We know, we post it every year. But here it is again: the Downtown Sacramento Partnership has issued its annual call to local photogs for entries to its 2010 contest.  Find all the details via the link.  This year, the DSP is offering helpful categories to guide would-be winners.  Judging by simple Flickr searches, we have some great local artists who capture interesting, unique aspects of downtown life and culture. 

Though I can’t put my hands a copy of the rules from past year’s contests, it seems to me that DSP is allowing more entries (good!) and has a more comprehensive list of categories (good!).  The only major drawback – at least to me – is that the rules continue to restrict entries to one per category, despite allowing 12 entries from a single person.  If you have a specialty, then, you can’t present more than a sole example of your best work.  I wasn’t downtown for New Year’s Eve, but I adore taking photos of the downtown Farmers’ Markets.  I wish they would ease up or restructure that restriction. [Ed's note: They did! See below]

Good luck to all entrants!

*Update*

Ask and ye shall receive:

Good morning,

I just saw your Metblog post, and first let me say, “Thanks for the mention
on your blog!” And, YES, there are expanded categories and/or subject
suggestions to help photographers get an idea of the kinds of things we look
for-you know, beyond the iconic Tower Bridge and Capitol bldg….  And YES,
we are now allowing more entries. I agree that there are amazing local
artists who would make great additions to the 2010 calendar.

I am emailing, however, because your post made me realize that I think I
uploaded the wrong entry form…We actually DID change the rules to allow 15
photos total, 3 per category for each entrant, specifically for the reasons
you talked about on the blog entry.  When I read your post, I went back and
checked it. Yup. Wrong PDF.

I just updated the website with the correct form, and at the bottom of page
two of the form, you should see the new information as well as a consistent
deadline date (that was wrong too) of Sept. 11, 2009. I¹ve also attached the
correct form to this email, for your convenience. The photo release can be
found on the website, as usual.

Again, thanks for posting, and we really appreciate that you appreciate the
new guidelines. We really hope to shake things up with the calendar, by
altering the rules, specifically listing the kinds of events we would like
to see photographed, etc.

We look forward to your entries!

Julia Beckner
Programming Manager
Downtown Sacramento Partnership