WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Feb. 4, 2009) - If Soldiers have a good photograph, "Soldiers Magazine," the Army's official magazine, wants to see it.
The magazine has launched its first "Of Soldiers, By Soldiers" cover photo contest, running through Apr. 21.
"We really want to highlight Soldiers and their abilities in the magazine," said Editor Carrie McLeroy.
She added that Soldiers should be both behind the camera and in the shots. They can be from both the active and reserve components, as well as veterans, but they don't have to be professional Army photographers. Each Soldier is limited to one submission.
The photos can be of anything: Soldiers in the field, downrange, training, garrison life, even off-duty or studio shots. Any photos taken in theater or of sensitive training must be cleared by Soldiers' commands prior to submission. All photos must be in focus and at least five by seven inches at 300 dots per inch.
If Soldiers would like their photos to be considered for the cover, McLeroy said they should submit vertical, right-facing photos. That means the action in the photo should aim to the right or the person should be looking to the right, leading a reader to open the magazine. She said that photos that don't make the cover but are still good, dynamic images will run in one or two photo features this summer.
According to McLeroy, "Soldiers" has already received an image that will probably be used on the May cover. It's a studio shot that fits with memorial stories often run in that month's issue, focusing on Memorial Day.
But that doesn't mean the search for a great cover photo is over. This is a contest with more than one winner. McLeroy said she'd really like multiple outstanding photos she can use for several issues during the summer.
Participants should include both their contact information and their supervisors' names and contact information with their submissions. Winners will receive a copy of the magazine and McLeroy said she would send letters of appreciation to their supervisors.
The television show "Army Wives," also plans to use issues of the magazine as set dressing through August, so McLeroy said cover winners could find their images on TV. To submit, send images to carrie.mcleroy@afn.dma.mil.
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