Sussex County's Sunshine® sunflower photo contest update

If a picture's worth a thousand words-then the first annual Sussex County's Sunshine® sunflower photo contest is speaking volumes about Sussex County-its farmland, beauty and community spirit! The Virtual Gallery hosted by NaturallySussex.com is bursting with beautiful entries from professionals, amateurs. Digitally Altered photos bring new dimension to the photos taken of 2010/2011 sunflower fields. More than 100 beautiful and creative entries can be viewed and shared on the site, delivering on the promise to "brighten someone's day".

Contest host Brodhecker Farm is accepting all print entries until October 15th. The entries will be used to create a traveling exhibit. The framed art will be premiered in an exhibit opening at the sponsor location on November 12th. The public is invited to attend or visit the display which will remain at the farm until December 31, 2011. Applications will soon be available for organizations and businesses who would like to host the exhibit in 2012. Contact: Shopkeeper@naturallysussex.com for more details.

A Guest Book on the site welcomes comments from Virtually Gallery visitors. The contest creators hope to spread some "sunshine" around the globe. Adding a geographic location to the Guest Book entry helps to measure the reach of the contest and brings it closer to meeting that goal.

The public response to the photo contest has wonderful. Entries will be accepted for both the Virtual and Print exhibit until October 15, 2011. There is no charge to enter. 2010/2011 photos are being accepted in three classes-Pro/Amateur and Digitally Altered. See naturallysussex.com for entry forms and prize information. *photos -not photographers- must be from Sussex Co NJ.

Sunflower photos spread a little sunshine in wake of Irene

We're all painfully aware of the wide spread damage caused by Irene. Power outages, flooding and traffic snarls are adding to the intensity of stress post storm. Photos by the thousands remind us of Nature's might and fury. But there is another side of nature that is equally powerful and can be uplifting to the spirit and calming to the soul. Those are the images we hope to share with a weary world through the collection of Sussex County's Sunshine® sunflower photos being added to the virtual gallery at naturallysussex.com.

Viewing platform offers a panoramic view of the field.

The timing of this free to enter photo contest couldn't be better. Adding your photos to the virtual gallery or print exhibit couldn't be easier. Visit naturallysussex.com for the details.

Contest sponsor, Brodhecker Farm, reports that although there is damage throughout the 24 acres of sunflower crop (about 30% across the three fields) the "late bloomers" seem to be standing in defiance of  Irene's fury. Strong winds and heavy rains uprooted some of the stalks but with a resilience that reflects the spirit of the Sussex County agricultural community, many of the young plants have weathered this storm.

Digitally Altered photo shows "visitor" drinking in the beauty.

Photos from across Sussex County's farmland (2010 and 2011) are welcome.  Enter as many photos as you wish electronically and in print.
Digitally Altered-Professional and Amateur classes are available.



Photos-not photographers-must be from Sussex County.


The virtual gallery is open for your viewing pleasure. Fields of sunflowers are in still in bloom for your enjoyment (see brodheckerfarm.com for locations).

photo courtesy of N Hreha

Sussex Naturally invites you to take a break and bask in some Sussex County Sunshine.


NaturallySussex welcomes BBC Printing  Branchville, NJ as the photo print sponsor of Sussex County's Sunshine®. Quality printing and friendly service. BBC Printing has a lot of great ideas for turning your favorite sunflower photos into unique and personalized gifts...helping you spread a little Sussex County Sunshine!