CDS International: My America

The 2008 My America photo contest is your chance to creatively express your thoughts, feelings, and impressions of the United States you experienced. We’re looking for photo essays that show new perspectives on American life so get out and start taking some pictures.

Winning entries will be eligible for travel-tastic prizes including a $600 travel voucher from STA Travel, an iPod Nano, or luggage from Rick Steves' Travel Store!

Who may participate:
All CDS participants who actively participated on a J-1 Visitor Exchange Program program between January 1, 2008 and January 31, 2009 may enter a submission. Entrants must have spent at least three months in the United States to be eligible for this contest. At least one month of the stay had to occur during the contest dates.

Step One: Take Pictures!
Inspire us with the day-to-day images of your life abroad. Special consideration will be given to photo essays that focus on a theme such as office life, (sub-)urban landscapes, and the people you’ve met along the way. We’re looking for lively, vivid, and colorful pictures that portray American life as you experienced it.

You may make minor alterations to photos, including cropping, contrast and slight color adjustments, spotting, dodging and burning are fine, but please avoid major digital enhancements or modifications. Be artistic, inventive, and imaginative – this is your competition to win!

Step Two: Create a Photo Essay
Your photo essay will be made up of 7 to 10 digital photos taken in the highest resolution available on your camera. We only accept digital images, so scan any print images into a digital format at 300 dpi before submitting them. All files need to be saved in a .jpeg file format. Please do not submit photo albums, slideshows, powerpoint presentations, websites, scrapbooks, or any other media forms.

Title both your photo project and each individual photo. We also want to hear about you and your experiences so be sure to include a brief, 100-word essay in English explaining the photos that made your America.

Step Three: Submit your Photos
Download an entry form and fill out the information. Submit this form along with your photo essay using one of the following mediums:

Over an FTP server – send login information to Chad Robertson
Via the website www.yousendit.com. Reference Chad Robertson
Mail your entry burned on a compact disc to:

Please do not send submissions as email attachments.

All submissions must be received by CDS International no later than January 31, 2009.

Step Four: Win!
A group of finalists will be chosen and evaluated by an Evaluation Committee made up of professionals in the international committee. They will choose the top two prize winners. A People’s Choice Award will also be given to the entrant who garners the most votes during a month-long online poll.

1st Prize:

2nd Prize:

People’s Choice:

Finalists:

Contact Chad Robertson with any questions or concerns: crobertson@cdsintl.org/(212)497-3571.

Please read the complete rules and regulations before submitting an entry.

Good Luck!