“Dogs on the Parkway” will be a focus of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s component of the Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition this year. Being one of the most popular categories of the competition, the Blue Ridge Parkway Journey® category will be a rotating category featuring a different theme each year.

“Dog owners love their dogs,” states Houck Medford, executive director of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. “It is part of the Parkway journey!” It seemed only fitting that we make this the theme for the Blue Ridge Parkway Journey category. Entries will be judged on impact, lighting, composition, and effectively conveying the idea of traveling, hiking, motorcycling, or whatever Parkway activity with your dog. Posed or studio photographs will be disqualified. (Also, make sure that your favorite photo shows your dog on a leash if out of the vehicle . . . ahem, newly enforced regulations! Ouch, the fines hurt!)

Registration for the 6th Annual Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition is scheduled to begin toward the end of September of 2008. Start gathering your camera gear and get those ideas churning!