SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Spectators at the Blakeley Civil War battle reenactment activities can kick up their thrills a notch by competing in a photography contest sponsored by Historic Blakeley State Park and Calagaz, an area print and camera shop.

A cash award of $100 will go to the best photograph of the contest with other prizes for the top three places in categories of action shots, military camp scenes, and interaction of Civil War reenactors with visitors as they demonstrate war and camp conditions of 1865.

All photographs must be shot at either the April 4 or April 5 activities at Blakeley Park and upon entry become the property of the park for its use in promoting future Civil War or park activities. There is no fee for entering the contest.

“The period uniforms and weapons of the Civil War reenactors make for such exciting photography that Calagaz and Blakeley initiated the contest this year,” said Jo Ann Flirt, park director.

“With new technology of digital cameras and the high-quality printing now available from industry leaders like Calagaz, rank amateurs and young photographers can capture superb images. The digital camera of today is to amateurs what Mathew Brady was to wartime photography with his Civil War plate glass negatives,” she said.

A civilian exhibitor is scheduled to demonstrate the technique of wet plate photography of the Civil War era during the Blakeley event. More than 200 “soldiers” including infantry, artillery, cavalry and others have already registered for the event being sponsored by Blakeley Park this year in honor of Baldwin County’s bicentennial observation.

Other prizes include for first-place winners: a 16-by-20-inch canvas print from Calagaz; second-place winners: two tickets for the Blakeley Delta boat tour in August; third-place winners: four tickets to the Blakeley Bluegrass Festival Oct. 3.

Entries must be a minimum size of 8-by-10 or a maximum of 8-by-12, glossy finish and should not be matted. Entries must be received by April 20. Winners will be announced at the May 2 Calagaz Family Fun Day.

For complete rules and a schedule of the events go to www.blakeleypark.com.