City Manager

City Calendar Photo Contest - Frequently Asked Questions

When should I mail/drop off my photo entries for the 2009 Calendar Photo Contest?
It is suggested that you return to this website in late summer 2008 for news about the 2009 Calendar Photo Contest. The contest generally takes place the later part of August and throughout the month of September. Photos will not be accepted before the announced start of the contest.

Where should I mail/drop off my photo entries?
Once the 2009 calendar photo contest has been announced, photos may be dropped off or mailed to the City Manager's Office, Midland City Hall, 333 W. Ellsworth St., Midland, MI 48640.

How many photos can I enter into the contest?
A maximum of six (6) photos per person may be submitted to the City's photo contest.

What size should my photos be?
Preferably 4" x 6".  This is the best size for clarity and reproduction. Bigger isn't necessarily better. Photos can become grainy and lose their clarity as they are enlarged. 

Can I submit a digital photo?
Yes, digital photos are allowed. However, they must be submitted on photo paper (or an equivalent paper stock) and not as an electronic file. For best reproduction, we suggest printing out the photo(s) on a high-quality, high-resolution printer. 

If a digitally-produced photo is selected to appear in the calendar, in some instances we may ask for a copy of the digital image on CD. This could provide us with a sharper image than the submitted sheet.

Can I submit a photo as a slide?
This is not recommended. Slides are difficult to judge and harder to reproduce if selected. We recommend having a color print (4" x 6") created from your slide and submitting that as your entry.

Can I submit photos that include children?
Photos featuring identifiable youth under the age of 18 will only be considered if the signature of the minor's parent or guardian appears on the City's photo entry form.

Can I submit black and white photos?
No. The calendar is a full-color calendar, so only full-color photos will be selected. 

How are photos selected?
City of Midland employees help identify which photos are most appealing to a general population. The employees review and rank all the photos. To prevent bias, photographers remain anonymous to the employees.  Employee input is then used by a final selection committee that also evaluates the photos on creativity, clarity for reproduction purposes, appropriate representation of the Midland community, and ability to fit into a representative month or season. 

How and when will I know if my photo is chosen?
Photos are generally judged in late October. Participants whose photos have been chosen are generally notified, by mail, no later than November 30.

Will I be notified if my photo has NOT been chosen? 
Unfortunately, because hundreds of photos are submitted each year, we are unable to notify every participant of their status and to return photos after the contest has ended. If you have not received notification that your photo is being included in the calendar by November 30 of each year, you can assume that your submission was not chosen. 

Will my photo entries be returned? 
Because of the large number of photos submitted each year, it is prohibitive for us to return photos to entrants. If you would like to keep a copy of the photo(s) you submitted, it is suggested that you process doubles of the photos and/or retain the negatives.

What happens to my photo(s) after the contest? 
As indicated on the entry form, once photos are submitted, they become the property of the City of Midland. Because many of the photos showcase the beauty and uniqueness of our community, they may be used for marketing purposes by the City, such as in City print publications or on this website.

Why do some photographers have several photos in one calendar or are chosen year after year?
We try our best to choose a wide variety of participants as photo finalists. Some participants, however, submit up to six very good photos that rank high among the employees and the final selection committee. These are the participants who seem to enter year after year - that's why you may see their handiwork in more than one calendar.

Who do I call with more questions?
Contact the City Manager's Office at 989-837-3307.