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KEEP IT DARK PHOTO CONTEST

Rainbow Bridge Dark skies Truckee Tahoe
Curving road at night with car light trails under a starry sky.

Capture the Night. Protect the Dark.

Nevada County's dark skies are among our region's most remarkable natural resources. From the Milky Way stretching across the Sierra Nevada to quiet moments beneath a canopy of stars, these night skies inspire wonder, creativity, and connection.

The Keep It Dark Photo Contest celebrates the beauty of Nevada County after dark and invites photographers of all ages and skill levels to help tell the story of why our dark skies are worth protecting.

Get Ready to Enter

Whether you're using a professional camera or experimenting with night photography for the first time, now is the perfect time to start capturing Nevada County after dark. 

Beginning June 22, you can start submitting images that showcase the beauty of Nevada County's dark skies.

Timeline

Jun 22 Jul 29 Jul 30 – Aug 12 Aug 13 – 27 Sep 24
Contest Opens Submission Deadline Community Voting Judging Period Awards Reception & Exhibition

Contest Categories

1. Youth Division

Open to photographers ages 18 and under.

Awards:

  • 1st Place
  • 2nd Place
  • 3rd Place
  • 4th Place
  • 5th Place

2. Amateur Division

Open to hobbyist photographers and non-professional photographers.

Awards:

  • 1st Place
  • 2nd Place
  • 3rd Place

3. Professional Division

Open to professional photographers.

Awards:

  • 1st Place
  • 2nd Place
  • 3rd Place
Night sky photos with stars, trees, and a bridge. Contest winners listed.

Northern lights, starry night sky, and twilight lake scenes labeled with contest places.

Starry sky timelapse over cabin.

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Starry night sky over a mountain landscape with city lights below.
Bridge against a starry night sky with visible Milky Way.
Curving road at night with car light trails under a starry sky.
Tent under starry sky with "Love" written in light against a forest background.
Milky Way galaxy over silhouetted trees in a dark night sky.
Rainbow Bridge Dark skies Truckee Tahoe
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EXPLORE THE KEEP IT DARK INITIATIVE

The photo contest is part of the broader Keep It Dark initiative, a community effort to protect Nevada County's dark skies through education, stewardship, and responsible lighting practices.

Learn how residents, businesses, and visitors can help preserve one of our region's most valuable natural resources.

Learn More About Keep It Dark