Call for Submissions for

South Bay

landscape, seascape, and wildlife Book

The Palos Verdes Pulse is asking for photographic submissions for a “coffee table” photo book of coastal South Bay locations. We’re starting work on a book that will celebrate the landscapes, seascapes, and wildlife we all care about as well as the photographers who’ve captured these spots so beautifully.

As publishers, we know creating any hard-bound photographic “art book” is a challenge – and that gathering high level photographs is key. That why the PV Pulse works with South Bay photographers so often. So, for this new project, we’ve structured the submission and judging process like many photo contests do.

Unlike most art contests, there’s no cost to enter. But we need each photographer to follow some boring but necessary submission guidelines – stuff like image size and background info text. Some of these creative details will be used in the eventual book. So here’s what we need.

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Theme. Every classic art photo book has a theme and we want our book the celebrate the beauty of our coastal landscape, seascape, and wildlife and the artistry of our photographers. … Imagine a National Geographic coffee table book for the South Bay -- by folks like you. So imagine which of your images best fit that genre and theme.

Locations. The book will cover coastal locations from Manhattan Beach down to the southeastern side of the Peninsula, Cabrillo Beach. We won’t include images from the El Segundo refinery north or the LA Harbor area. But from the Cabrillo breakwater and Angels Gate on north you’re find an abundance of great shooting spots.

Types of Photos. There are lots of photo genres being practiced here in the South Bay: weddings, portraits, real estate, street photography (and more). But the main genre we’re looking for are landscape, seascape, and wildlife: the beaches, piers, cliffs, tidal pools, wildlife, etc. that are a recognizable part of the coast. The photos could be grand panoramas, intimate photos of sandpipers, close-up abstractions, even drone shots.

The photos can include buildings, animal life, people as part of the So Cal coastal culture. But like a National Geographic book, images should use composition and light to evoke mood, tell a story, move us. 

Quality. There are hundreds of shots taken every day that receive “Likes.” But for this project, pull out your best work. So show us images that are composed, layered, surprising, touching.

Avoid blurry images, tilting horizons. Don’t give us 4-5 of the same basic shot. Share the one you’re most proud of.

The judges don’t care what the photographer does (or doesn’t do) in post production. That’s part of your style. But avoid images that look oversaturated or manipulated. 

Quantity. Start off by submitting no more than 10 of your best images. If the judges like what they see, they may contact you to see more. 

Image Size. For the initial submission provide shots that are 1500 px on the long size. If the judges decide they want an image(s) for the book, you’ll be asked to share the photo at full size.

Logos and Watermarks. Please no watermarks or logos on the photos you submit. Each image file will be labeled as to photographer. 

Photo Ownership. You as photographer have full copyright over your work if it appears in the book. And like contests, lower resolution versions of photos may be used in marketing or advertising for the published book.

Send all your submissions to : ______________.

Format for Submission - Deadline June 30, 2022

Please email the following to PalosVerdesPulse@gmail.com

1. Your Name

2. Email Address:

3. Best Phone #:

4. Preferred Social Media URL (only one):

5. Attached Photo: In JPG format, 1500px long side

6. File Name is First and Last name. For example:  JoanSmith1.jpg, JoanSmith2,jpg ...

File name shouldn’t include any spaces, extraneous punctuation (except the period). 

7. Image title: “Morning at Bluff Cove” (example only)

8. Image Description: Use no more than 20 words to describe a photo and its specific location in a way that’s evocative. For example: “Surfers out at Bluff Cove in the early morning mist.” This caption material may be edited for length and readability.

9. Group Description. If you’re sending a group of images, you can choose to give us an artistic statement, description of approach, even your thoughts about shooting along our amazing coast. Try keeping it to 50 words or less; not all this material will find its way into the book anyway. … And don’t worry if your group or image descriptions aren't perfect. We’ll have all the writing cleaned up by a professional copy editor.

10. Before submitting, make sure the image is print-ready and that the writing is mistake free.

Selection Process. Each photograph will be looked at by a team of judges. For selected images, we’ll email you the name of the image or images accepted. Upon acceptance, please send us your final image at full high def. Label the jpg this way: JoanSmith1Final.jpg

 If that image is a phone shot, it may need to be upsized for final publication. Topaz Gigaplex, Photoshop or similar AI software is recommended for upsizing or contact the Pulse directly.

Best practice: It’s suggested that you print a copy of any selected images at 8x10 or 8.5x11 before sending us the final work. Printed versions of a photograph never look exactly like the screen version. 

Final Thoughts

Anyone who follows social media knows how many great photographs have come out of this community. Obviously we won’t be able to highlight every excellent photograph – at least not in a first book. But we want to highlight the best work being done and recognize each photographer accordingly. So show us your best work and you may find yourself featured in an elegant book of photographs.

Questions

Contact: palosverdespulse@gmail.com