The third annual student photo contest, Images of Aging, where wrinkles and bifocals is officially underway.

Through February, students may submit their own photos to Images of Aging contest blog under three categories: Black and White, Color and Mobile photos.

The event is sponsored by the Pruett Gerontology Center, the Art and Design Department and The Learning Studio and judged by faculty within the departments. Winners and participants of the contest will attend a luncheon where prizes will be awarded.

Asia Todd, junior multimedia major from Chiang Mai, Thailand, participated in last year’s contest, taking first place in the Color category. She said finding “models” for her photograph was little labor.

“I didn’t go on a hunt for the elderly,” she said. “I followed my parents around in their ministry last Christmas and came across elderly men and women in their own environment. I think that the key to finding good pictures is to capture the beauty that is naturally there, instead of trying to set up a big studio and synthesize it.”

With winter break on the horizon, students plan to use this time in gathering photos for the contest. Todd says she will be prepared to capture any photo-entry moment during the holidays by printing out model release forms to carry as she travels.

Any student enrolled in the 2012-2013 school year is eligible to participate. Entry rules and release forms can be found on the Images of Aging blog, http://blogs.acu.edu/imagesofaging/. February 8, 2013 will be the last day to enter photos.

Todd suggested those participating to surround themselves with interesting things to come by interesting photos. She encouraged students to take part in this contest so as to learn to step out and find those ‘interesting things’ in God’s creation.

“I think that wrinkles can tell stories.”