• Connecting to the Dark – Experiencing a natural night provides perspective and inspiration that leads us to reflect on our humanity and place in the universe. Share a nightscape photo that evokes such reflections.
• The Buffalo National River - The Buffalo is the state's only International Dark Sky Place.  Enter photos of the River's unique nightscape.
• The Impact of Light Pollution – Share a shot that demonstrates the impact of light pollution, which includes images of terrible lighting, glare bombs, etc. (Must include information on the location and source of the lighting and any story that goes with it.)
• The Bright Side of Lighting – Share a shot of lighting that respects the dark. (Must include information on the location and source of the lighting and any story that goes with it.)
• Creatures of the Night – Light pollution doesn’t only erase our view of the stars, scientific evidence suggests that artificial light at night has negative and deadly effects on wildlife, including amphibians, birds, insects, and mammals. Share a photo of a creature that is impacted by light pollution.
• Astro-photos – Share telescopic photos of planets and deep-sky objects. (Must include the name and type of object imaged.)
• The Mobile Photographer – Share a shot from any of the above categories taken with a cell phone, tablet, or GoPro. No DSLR, mirrorless camera, or drone shots.

• Images must have been taken in Arkansas;
• Limit of one entry per person per category;
• A photo may be entered in more than one category;
• The submittal must be made no later than September 10th;
• There must be a minimum of three entries for a category to be submitted for judging;
• The winner will be chosen in each category by those attending the Dark-Sky Festival at Tyler Bend campground on September 14 through and 16th.  Runner-up awards may be made at the discretion of the Festival depending on the number of entries in a category and the closeness of the vote.

For each category entry, attach the entry photo to an email addressed to [email protected] with the category name in the subject line, and include the following information:

• Photographer's name, email address, and phone #;
• The approximate date and location of the photo;
• A brief description of the equipment and technique used;
• Any additional information about the subject of the photo required by the category or which seems desirable.

PS, we plan to include a night sky photography presentation and a workshop.  If you are willing to help with these, please email [email protected].  Thanks

Note: photographers retain ownership of images submitted, but agree that ANSA may display the images on its website and social media platforms and use them in various promotional and educational materials so long as credit is given to the photographer.  ANSA will not sell images or include them in items to be sold without express permission.