Now it’s your turn: enter the Soundings Salty Paws Photo Contest and share photos of the pets that make your time on the water special.
We’re looking for images that capture the unique bond between pets and boats — from a Labrador sprawled across the foredeck to a tabby curled up at the nav station. The winning photographs will be featured in the January 2011 issue, and all qualified entries will be shared on SoundingsOnline.com and our Flickr photostream (www.flickr.com/photos/soundingsonline).
The contest runs through Oct. 1, giving you the whole summer to capture your dog or cat’s best boating moment. The contest is open to all photographers, but submissions must be previously unpublished. Entrants may submit up to three total photos, so choose your absolute best shots.
How to enter:
— By e-mail: send your photo to [email protected]. Include “Photo Contest” in the subject line. Photos should be high resolution (300 dpi); do not send Web-quality images. If you have files larger than 6 MB, please call before sending.
— By mail: send printed images or high-resolution digital files to Salty Paws Photo Contest, Soundings Publications, 10 Bokum Road, Essex, CT 06426.
For full details, call (800) 444-7686, Ext. 230 or e-mail the contest address above.
Submission guidelines (summary):
— Limit: three entries per person.
— Image status: only unpublished photographs are eligible.
— File quality: submit high-resolution files suitable for print (300 dpi). If you need to send very large files, contact the staff first to arrange delivery.
Tips to make your boating-pet photos stand out
Capturing pets on a boat can be rewarding and challenging. For better results, keep these practical tips in mind:
— Prioritize safety: always ensure your pet is safe and comfortable. Use non-slip mats and keep them secure when shooting near rails or open water.
— Look for personality: candid moments—yawning, alert expressions, playfulness, or that contented nap on deck—often convey more emotion than staged poses.
— Pay attention to light: early morning and late afternoon provide warm, flattering light. Avoid harsh midday sun that casts strong shadows; overcast days can give soft, even lighting.
— Consider composition: get down to the pet’s level, use leading lines of the boat to frame the subject, and leave breathing room in the frame so the image feels balanced.
— Focus and exposure: make sure the pet’s eyes are sharp. Use faster shutter speeds to freeze motion if your subject is active.
— Capture context: include elements of boat life — winches, lines, helm, or the shoreline — to tell a stronger story about life aboard.
— Keep captions ready: a brief caption that names the pet, the boat, and a short note about the moment adds interest and makes your entry more compelling.
What happens after you submit
Submitted images that meet the contest requirements will be reviewed and qualified entries will be shared on SoundingsOnline.com and the publication’s Flickr photostream. The selected winners will appear in the January 2011 issue.
Final reminders
— Make sure your images are unpublished and that you do not exceed three entries.
— Label e-mail submissions clearly with “Photo Contest” in the subject line and follow file-size guidance.
— If you have questions about acceptable file sizes or formats, call (800) 444-7686, Ext. 230 before sending large attachments.
See related stories:
– A boater’s best friend
– Pampered pooches
– A first mate with nine lives
This article originally appeared in the July 2010 issue.