Costa Mesa Local Photo Contest

City of Costa Mesa announces local photo contest; finalists’ work to appear on City’s revamped website COSTA MESA, CALIF.—Amateur, professional and youth photographers are encouraged to enter the inaugural “Celebrate Costa Mesa” photo contest that features cash and prizes worth more than $1,000. The finalists’ photos will appear on the City’s revamped website scheduled to be unveiled early next year. Photographers can enter six categories: 

1. Costa Mesa Characters (photos of local people)
2. Costa Mesa Environment (open spaces, parks, wildlife, skylines, landmarks)
3. Costa Mesa Life (education, sports, nightlife, events)
4. Costa Mesa Pets
5. OC Fair (photos taken at the fairgrounds)
6. Altered Images (artistically manipulated photos)

 The winners will be selected by a panel consisting of professional photographers and representatives from the Costa Mesa Conference and Visitor Bureau and City of Costa Mesa, including members of the Cultural Arts Committee. Winners of the six categories will be posted online for public voting, and the photo with the most online votes will be awarded the grand prize. The contest is free, and entrants may submit up to six photos per category. The deadline for entries is Jan. 9 at 5 p.m. Photos must be taken in Costa Mesa. Interested photographers can find contest details here (www.costamesaca.gov/photocontest).Winning photographers will receive recognition by the Costa Mesa City Council and the Costa Mesa Conference and Visitor Bureau. Their winning entries will be published on the City’s website and annual calendar; featured in the City’s CEO E-Briefing digital newsletter and “Costa Mesa Minute” video broadcast; and may also be used in other City publications.Cash prizes will be awarded as follows: Grand Prize: $250; First Place: $100; Honorable Mention: $25.Photos must be taken within Costa Mesa city limits. Judging will be in January and all participants are invited to a City Hall gallery exhibit of winners in February 2012.