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.
Congratulations to our 2017 Winners!
Twelve images have been selected from nearly 300 entries as winners of the 12th Annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest. In addition, twelve photographs received an honorable mention. These stunning images will be featured in the 2018 Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Calendar, which will be available for free in December.
VIEW WINNERS LIST/PRESS RELEASE >
About the Contest
Each year, judges select first, second, and third place winning images in four contest categories, as well as 12 honorable mentions. Winning images are featured in our annual calendar.
2018 Contest opens May 2018
| 2018 CONTEST CATEGORIES | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | First, second, and third place among all photographs submitted. |
| 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. |
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.
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.