Capturing the Erie Canalway
The annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest captures the beauty and character of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. Winning images offer a snapshot of what makes this 500-mile ribbon of waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes a national treasure.
Take a Shot at our 2018 Contest!
Entering is a snap: download and fill out an entry form and mail up to three entries to us. Entries are judged 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. Winning images are featured in our annual calendar. Note: because winners will be published in the 2019 calendar, images must be horizontal format.
Submit your images by August 31, 2018
A Note about 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. The decision about whether an image is over enhanced is entirely up to the contest judges.
| 2018 CONTEST CATEGORIES | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| On the Water | Activities on the water; boats of all stripes |
| Along the Trail | Cyclists, walkers, strollers, and activities or scenes along the Erie Canalway Trail. |
| Canal Communities | Historic downtowns, distinctive architecture, farmers markets, events, and scenes taken in canal communities. |
| Classic Canal | When you see it, you know it—photos that could be taken only here; photos of on-water activities, engineering marvels, canal structures, nature, or other scenes that show the distinctive sense of place of the Erie Canalway. |
Winning Tips
- Look for scenes that say "Erie Canalway" and views that could be taken only here.
- Consider new vantage points for familiar scenes.
- Include activity when possible. People on the trail, boats in the water, strollers in town help to enliven the scene.