Category Archives: Photo Contest

Photography Tips from a Teen

Photography Tips from a Teen

Marshall Canupp is a photographer and new high school graduate “who truly just likes photography, trains, and nature.” 

Marshall is from Harrison County, KY and has received recognition for his photography. A photo he took in honor of those who died of COVID-19  — a Cynthiana city sign spotlit in green (below) — was featured in one of Gov. Beshear’s press conferences. A photo he shot of a heritage steam locomotive was named the 2019 Kentucky 4-H Grand Champion in photography (above).

Marshall’s photo tips for students:

  • Do as much work as needed to get the photo the way you want it when you’re shooting it instead of trying to fix it later in editing software. It saves time!
  • In a portrait, eyes are a natural focal point for a human or an animal, so use that to your advantage.
  • The best camera you have is the one that’s on you. Always have your camera with you so that you don’t miss any good shots.
  • A really easy way to experiment with your photo is to look at it in black and white. It’s also super easy to switch something to black and white, and if you don’t like it just switch it back to color!
  • Never delete photos in-camera! What you see on the small screen isn’t really what the photo may look like; you will only see how good the photo is until you look at it on a decent screen, such as a phone or computer.
  • Get inspiration, not style: I like to look at other photographers’ work and see their techniques and editing styles, but I never want to copy them. They have their style, I have mine. The same goes for you. Find your own style.

Download PDF version here.

Summer Photography Prompts

Summer Photography Prompts

Try some of the adventures listed below–with family and friends–that kids can photograph and share for our online showcase! Tip: If you and your child are going to a family reunion or other gathering, get others involved–it’s more fun and makes for lots of great photo opportunities!

For examples visit our summer photo inspiration page.

  • Think of something famous or well-known locally in your city or town that you haven’t seen yet–make a list together with family or friends. Choose a spot or two and explore like a tourist! Your student is the designated photographer!
  • Can you spot fireflies where you live or travel? Do a photo challenge with family or friends and see who can get the most interesting photo with these wonderful creatures! Have your student take photos during the fun! (For tips on how to interact with fireflies, young students might enjoy this video from PBS Kids’ Wild Kratts.) 
  • Going to the beach? Search for shells, sea glass, crabs. To the desert or a hiking trail? Look for sand, pebbles, freshwater shells. Be sure your student gets photos of the hunt and the treasures!
  • Is your child or teen going to a summer camp? Have your adventurer try a new activity and photograph the experience, and friends doing it too!
  • Do a photo scavenger hunt where you live or vacation–try to find these things (remind your student to get photos of your search and what you see).
    • Someone wearing a cowboy hat
    • Someone eating an ice cream cone
    • Someone skateboarding
    • A cat or dog looking out of a window
    • Outside water (a puddle, creek, pool, etc.)
  • Make some art! Use wrapped canvas, construction paper, poster board–anything on hand. Ideas for materials:
    • Go explore the area around your house–your yard or a park, for example–or your vacation spot. Find some natural things (rocks, sticks, leaves, etc.). 
    • Gather some things you have on hand–bottle caps, buttons, straws, etc. Have each person contribute one thing they find.

Download PDF version here.

Photography Tips for Parents

Photography Tips for Parents

For examples visit our summer photo inspiration page.

  • Any digital camera your child has will work great: an iPad or a cell phone.
  • Remind your child to take lots of pictures of the fun adventures you have as a family or with friends this summer. (Click here for ideas and examples.)
  • Encourage your child to experiment! Take several photos of the same subject in different ways: centered to the right then to the left.
  • Show your little photographer how to hold the camera straight up and down (vertical) for some photos then turn it on its side (horizontal) for others. Which does your child like best?
  • Different viewpoints make for interesting photos. Have your child try making a photo looking up (from the ground) or looking down at the subject.
  • Remind your child: To have the subject be in focus, not blurry, hold the camera steady when pushing the button. For a blurry effect, ask your subject to move or move the camera as you take your picture.
  • The hardest part will be choosing one photo to submit to our online showcase!
  • No selfies, please. We want to see your adventures, so be creative and have fun!

Download PDF version here.

Summer Photo Adventures Guidelines and Rights

Summer Photo Adventures Guidelines

Eligibility Guidelines

  • Only kids and teens entering pre-K through 12th grade in the fall of 2021 and who live in Kentucky are eligible.
  • Only one submission per student.
  • Children of KET employees are not eligible for giveaways or prizes.

Entry Procedure 

  • All submissions must be received digitally by midnight EST, August 31, 2021.
  • Submissions must be uploaded via the online entry form at KET.org/PhotoAdventures.
  • Photo file should be saved as a JPEG or PNG file. Please title the file with the student’s name and a one-word description, e.g.  Jane Smith horses.jpg

Photos

  • Students may conference with family members and peers about their work.
  • Photography must be original and student-generated. Choices about the subject and composition of the photo should be made by the student, though younger students may have assistance in working the camera/mobile device.
  • No copyrighted names or images are allowed in the photo.
  • All work must be original to and taken by the student during this summer (June-August of 2021).
  • Please be sure your child or teen makes photographs safely with no danger to the photographer or anyone else.
  • No selfies, please. We want to see your adventures, so be creative and have fun!

Contest Theme

  • The theme is Summer of Adventure–summer is the perfect time for kids and teens and their families and friends to have experiences together outside, which means lots of photo opportunities! 
  • Student photographers should take lots of photographs then choose one photo to submit to us to be included in our fall showcase.
  • For examples visit our summer photo inspiration page.

Parent Tips

  • Younger photographers may need help uploading photos via the Entry Form.
  • Encourage your photographer’s creativity and enjoy the fun summer adventures!

Rights associated with Summer Photo Adventures

Submission of the Entry Form constitutes permission for KET to use the participant’s name, likeness, biographical information, information and materials contained in the entry form, photographs, and any statements or remarks made about the contest in advertising and promotion without further compensation or permission, except where prohibited by law. By entering, entrants agree to abide by the above stated rules, and warrant that their entry is their original work and does not infringe upon or violate rights of any third party, and grant to KET the right to edit, publish, promote, and otherwise use their entry materials without permission, notice or compensation. No royalties will be paid at this or any time. By submitting an entry and Entry Form, each participant (and parent or guardian) assigns all right, title, and interest in and to the entry and Entry Form to KET and warrants that the participant (and parent or guardian) has the authority to assign such right, title, and interest. In the event that any applicable law requires certain formalities to be fulfilled to effectuate such grant to rights, each participant (and parent or guardian) agrees to cooperate with KET to achieve fulfillment of such formalities. By submitting an Entry Form, each participant (and parent or guardian) agrees to be bound by these Summer Photo Adventures Rules. Each participant (and parent or guardian) agrees to release and hold KET and its employees, officers, directors, shareholders, agents, representatives, subsidiaries, parent companies, or other affiliated companies harmless from any and all damages, losses, claims and liabilities arising out of participation in Summer Photo Adventures or resulting from acceptance or claiming of any prize here under. To be eligible, an entrant must be a legal resident of Kentucky. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify ineligible entries; such entries will not be returned. KET reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate, suspend or otherwise cancel Summer Photo Adventures at any time. Income and all other taxes are the responsibility of the prize recipient. KET is not responsible for any expenses incurred in connection with participation in Summer Photo Adventures.

Summer Photo Adventures

KET Education Wants Photos of Your Family’s Summer Adventures!

Summer is here–time to go have fun outside with family and friends! KET Education wants to celebrate the diversity of Kentucky’s people and places and the talent of our kids! Have your child or teen photograph their adventures–wherever you live or travel–and share them for our upcoming online photo showcase! 

The theme is Summer Adventures. As a family, see a new place or explore a familiar place with new eyes! What creatures live in that puddle by the sidewalk or the sand on the beach? Can you make a piece of art using items you find outside or teach your dog to jump through a hula hoop? Going camping or to a cookout?

Be sure to do things together and with friends–adventures are more fun with others, and your child will have lots of photo opportunities, too! No selfies, please. We want to see your adventures, so be creative and have fun!

You’ll help your child choose one photo to submit to us. Online submissions will be accepted June-August. We’ll post the photos for an online photography showcase! These free resources will help guide and inspire your photographer. 

We can’t wait to see and share students’ photos of their summer fun!

Portraits and Dreams Photo Contest

“Having a camera gives anyone power, but particularly children.” – photographer Wendy Ewald

The contest inspiration
In 1975, Wendy Ewald moved to Letcher County where she taught photography in three elementary schools. She asked her students to photograph the things closest to them, including their dreams or fantasies. She said, “It opened up a whole new way of making pictures for them.” Her students staged themselves, family, friends, and toys to re-enact things they thought or had dreams about and photographed them.

KET asked Kentucky’s students to do the same
This summer, KET invited Kentucky students in kindergarten through 12th grade to enter their best photograph with the theme “Portraits and Dreams” to KET’s Photography Contest. Students were encouraged to be creative with the theme and photograph:

  • Portraits: People, animals, places, or objects that are special to the photographer
  • Dreams: Staged scenes from dreams, daydreams, or hopes using friends, family, toys, and/or themselves

Congratulations to our contest winners!
We love seeing the world through their eyes. Check out their photographs below.

  • PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS
    • Grades K-2
      • 1st Place: “I Love my Brother” Posy Holt, Lexington
      • 2nd Place: “Summer Song” Naminae Swan, Kevil
      • 3rd Place: “lil’ flip-a-roo” Sage Allen, Campbellsville
    • Grades 3-5
      • 1st Place: “Love has no boundaries” Maci Curtsinger, Lawrenceburg
      • 2nd Place: “Frozen Dreams” Lucy Moran, Louisville
      • 3rd Place: “Self Portrait at Barre” Emily Wilson, Midway
    • Grades 6-8
      • 1st Place: “Silas” Sylvia Coogle, Winchester
      • 2nd Place: “The Perfect Shot” Addison Gardner, Prospect
      • 3rd Place: “Be yourself” Elisa Williams, Cynthiana
    • Grades 9-12
      • 1st Place: “Doggie Days” Sarah Stephens, Russell Springs
      • 2nd Place: “Leaning on God” Irene Hatcher, Canmer
      • 3rd Place: “Music: A Light in the Darkness” Malayna Pope, Burlington
  • PHOTO CONTEST HONORABLE MENTIONS
    • Grades K-2: “Our Cute Little Teddy Puppy” Ivy Wardle, Louisville
    • Grades 3-5: “Hide & Seek with Sister Portrait” Foster Holt, Lexington
    • Grades 6-8: “Dreaming of Alsha” Eza Gonzalez, Midway
    • Grades 9-12: “The Golden Hour” Kenya Cromer, Brodhead
  • PHOTO CONTEST PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNERS
    • Grades K-2: “I Love my Brother” Posy Holt, Lexington
    • Grades 3-5: “Love has no boundaries” Maci Curtsinger, Lawrenceburg
    • Grades 6-8: “Silas” Sylvia Coogle, Winchester
    • Grades 9-12: “Leaning on God” Irene Hatcher, Canmer

by Addison Gardner by Elisa Williams by Emily Wilson by Eza Gonzalez by Foster Holt
by Irene Hatcher
by Ivy Wardle by Kenya Cromer by Lucy Moran by Maci Curtsinger by Malayna Pope by Naminae Swan by Posy Holt
by Sage Allen by Sarah Stephens by Sylvia Coogle