form via email to with a single JPEG format image attached. Only one photo per photographer will be accepted and the file must not exceed 5 MB in size.

Judging
After the close of the entry period, eligible photographs will be judged based on (3) criteria and assigned a score of up to a maximum of 30 points. The three criteria, which will be weighted equally, are: visual appeal and composition (maximum 10 points); originality and creativity (maximum 10 points); and interpretation of chosen Poe quote (maximum 10 points).

Please choose one of the following three quotations:

"There was much of the beautiful, much of the wanton, much of the bizarre, something of the terrible, and not a little of that which might have excited disgust."
-The Masque of the Red Death (short story)

"He told of a wild cry disturbing the silence of the night-of the gathering together of the household-of a search in the direction of the sound; and then his tones grew thrillingly distinct as he whispered me of a violated grave-of a disfigured body enshrouded, yet still breathing-still palpitating-still alive!"
-Berenice (short story)

"Is all that we see or seem but a dream within a dream?"
-A Dream within a Dream (poem)

Three finalists will be chosen from all eligible submissions. The decisions of the judges are final.

Prize Winner Selection & Notification
On or about November 9 2009, the Oak Park Public Library shall notify each prize winner of their selection. Notification shall be by email and/or telephone. First place winner will receive $75, second place will receive $50, and third place will receive $25.

Applicant and Photograph Rules and Criteria

By entering this contest the photographer agrees to the following:

- I warrant that the photograph submitted is my own creation and does not infringe upon the rights of any third party.

- I grant the Oak Park Public Library the non-exclusive right to publish, use, distribute, reproduce, and publicly display my photograph.

- I understand that the Oak Park Public Library reserves the right to withdraw or terminate this contest at any time without prior notice.

Download the Electronic Submission Form
PDF format | Word format