SocialDocumentary.net –CALL FOR ENTRIES

“Using the power of photography to promote global awareness” is the tagline for a photo contest that goes beyond the standard parameters of most picture competitions. SDN‘s annual Call for Entries is an open invitation to advance your career as a documentary photographer. Two Grand Prize winners will be awarded $4000 each and each will spend up to two weeks documenting the global health projects of Management Sciences for Health. Yes, instead of relying on the usual network of photography agencies to hire talented picture professionals, MSH wants to give the opportunity to members of the SocialDocumentary.net community. A $35 fee will allow you to join SDN, upload a portfolio, and be entered for the Call for Entries. Your portfolio will be available for viewing to anyone who visits socialdocumentary.net.

There is a $1000 cash Documentary Award for a third winner and a New York City exhibition that will include 2-3 honorable mentions as well as the 3 winners. The deadline is September 28, 2013. Check out more information and details here and here.

In addition to this annual Call for Entries, SDN offers a monthly award of $200 for the best portfolio uploaded that month. I had the opportunity to vote on this month’s winning entry. In support of full disclosure, I am on the Advisory Board for SocialDocumentary.Net. I am not on the selection committee for the current Call for Entries.

Photos by Frank Ward.

The above pictures are from two not-so-recent projects. The top image of an elephant bathing in the water supply of a village in South India was created when I was part of a Rotary Foundation Group Study Exchange photographing health issues in India (1999). The lower picture of a young boy was made from a military vehicle while embedded with the U.S. forces stationed in Kosovo. I was there under the auspices of the Center for Balkan Development bringing aid to help rebuild Kosovo (2000).