Competition Rules & Disclaimers
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Competition Rules

 

Eligibility:

Contestants must be at least 14 years of age at the time of submission. Contestants must reside in one or more of the following counties: Alcona, Alpena, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, or Presque Isle.

 

Submission Deadline:

All submissions must be received between 10:00 AM EST on October 1st, 2023, and 10:00 AM EST on November 1st, 2023. Any submissions received after the deadline will not be considered.

 

Submission Guidelines:

 

• Contestants may only submit their own work. Submissions on behalf of another individual will not be accepted.

• Contestants may submit a maximum of one photograph. Multiple entries will not be considered.

• All submissions must be the original work of the contestant. Photos that have been significantly altered or include elements not created by the contestant will not be accepted.

• Only amateur photographers are eligible to participate. Anyone who regularly receives compensation for their photography will not be eligible to enter the contest.

• Accepted photography equipment includes, but is not limited to, DSLR and Mirrorless Digital Cameras, Film Cameras, Phone Cameras, Underwater Cameras, and Video Camera Stills.

• Drone and aerial photography submissions will not be accepted.

• Entries will not be accepted unless submitted via the official online submission portal. Entries not submitted through the portal will not be accepted or considered.

• File Format:

• All submissions must be in JPEG or PNG format with a file size not exceeding [20 MB]. Other formats or files exceeding this size limit will not be accepted.

 

Watermark/Signature:

Submissions must not contain any visible watermarks, signatures, or distinguishing marks. Photos with these features will be disqualified.

 

Content Restrictions:

Photographs containing inappropriate or offensive content, including but not limited to violence, explicit material, or hate speech, will be disqualified. Ineligablity for this reason is determined by The Sunset Project in its sole discretion.

 

Submission Method:

All submissions must be uploaded via [the contest website/email platform]. Entries submitted through other channels will not be accepted.

 

Resolution & Equipment:

The resolution quality of the images and the type of equipment used will not be considered as part of the judging criteria.

 

Consent for Use:

By entering, contestants agree that photos submitted can be used by The Sunset Project on all social media platforms, printed material, and any future marketing material as determined by the organization.

 

Age Verification:

Contestants under the age of 18 may be required to obtaine parental or guardian consent prior to participation.

 

Retraction of Entries:

Contestants may retract their submission before the deadline by contacting the contest administrators. No changes or retractions will be allowed after the submission deadline.

 

Confirmation of Receipt:

Upon submission, contestants will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive confirmation within 24 hours, please contact us to ensure your entry was successfully received.

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Competition Disclaimers

 

Contest Modifications and Cancellations: The Sunset Project reserves the right to cancel the contest or modify these rules at its discretion. In the event of any changes, reasonable efforts will be made to inform all participants in a timely manner. Disputes and Prize Awards: In the event of a dispute regarding potential winners, The Sunset Project reserves the right to award or not award prizes at its sole discretion. Decisions made by The Sunset Project regarding contest results are final and binding. Disqualification: The Sunset Project reserves the right to disqualify any entrant whose entry or conduct appears in any way to inhibit the enjoyment of others, tamper with the competition, violate these rules or other applicable laws or regulations, infringe on the rights of third parties, or act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Use of Photographs: Contestants retain the rights to their photographs; however, by entering the contest, contestants grant The Sunset Project (and those authorized by The Sunset Project) a non-exclusive, perpetual license to publicly display, distribute, reproduce, and create derivative works of the entries in whole or in part, in any media now existing or later developed, for promotional purposes. Any photograph reproduced will include a photographer credit as feasible. Intellectual Property Rights of Third Parties: By entering, contestants confirm that their submissions do not violate the intellectual property rights or privacy rights of any third party. Contestants are solely responsible for any legal disputes arising from the content of their entries. Publicity Release: By entering, contestants grant The Sunset Project permission to use their name, likeness, and submitted photograph for promotional purposes in any media without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law. No Transfer of Prizes: Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or other alternatives unless otherwise stated. Contest Void Where Prohibited: The contest is void where prohibited by law. It is the responsibility of contestants to ensure that their participation does not violate any local laws. No Endorsement by Social Media Platforms: This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with, Instagram, Facebook, or any other social media platform. Tax Responsibility: All federal, state, and local taxes associated with the receipt or use of any prize are solely the responsibility of the winner. Indemnification: By entering, contestants agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless The Sunset Project and its affiliates from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from or related to their participation in the contest or acceptance and use of any prize. Limitation of Liability: The Sunset Project is not responsible for any technical issues, including but not limited to malfunctions of any website, email service, or submission platform, that may affect an individual's ability to participate in the contest. Governing Law: The contest and these disclaimers will be governed by the laws of the state of [State] without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Email Usage Disclaimer: By entering The Sunset Project’s FOCUS45 Photography Contest or participating in the public voting period, you consent to receive email communications from The Sunset Project. These communications may include updates about the contest, winner announcements, future contests, and related events or promotions. You may opt out of these communications at any time.