24-hour photo contest for students

Apple has announced the 24-hour Insomnia Photo Festival for students. Only students from accredited U.S. high schools and universities are eligible.

All accepted work gets displayed on Apple's Web gallery. Of these, one prize winner is chosen by popular vote on their site. The top 25 move to an additional round. A second set of winners is selected by world-renowned judges.

Each grand prize winner (there are two) gets a 15" Apple MacBook Pro, a copy of Aperture (Apple's new photo software) and an 80GB iPod. Second-place finishers get an 80GB iPod each. Third through 10th place finishers get a copy of Aperture.

Since this is the contest's first year, terms are a bit vague. If I read it correctly, it's possible for a uber-grand-prize winner (wins both pop and judged) to get double goodies and a double-10th to score two copies of the software. I'm guessing they'll fix this glitch.

Those interested must register BEFORE the contest begins at 5 p.m. Eastern time on Friday. Contestants have 24 hours to submit their best shot.

Contestants must basically shoot images by stock photo standards (releases required, no trademarks, etc.). Read the rules. Winners give Apple the right to use winning images forever without reimbursement in relation to the contest. Although it doesn't say it specifically, it looks like students retain all other rights without limitation.

Good luck.

Enough for now,