Capture the one‑of‑a‑kind character of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. With its miles of interconnected waterways and trails, scenic vistas, rich history, welcoming communities, and endless opportunities for recreation, the Canalway Corridor is truly a place like no other. Contest winners will be featured in the 2027 Erie Canalway calendar.
Entering is as easy a 1-2-3
Images can be taken any time of the year. Submissions are accepted until the last Friday in August. Follow these steps to enter:
1. Read the RULES.
2. Review and complete the ENTRY FORM.
3. Submit up to three images -- horizontal format only-- to photocontest@eriecanalway.org. You may also mail your entry form with a thumb drive. See the Entry Form for details.
- Include people and activity to enliven your image.
- Look for scenes that could be taken only here.
- Consider new vantage points for familiar places.
- Include water in the shot.
- Don't overdo PhotoShop effects!
Contest Categories- New for 2026!
How images are judged:
Entries are judged by a team of professional photographers, designers, and canal experts. They evaluate each image on the basis of creativity, photographic quality, and effectiveness in conveying the beauty and unique character of the Canalway. Judges select first, second, and third place winning images in each contest category, as well as 12 honorable mentions.
A note about "amping" your images: While you may crop or perform color correction on your images, the judging team discourages over-amplifying the color. We are looking for images that reflect the scene as it appeared in reality. You may use HDR camera settings, but again, please avoid over enhancing the image.
Read the Rules
Eligibility and Location
Formatting and Labeling Your Images
Eligibility – The contest is open to any amateur or professional photographer except employees, Board Directors or Commissioners of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and the New York Power Authority and members of their immediate families.
Locale – All photographs must be taken within the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor which includes the
Deadline – All entries must be postmarked no later than August 28, 2026.
Entry Forms – Entries must be accompanied by a completed and signed Entry Form.
Multiple Entries – A maximum of three (3) entries per photographer is allowed. All entries must be listed on a single Entry Form.
Categories – Entrants must place their photos in one of the four categories listed above. The judges reserve the right to recategorize any entry.
Enhancing your Images- While you may crop or perform color correction on your images, the judging team discourages over-amplifying the color. We are looking for images that reflect the scene as it appeared in reality. You may use HDR camera settings, but again, please avoid over enhancing the image.
Format – Digital Entries: Images must be a minimum resolution of 300 DPI (dots per inch) and no smaller than 3072 x 2304 pixels (or 10.24 x 7.68 inches). Images should be in RGB color format and be submitted as JPG (at high quality) or TIFF files. Do not resample small files to fit requirements, as it will compromise the quality of the image. Images must be in landscape (horizontal) orientation to fit the format of our calendar.
Entry Identification – Please label your entries with your last name, first name, and entry number as follows: SMITH_JOHN_ENTRY1, SMITH_JOHN_ENTRY2, SMITH_JOHN_ENTRY3. Including a location in the label is helpful, e.g., SMITH_Fairport_1
Model Release – Photos containing recognizable people must be accompanied by a model release form (attached or available at www.eriecanalway.org) signed by the subject or a parent or legal guardian, if subject is under 18 years of age.
Contact for Questions:
Diane Jennings (518) 237-7000 ext. 207; diane_jennings@eriecanalway.org
Judging
- Entries will be judged on the basis of creativity, photographic quality, and effectiveness in conveying the beauty and/or unique character of the Canalway in one of the contest categories.
- An Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor panel will judge the entries and all contest decisions are final. First, second, and third place winners will be selected in each of the four categories identified above. Honorable mentions will be awarded at the discretion of the judges.
- Winning photographs with appropriate credit will appear in the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Calendar and on the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor website. Winners will also receive a copy of the calendar and other prizes to be determined.
Photographer's Rights
Each photographer will retain all rights to any photograph submitted – including ownership if applicable – other than those rights licensed in the next sentence. By entering the contest, each photographer hereby grants to the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor (i) a nonexclusive, worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free license to reproduce, distribute, publicly display the photographs submitted to the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, and (ii) the right to use the photographer's name, city and state of residence in promotions and other publications.
Photographs, regardless of medium, will not be returned. Do not send your only copy of a photograph. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is not responsible for any material lost, damaged, or misdirected in the mail.
Available December 1 at select libraries or visitor centers or contact us. Supplies limited.
View this years' winners and honorable mentions in our gallery.
Follow us @eriecanalway and hashtag your photos #ErieCanalway!