I’m in! Les Alliances françaises’ International Photography Contest

Breaking News:  I have entered an International Photography Contest. I must choose ONE photo to submit. I need your help. Let me explain.

The 133rd Carnival of Nice, one of the largest carnivals in the world and the highlight of the French Riviera in winter, takes place this year from the 11^th of February until the 25^{th –} ROI DE L’ENERGIE (King of Energy).  There will be seventeen tanks, some with a height of twenty meters that tell the story of the King of Energy. It is a great moment of celebration. Activities take place on three Saturdays (11^th, 18^th, and 25^th), two Tuesdays (14^th, 21^st), two Wednesdays (15^th, 22^nd), and one Sunday (19^th). Why those days? I don’t know. At 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Wednesdays, and Sunday, there is a Battle of Flowers. Don’t ask. On the first two Saturdays and Tuesdays, they light up Corso Carnavalesque at 9:00 p.m. and on the third Saturday night at 9:00 p.m., they incinerate the King. Eww. Steve and I did not go last year, and I will not go this year. Too many people. But, you cannot escape the excitement in the air. Nice is electric with energy. So, when I was asked by my school – Les Alliances françaises de Nice – if I wanted to enter its international photo contest, “Three Cities, Three Carnivals” with Les Alliances françaises de Venice and Rio, I said yes.

The contest takes place between February 11 and March 10, 2017. Participants from each of Les Alliances françaises may send one photo (TIFF or JPEG, 300 dpi) made during the Carnival to the Alliances françaises of their city, which will then select ten winning photos to present to an International Jury. The International Jury will select the three winning photos. Winners will be announced on May 19, 2017. Judges are looking for 1) relevance to the contest subject; 2) the choice and the originality of the subject and the point of view adopted; 3) the quality of photos – framing, originality, treatment of light, aesthetic considerations; and 4) compliance with the technical specifications mentioned above. First prize is 1500 euros; second is 700 euros; and third is 300 euros. That works.

I have started taking pictures. My submission must make commentary without my attending crowd gatherings. Today, I am posting my first round of pictures that I took in town on Tuesday. I have numbered each photo. Select your favorite in each posting and post the photo number in the commentary. These are not terrific, but it is a start. I will continue taking pictures and posting photos until the deadline in March. Thanks.

BEST, JAY