Contest blooms: Fall color photos wanted by tourism bureau

The Cedar City Brian Head Tourism Bureau is calling for submissions to its fall colors photography contest, which runs through Oct. 31.

Office Manager Bonnie Char said all the rules for the contest can be found on the bureau's Web site www.scenicsouthernutah.com.

"Just click on the fall color report icon," she said. "Then follow the link to the contest page."

Marketing Assistant Amber Bennett said when the contest is over the bureau's volunteers help narrow the field and the winners are chosen.

"Three judges pick the winners," she said.

First prize is a year-round pass to the national parks, valued at $80, and $100 cash. Second place earns $75 cash and third place earns $50. The winners will also be posted on the bureau's Web site.

Bennett said the contest is open to anyone visiting southern Utah.

"Last year we had people from New York and Hawaii enter," she said. "But we do ask that the photos be from southwestern Utah only."

Bennett said the judging criteria are depiction of fall color and the scenery of southern Utah and the composition of the photograph. There is no restriction on the size of the photo but submissions must be at least 300dpi to be considered.

Entries should be emailed to amber@netutah.com but photos on a CD are also acceptable.

"You can bring photos into the office," she said. "As long as they're in an electronic format (we can accept them)."

With Cedar Breaks and Zion National Park just a short drive from campus, opportunities to capture fall beauty in southern Utah abound.

Robin Hampton of Cedar Breaks National Monument said the fall colors are just beginning to erupt.

"Right now there is isolated color," she said. "If you drive through and go past Chessman Ridge and above you'll find it."

Hampton said she expects the color to really come on in the next two weeks.

"We have a couple of lovely hiking trails," she said. "We're like a smaller version of Bryce Canyon."

Another feature Hampton said makes a great photo is the alpine pond.

"It's a great opportunity to experience an alpine pond and forest," she said.

She also said the last star party of the season is on Saturday at the visitor's center.

"We have one of the best night sky viewing in the state," she said.

Hampton said she recommends checking in at the visitor's center especially for those visiting the park alone.

"We just like to know you're here," she said.

Bennett said the contest is limited to four photos per person; last year's contest had about 45 entrants and about 180 photos.

"We want to look at (your photos) and say, 'now that's southern Utah,'" she said.