'Natural Playground' Photo Contest: Exhibit Selections

by: Justin Gural

After a month-long submission process, where photographers of both pro and amateur status dropped their images into a hat, we're excited to announce our first annual "Natural Playground" juried exhibition selections.

The photographs selected in this gallery are officially entered into the contest, where they'll be on display at Darkroom Gallery in Essex Junction, Vermont from October 14 through November 4 and printed within a glossy feature catalog. The photographers are eligible to win gear prizes from sponsors for the overall Juror's Choice winner and peer-voted People's Choice, and we're offering the winners an editorial feature at VentureThere.com and Travel.USATODAY.com.

The opening reception is slated for Friday, October 14, from 6-8pm, where we'll be announcing the Grand Prize winner, and contest sponsors will be dishing out gear and premiums in the name of stoke.

The People's Choice winner will be announced at the end of the gallery exhibit, after a month-long voting period both in the gallery and online through this gallery. Whoever's photo gets the most online comments, and the most votes onsite at Darkroom Gallery, will be awarded the People's Choice award and prizes.

Grand Prize Package:
(Overall winner, selected by the jury: Corey Rich and Justin Gural)

-- Polartec NeoShell Jacket by The North Face

-- Sierra Designs Zolo Tent

-- Pacsafe CamSafe 200

-- Climb High JOBY Gorillapod

-- Bamboo Bottle Co. Bottle

Peoples' Choice Prize Package:
(Selected by attendees during month-long exhibit.)

-- Brunton Restore Solar Charger

-- Pacsafe VentureSafe 50

-- Pacsafe DigiSafe 100

-- Climb High JOBY Gorillapod

-- Bamboo Bottle Co. Bottle

-- Skiershop DVD 4-Pack

Without further ado, here are the images of "Natural Playground" --presented by Darkroom Gallery, Cortex Marketing and VentureThere.com.

Playgrounds come in all shapes and sizes, and they're likely the first place your sense of adventure was tested... and further cultivated.

For the outdoor aficionado, what first started as an obsession for see-saws, swing sets, slides, jungle gyms, and sandboxes, has since turned into an instinctive passion for adventure by means of a different type of playground -- the natural playground.

For those passionate about their outdoor adventure and their photography, show us the photographic moments you've captured that will inspire our next adventure... in the "Natural Playground."

VentureThere.com is a member of USA TODAY's Travel Alliance, covering adventure sports, active travel and the outdoor lifestyle.