4-H Ross Photography Contest
The Ross Foundation 4-H Photography Contest provides an opportunity for Arkansas 4-Hers to demonstrate, compete, and exhibit their photography skills. All 4-H members ages 8-19 are eligible and may enter a unique, original photo into each category.
Categories
Color Living • Color Non-Living • Black & White Living • Black & White Non-Living
Photo guidelines*
- All photos that are exclusively plant-life (bushes, flowers, trees, etc.) should be entered in the non-living category. The living category is intended for people and animals.
- All scenes/subjects must be in Arkansas.
- Digital file is required for judging at state level.
- Only one version of each photo can be entered.
- Use of photo editing is limited to "darkroom techniques" (cropping, dodging, burning, saturation, exposure).
Contest winners
- A county winner will be selected for each category and be submitted for consideration at the state level.
- First, Second and Third place state winners will be selected for each category.
- A Best of Exhibit will be chosen from all state winners.
Tips for Entry
- Shoot in high resolution digital file.
- Find a "focus" for each photo, something that draws your eye.
- Explore your community, get away from the beaten path.
- Keep your images sharp by using a tripod, two hands or leaning on something. Be creative, find original and interesting angles.
Images remain the property of the Photographer. The Ross Foundation 4-H Photography Contest reserves certain rights to use the images for all their purposes, including, but not limited to, promotion of future contests, public relations, production of brochures, advertising, education and a photo exhibit within the realm of the contest.
*Photos thought to be outside of the above criteria may be removed without the entrant being notified.
Contact your county 4-H agent for county contest details.
For County Agents:
At the state level, each county may enter four photographs. These must be the same winners in the four categories at county level. First, second and third-place state level winners are selected in each category. A Best In Show winner will also be selected from all the winners and be displayed in the 4-H State Office suite.
The due date for county winners submitted to the state is April 4, 2026. The below submission link should only be used by county agents.
Cash awards are presented to winners in the form of gift cards, paid through the 4-H Foundation, not the counties. Awarded gift cards will be mailed to county offices.
