Calling All Shutterbugs -- Capture Valley's Magic in Scenic Hudson Photo Contest

HUDSON VALLEY -- Photographers of all ages, amateur and professional, are invited to share their favorite works capturing the Hudson Valley's legendary beauty. Entries can be made now through Monday, June 30, at www.scenichudson.org. Prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories, including People's Choice winners so contest participants can encourage family, friends and co-workers to support their creative endeavor.

The photo contest follows an art competition Scenic Hudson did last spring for kids and teens that garnered more than 400 paintings, drawings, sculptures and photos.

Categories allow for varied creative expression

Images should celebrate the legendary beauty of the Hudson Valley in one of six categories. More details and online registration at www.scenichudson.org.

Prizes and promotional opportunities

Winners will be selected for each category. Each winner will receive an Olympus FE-310 compact camera with 5x zoom. A grand prize winner will receive an Olympus E-410 SLR with two zoom lenses, gadget bag, wireless remote, 1 GB memory card and extended warranty. Cameras and related equipment provided by co-sponsor Artcraft Camera & Digital of Poughkeepsie, Kingston and New Paltz. All winners also will receive a signed copy of "A Photographer's Life 1990-2005" by renowned photographer, and Hudson Valley resident, Annie Leibovitz.

All entries will be displayed in a special gallery at our popular Web site, www.scenichudson.org. Winners will receive additional visibility with tens of thousands of people who receive Scenic Hudson's quarterly printed newsletter, monthly e-newsletter and annual report.

Scenic Hudson works to protect and restore the Hudson River and its majestic landscape as an irreplaceable national treasure and a vital resource for residents and visitors. A crusader for the valley since 1963, we are credited with saving fabled Storm King Mountain from a destructive industrial project and launching the modern grass-roots environmental movement. Today with more than 10,000 ardent supporters, we are the largest environmental group focused on the Hudson River Valley. Our team of experts combines land acquisition, support for agriculture, citizen-based advocacy and sophisticated planning tools to create environmentally healthy communities, champion smart economic growth, open up riverfronts to the public and preserve the valley's inspiring beauty and natural resources. www.scenichudson.org

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