Bliss Photo Submission & Evaluation Guidelines
Explore submission guidelines and details for the annual Bliss Photo Contest, supported by the Dean Rusk International Studies Program.
Photo Submission Guidelines
- The photo must be taken by the person that is submitting the photo to the contest.
- Photos may be edited to a reasonable degree (color, contrast, lighting, etc.) but drastic alterations (addition of individuals, removal of significant portions of the photo, etc.) are prohibited.
- Color, black and white, sepia, etc. photos are acceptable.
- All images must be 10 MB or lower.
- Photos should be high quality, meaning that the photo can be blown up to a larger size without pixelation of the image content. For the highest quality image, all images must have a resolution of at least 240 dpi; 300 dpi or higher is preferable. Photo submissions with a resolution under 240 dpi will not be considered. For guidance, better quality images are 1920x2400 px and highest quality images are 2400x3000 px.
- Photos are required to have been taken during the Davidson abroad experience specified within the time frame eligible.
- If you are submitting a photo with individual(s) who are recognizable, ensure that you have their expressed consent before submitting it in the photo contest. All students must agree they have complied with the photography code of ethics.
Submission Categories
Students may submit one photo per category.
Explore the four categories and examples of previous entries to those categories:
The Natural World
Images capturing landscapes, outdoor scenes, nature, sunsets, urban and coastal views, cityscapes, wildlife, etc.
The Human Dimension
Portrayals of individuals in all walks of life.
If you are submitting a photo with individual(s) who are recognizable, ensure that you have their expressed consent before submitting it in the photo contest.
Movement and Transportation
Images focused on modes of transportation (car, trains, airplanes, etc.) and people in motion.
Food and Fun
Images capturing cultural cuisine, lively events, and engaging activities.
Photo Evaluation Process
All photos will be evaluated anonymously by our panel of judges based on our established judging criteria. In addition to being evaluated by 3 three professional judges, photo submissions are also subjected to a period of voting by members of the Davidson College community, which yields the winners of the “community vote.”