Focus on the North Carolina Aquariums Photo Competition

If you like to take photos, picture this: Your pastime could win you $500 in the 2008 North Carolina Aquariums’ Underwater Photo Contest.

You don’t even have to get wet. The Aquatic Life in the North Carolina Aquariums category features the diverse aquatic life represented at the three state Aquariums – at Fort Fisher, at Pine Knoll Shores and on Roanoke Island.

Divers can compete in the Underwater Close-ups or the Underwater Open category with photos taken in the waters off the coast of North Carolina or within the state’s freshwater systems.

Amateur and non-professional photographers can enter up to three photographs in each category. The contest deadline is Dec. 31, 2008. Photos may be submitted as prints or in digital format on a CD.

Cash prizes are awarded in each of the three categories – first place $500; second place $200; third place $100; honorable mention $50.

The North Carolina Aquariums may use all entered photographs without further compensation for a variety of purposes including, but not limited to, exhibit graphics, brochures, calendars, publications and website graphics. Photographers will be credited in such uses when possible, and will otherwise retain the rights to their work.