Call for Entries for the 2011 NS Wall Calendar Contest

With all the snow across the country in January and February, employees had a great opportunity to get some dramatic winter train photos, but we’ll still need spring, summer and fall to produce another great Norfolk Southern wall calendar. You can win $500 and 50 calendars for your winning entry, so look back through those photos or get out now and snap a few. Below are details and an entry form for the 2011 contest.

How to enter: Use the entry form

You may enter up to five images. Print out the entry form For each, provide details, such as location and time of year, origin, destination and cargo, if known. Is there anything special about this train? Is it a new service? Is the area unique? Why did you choose this spot? Don’t forget to include your name, work location, home address and, most importantly, telephone numbers where we can reach you.

Digital

• Use a four-megapixel or higher camera.
• Submit a TIF, RAW, or JPG image. TIF images are great for the wall calendar. While they take up more room on a camera storage card, they contain the image data we require. Your TIF images will reflect the camera settings you selected, such as white point setting, contrast, saturation, and sharpening level or “automatic.” RAW images are even better for the wall calendar. These files are full resolution with no settings applied. In fact, your initial images may appear weak. Later, once the image has been transferred to your computer using Photoshop or your camera-specific software, you can apply any settings you wish. The variety of settings and possibilities is broader, and the photographer isn’t locked into simple pre-set camera settings. This means the photographer is able to extract the maximum possible image quality.
• JPG is the least preferred file format because the image is compressed. Important data has been discarded to make the file smaller, which can affect image quality once it is enlarged to calendar size.
• Always use a CD. Whether submitting a TIF, RAW, or JPG image, send it to us on a CD, along with a README file giving the specifics of the photograph, such as where it was shot, when, by whom, and a description.
• Resist enhancing your image. We will clean up your image by removing trash and graffiti, applying correct color and contrast settings, and sharpening. Avoid the common and irreversible mistake of over-sharpening your image.  
• Emailed and ZIP images are not eligible.

Slides

• Submit horizontal images only.
• Duplicate slides and prints copied to slides aren’t eligible because of poor quality.  

Large-format transparencies and 35 mm negatives 

• If your negative is in a strip, send the entire strip.
• If your negative is 35mm, for judging purposes you must include a four-by-six-inch color print.
• For large-format submissions, no color print is required.

What are the judges looking for?

Calendars are distributed to employees, customers and opinion leaders, and sold to the public. Photos depicting NS trains with various commodities in communities across the system are the mainstay of the calendar. However, if you have ideas for alternate images illustrating the strengths of Thoroughbred transportation, these will be considered. Judges from various departments will evaluate entries for seasonal variety, content, creativity, and visual appeal, image quality and commodity representation.

Winning photographers agree to the use of their photos in the calendar, related NS materials, and external publications. The photographer retains the copyright. NS will return all original slides, negatives, and prints, but will not be responsible for loss or damage.

Deadline for entry: Aug. 2, 2010

For contest questions, contact Rhonda Broom, manager advertising and promotions, at (757) 629-2706 or e-mail rhonda.broom@nscorp.com.

Send entries to:

2011 Calendar Contest
Norfolk Southern Corp.
Three Commercial Place
Norfolk, VA 23510-9217

As always, practice Thoroughbred safety when taking photographs.

Previous Year's Calendars: