Almond Blossom Cruise

van Gogh Photo Challenge

• Van Gogh Challenge was conceived to draw inspiration from Vincent Van Gogh’s Almond Blossom Paintings of the late 1800’s. The goal of the program is to bring awareness to the Modesto Almond Blossom Cruise and recognize regional artists through creation of new art with Nature’s natural phenomena of almonds blossoming as the subject or backdrop 
• Inspire creativity and arts in our community 
• Draw attention to the natural beauty of the Central Valley  
• Celebrate Spring  
• To create an opportunity for regional photographic artists the ability to display their work to the general public 

Disclaimer: We do not condone trespassing, and we advise photo contest participants to utilize the pre-determined photo locations of the Almond Blossom Cruise or to get permission from owners of the property planned to use for location shots.  

The Grand Prize and Amateur prize are open to photographers who are 18 years of age or older. The Youth Prize is open to individuals 12-18 years of age. Individuals affiliated with Visit Modesto, including employees, board members, committee members and their immediate families (including children, parents, siblings and spouses) as well as judges and others living in their households are not eligible for any prize. Visit Modesto will determine winners’ eligibility in its sole discretion.

There is a MAX number of five (5) photo entries per person for this contest.

Drawing inspiration from Van Gogh’s Almond Blossom paintings, we ask that you submit digital pictures of the Modesto Area Almond Blossoms.  

1. Almond Orchards of Stanislaus County ONLY 
2. People experiencing the blossoms 
3. Aerial/Drone photography as in accordance with local law 
4. Artistic interpretations of the blossoms in the region 

To be eligible for any category, a photograph must have been shot by the entrant since January 1, 2020. This date applies to all images in a composite. The contestant certifies that he/she is the sole creator and copyright owner of the submitted photograph. 

Cropped photos are eligible in all categories. Minor adjustments, including the removal of sensor dust or scratches on scans of negatives, dodging and burning, sharpening, contrast, toning, slight color adjustment and conversion to grayscale are acceptable for all categories. The addition and subtraction of objects is not permitted except in the Artistic Images category. If the judges determine that a photographer has altered his or her photo beyond normal photojournalism best practices, they reserve the right to move the photo to Artistic Images or to disqualify it. Image composites including HDR and stitched panoramas will be judged as Artistic Images. Images generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) are not permitted. 

All submissions require artists to check the release of rights for use by Visit Modesto for commercial and promotional purposes. 

For a photo in which a person is recognizable, you must be prepared to provide a model release from the subject or, in the case of a minor, the subject’s parent or guardian, to Visit Modesto upon request.  

Similarly, entrants whose photos depict other people’s work (such as sculptures, statues, paintings, and other copyrightable works) must be prepared to provide a release from the rights holder to Visit Modesto upon request. When photographing the work of others, it must be as an object in its environment and not a full-frame close-up of another person’s creation.  

If the entrant is unable to provide all required releases, Visit Modesto in its sole discretion reserves the right to disqualify the submission, seek to secure the required releases, or permit the submission to remain in the contest. All entries must include; photographer name, location of photo, title for work 

Photos must be taken in accordance with federal, state and local laws and with appropriate permission from property owners. Photos that violate or infringe upon another person’s rights, including but not limited to copyright, are not eligible. Photos that contain sexually explicit, nude, obscene, violent or other objectionable or inappropriate content, as determined by Visit Modesto in its sole discretion, are ineligible for all categories of this contest. 

Youth: Canon – EOS R100 4K Video Mirrorless Camera with RF-S 18-45mm, display in the Modesto California Welcome Center, Featured on the Wayfarer App.

Amateur: “Photo Goes on Tour” monthly to different local locations to be displayed, display in the Modesto California Welcome Center, Featured on the Wayfarer App.

Professional: Outdoor Vintage Faire Mall display on the left of Dicks Sporting Goods (140″ x 259″), display in the Modesto California Welcome Center, Featured on the Wayfarer App.

Submissions will be accepted starting February 12, 2024. All entries must be received through visitmodesto.com by 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time on March 10, 2024.

Photo entries will be judged based on creativity, quality, originality, responsiveness to the prompt and overall impact. Judges will be basing ratings upon their own interpretations. 

Visit Modesto’s chosen Judges will select 10 finalists per category, a winner for each category, and a Grand Prize winner from the 10 finalists of the Professional open. The 30 finalists will be notified of their status via email and appear on our website in March 2024. At that time, the public will be able to vote on the Visit Modesto website for the Locals’ Choice winner from among the 30 finalists. The Locals’ Choice winners, Grand Prize winner and category winners will be revealed online in spring 2024. These dates may be subject to change. 

Visit Modesto will notify winners via the contact information provided at the time of entry; Visit Modesto may disqualify anyone who fails to respond to the notification within five business days. 

Please do not contact us about the status of entries or judging. 

Visit Modesto may select photos for highlight on its website or display in a publicly accessible contest archive. Such selections will be made at Visit Modesto’s sole discretion.

All entrants hold the Visit Modesto and contest sponsors and their respective regents, directors, officers, employees, emeriti, fellows, interns, research associates, and volunteers (the “Indemnified Parties”) harmless from and against all claims of any nature arising in connection with entrant’s participation in the contest and acceptance or use of a prize. The Indemnified Parties are not liable for any costs, damages, injuries, or other claims incurred because of entrants’ participation in the contest or winner’s acceptance and usage of a prize. The Indemnified Parties are not responsible for incomplete or misdirected entries, technical or network malfunctions or failures, or causes beyond their control.  

Entrants are solely responsible for their entries. Entrants may not submit materials that introduce any software viruses, worms or other programs designed to damage software, hardware or telecommunications equipment or are off-topic, partisan-political, contain advertising, nudity, personal attacks or expletives, or is otherwise abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, discriminatory, libelous, obscene, false, sexually explicit, or that infringes on the rights of any third party. 

The contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law. Visit Modesto reserves the right to cancel the contest or modify these rules at its discretion. In the event of a dispute regarding the winners, Visit Modesto reserves the right to award or not award the prizes in its sole discretion. Visit Modesto reserves the right to disqualify any entrant whose entry or conduct appears in any way to: inhibit the enjoyment of others; tamper with the competition; violate these rules or other applicable law or regulation; infringe on the rights of third parties; or act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Decisions of Visit Modesto are final and binding.