The Brandywine Creek Greenway's second annual "Experience the Brandywine" Photo Contest will kick off on October 1, 2021. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!
For inspiration, browse the 2020 winning photographs below or view all of last year's entries here.
2020 Winning Photos
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!
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!
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!
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 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 [email protected] or via Dropbox. If submitting images via dropbox, please be sure to email your contact information to [email protected].
- 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