How does one enter these DU photography contests?

[CTyankee]

My daughter is a great photographer and I told her about our current contest. She looked at the theme and the photos in the 3 threads and thought she'd like to enter next time. She's not a DUer.

Can anyone tell me what she should do to enter? When is the next one? Is there a theme yet? I'm assuming that she has to be registered with DU first...

[slutticus]

1. Just visit this group every once in a while.

They will post a link for you to submit your entry around the first week of the month. It's pretty painless.

I've lurked in this group for a while, but never participated until this round.

But be aware that if you win the contest, you are expected to host the next round, so you or your daughter should be willing and able to do this if you enter.

[HappyCynic]

2. Entering

You're correct that she must be registered with DU first. There are three different types of contests:
1. Monthly
2. Seasonal
3. Calendar

For the monthly contests, the winner of the most recent contest is responsible for running the next monthly contest. The first thing that happens it the selection of the theme. Some hosts will choose the theme on their own while others get suggestions and use polls. After the theme is announced, a submission thread for entries will be created. Here's the submission thread for the currently running contest: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=280&topic_id=74701&mesg_id=74701
The rules are written in the post for submissions. (Generally speaking, longest side 800 pixels, file size < 200K, host may not enter. Read the rules in the thread for much more detailed rules.)
If you have a photo to enter, post it on an image site (photobucket, flickr, etc.). Reply to the submission thread with the subject line as the title of your photo and the message as the link to the photo. Do not include any other info (any comments you make can be done in the comment thread).
The seasonal contests are similar to the monthly contests with a couple changes. The theme is not random - they'll be something like "scenes of summer". There are two hosts so the host can enter (abdicating responsibilities to the other host if their entry makes it to the final round). Other than that, it's pretty much just like the monthly contests.
The calendar contest has much different rules than the other two, as there are more winning photos and they need to be high enough quality to be printed. Here's a link to last year's calendar submission thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=280&topic_id=54131&mesg_id=54131

We're close to the projected schedule for the calendar (theme is Architecture) so the submission thread should be soon. The current monthly contest is in the voting stage so it'll be about 2-3 weeks before submissions for the next monthly contest. The last seasonal contest was in May so the summer one should be early August.

I look forward to seeing her photos.

[CTyankee]

3. Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to get this to me!

I've forwarded your post to her.

A question: If you win in any category, you have to host the next one. It's not just in the monthly contest, right?

[HappyCynic]

4. Just the monthly

It's just the monthly. The seasonal and calendar contests, as I understand it, have regular hosts.

[CTyankee]

5. Thanks, that's great.

Altho my daughter is a strong liberal (she organized a fundraiser for Deval Patrick in her town in MA in the spring) she doesn't have a lot of time to devote to politics online (3 kids!). So I don't know how much time she can devote to DU...

I love this DU Group! You guys are fantastic...I love art but cannot draw or paint myself and my photographic skills are sub zero. I admire those who CAN do the photography and she is one of those. It's a particular talent, I feel. Just being able to know when to take that shot...if you know what I mean...