Photo Contest: Hot Colors in Duke Gardens

Hearts-a-burstin' (Euonymus americanus). Photo by Brian Wells

With the fiery heat of summer behind us and the dazzling fall leaf show about to begin, we thought it'd be fun to celebrate with a Hot Colors Photo Contest on our Facebook page. 

What's a hot color? We'll leave that up to you to decide. It could be the summer displays in the Terrace Gardens. It could be a red berry or a male cardinal, a duck with brilliant plumage or a "white hot" bloom from the Page-Rollins White Garden. It can be from any season and any part of Duke Gardens. Think creatively!

Please don't be shy. This contest is open to photographers at all levels and all ages. It's just a fun way to share your love for the Gardens with others who love it here, too. Your photograph can be recent or from past years. 

by Micaela Unda (T'18)

Here's the scoop:

HOW TO ENTER: Email up to 3 photos to DukeGardensPhotos@yahoo.com. Please send one per email. We will post them in an album on Facebook, with your Facebook name in the photo description. You may then add more information about the photo in the comments if you like, and encourage your friends to come see it and vote by clicking "like." You may also post your photo on our wall, but be sure to email it as well, so that it's officially in the contest and albums. Only "like" votes on the album photos will count in vote tallies, though (polite) comments are welcome, too.  

Please be sure to see our etiquette page before posting, too, as we will not include photos of people climbing trees, playing sports or engaging in other activities that are not permitted in the Gardens. 


DEADLINE: Photos must be submitted by noon on Monday, Nov. 16. Voting will end at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19.  

Pink Velvet banana (Musa velutina). Photo by Orla Swift

HOW TO VOTE: It's simple. Just click "like" for all your favorite photos.

PRIZES: We'll have prizes for most "like" votes, as well as judges' awards, and an extra prize for the best photo featuring a Duke student or students dressed in Duke logo clothing. Prizes will include Terrace Shop discount coupons, Duke Gardens note cards, a Duke Gardens souvenir photo book or other Duke Gardens-related gifts. 

Lantana blossoms. Photo by Micaela Unda

SHARE: Even if you're not interested in prizes or contests, we'd love for you to share your photos just for fun, and share our contest photo album with your own Facebook friends. We look forward to seeing your favorites.

ELIGIBILITY: Anyone of any age may share Duke Gardens photos in this contest. The only people not eligible to win a prize are Duke Gardens employees.

NOTE: This contest is not administered, endorsed or operated by Facebook. By submitting your photo, you are giving Duke Gardens permission to share your photo on Facebook, and confirming that the photo you submit was taken by you and that any people featured in your photo have given their permission for the photo to be shared in this way.

LEARN MORE: Please check out our education and event listings for photo courses that you may enjoy. We also have a Nature Photography Certificate program that may interest you.

A bloom in the Mary Duke Biddle Rose Garden. Photo by Micaela Unda.