Welcome to the 3rd annual Flash Photography competition!

At Portland Track, we believe that fostering the arts community around Track & Field (and any running competition) helps to amplify the stories of the athletes and the events, and ultimately grow the sport that we all love. After a showcase in Year One, we evolved to hosting a photography contest as part of the Flash event, open to all.

Entry & Selection Process

  • Submission deadline: October 20th

For the categories & rules for submission, please see below.

  • Shortlist Notified: November 1st

    We will notify the shortlist photographers, which will be featured at the Flash event.

Note: If the artist is interested, we will print each of the selected photos to be auctioned off at the event, and 50% of the auction money will go back to the artist.

  • Final Selection & Winners Announced: Dec 5th (at the event)

Top 3 photos in each category will be revealed at the event, and a final winner in each category will be announced. Prizes given to winners!

The shortlist, finalists and winners will be chosen by a panel of five people who work in photography, running, and media - more specifics to come.

We encourage all photographers to attend the event! We love to have you present!

Rules for Submission

  1. Only submit one photo per category

  2. A photo can only be submitted to one category (please do not submit the same photo for multiple categories)

  3. Photos must be from 2024

  4. Photos should be from professional meets/events, with the exception of the Portrait category

  5. Photos should be of adults (no children or high schoolers)

  6. Marathon, trail or cross-country related photos are also accepted as part of the competition

  7. Rename your file as CATEGORY_Photographer’sFirstName_LastName (i.e ACTION_Steve_Prefontaine)

    NOTE: Photos do not need to be from Oregon! While we love the Pacific Northwest, we equally value photos that were taken at any meets or events around the country (or the world?!)

CATEGORIES

  • ACTION: Photography of an athlete in motion or reacting to their mark, time, etc. during competition or training (ie. capturing peak action at an event).

  • PORTRAIT/STILL: Studio portraiture or candid imagery of an athlete during practice or competition. (ie. A smile while being introduced, drinking water, talking with a coach).

  • ABSTRACT/LANDSCAPE/OTHER: Scenic views of surrounding area where an athlete is competing/training, alternative photography techniques (ie. panning shots, tilt shift, multiple exposure), photography incorporating mixed media artistry.

elements for judging photos:

  • Composition

  • In focus

  • Framing

  • General action

  • Unique

  • Background

  • Light

  • Importance of moment

  • Emotion

  • Color

  • Posing

Thank you to Our 2024 Flash Partners:

Interested in being a corporate partner for flash?

Please reach out to jeff@portlandtrack.com