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Experience the Brandywine Photo Contest

Experience the Brandywine Photo Contest

photo contest graphic
Thank you to all the participants in the "Experience the Brandywine" Photo Contest. In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Brandywine Creek Greenway—a 40-mile long conservation and recreation corridor that starts in Honey Brook, PA and ends in Wilmington, DE—we asked to see your photos that best capture the beauty of the Greenway and the many reasons why this region is such a special place to call home. 

The winning photographs were chosen to receive one of four prize packs featuring goodies from Patagonia, TREK and The Whip Tavern (totaling up to $600 value).

You can see the winning photos below and view all the entries here. 

Winning Photos

Photo by Scott Chambers
Photo by Scott Chambers
There may not be a more emblematic tree of the Brandywine Valley than our native American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), which graces the center of this ethereal early spring image. Its pale mottled bark contrasts with darker tones of its neighbors and the Brandywine, while its arching form seems to bow in homage to the flowing creek that sustains its rich floodplain soil. The judging panel felt the atmosphere of this spectacular photograph expresses an enigmatic beauty reminiscent of works by Andrew Wyeth, one of the Brandywine Valley’s most revered artists. Congratulations, Scott! 

Photo by Walt Kinsey
Photo by Walt Kinsey
Surrounded by the beautiful pastel reflections, this kayaker appears to be floating on the sky. The contrast between dark silhouettes and colorful clouds makes this image so striking. It really demonstrates the many ways to enjoy a beautiful sunset or sunrise. Congratulations, Walt! 

Photo by Joanne Moretti
Photo by Joanne Moretti
This vibrant and idyllic photograph of Brandywine Park in Wilmington, Delaware captures the essence of the Brandywine Creek Greenway in autumn. The photograph highlights all three core themes of the Greenway - nature, history, and recreation - that combine to create a dynamic and unique sense of place. Congratulations, Joanne!

Photo by Robert Schock
Photo by Robert Schock
Robert Schock's photograph of the First State National Historical Park captures the vast beauty of the Brandywine Valley with its rolling hills, woodlands, historical structures, and agricultural heritage. Schock's photograph showcases recreational opportunities on recently protected lands that span Pennsylvania and Delaware in the southern region of the Greenway. The artistic contrast between the dramatic clouds, vibrant fall foliage, and green and brown working lands exhibit the photographer's technical abilities. Congratulations, Robert!

Honorable Mentions

Photo by Rick Maynard
Photo by Rick Maynard
Photo by Barry Rauhauser
Photo by Barry Rauhauser
Photo by Laura Ducceschi
Photo by Laura Ducceschi
Photo by Eric Loken
Photo by Eric Loken
Photo by Libby Madarasz
Photo by Libby Madarasz
Photo by Melinda Davis
Photo by Melinda Davis

Photo Contest Rules and Regulations

  • Include your name and contact information with your submission, plus the approximate date and location where the photo was taken.
  • Submitted photos should be named in the following format: LastName-FirstName_Month-Year_Location.
    Example: Smith-Jane_9-2020_BrandywineCreek
  • High-resolution images are recommended (at least 1MB in size)
  • All photos must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2020. Submissions will not be accepted once the deadline lapses.
  • Suggested photo subjects include biking, hiking, paddling and exploring the history and nature along the Brandywine Creek Greenway. Click here to see a map of the Greenway.
  • A maximum of five entries is permitted per person.
  • Entries must be submitted via email at greenway@brandywine.org or via Dropbox. If submitting images via dropbox, please be sure to email your contact information to greenway@brandywine.org.
  • Entries will be judged by representatives at the Brandywine Conservancy.
  • By entering the contest, entrants agree that photos submitted can be used by the Brandywine Conservancy for marketing purposes. Photo credit will be given at all times.
  • The prize must be collected by the winner and is non-transferable.
  • The winner will be contacted via the information provided during entry. If no response is received after three business days, a new winner will be selected, and the previous winner will forfeit all rights to the prize.

Judging Process

All pictures submitted to the contest will be reviewed by each of five designated judges at the Brandywine Conservancy. Each Judge will select their three favorite photos based upon the Judging Criteria described below, and top scored photos will become eligible for consideration as finalists. The judges will select three winners from the finalists based on the Judging Criteria.

Judging Criteria

All photos will be judged based on the contest theme Experience the Brandywine and will include Relevancy, Originality, Impact and Photo Quality. Each criterion has a maximum score of 25 points. The maximum score for any photo is 100 points. The three photos receiving the highest scores will win.

  • Relevancy (25 points): Rank the photo’s relevancy to the contest theme
  • Originality (25 points): Rank the photo’s originality and creativity   
  • Impact (25 points): Rank the photo’s emotional impact  
  • Photo Quality (25 points): Rank the photo’s quality for clarity, focus, and technical details