Students of NIU, break out the crazy costumes because Halloween is less than three weeks away. Because we love photographs so much, Sweeps is kicking off a Best Halloween Photo contest.

As an incentive to enter the contest, the winner will receive a five pound bag of candy and a random assortment of other Halloween goodies. This way, you can earn all your Halloween candy without the trouble of swiping some kid’s trick-or-treating bag.

There are two ways to enter. Digital photos can be sent by e-mail to [email protected]. Developed photos can be brought into the Campus Life Building, Suite 130, to be left for the Sweeps editors. Photos are due no later than 5 p.m. Nov. 2.

Photos should include a short caption that describes what’s going on and identifies everyone in the picture. Also tell us what you’re dressed up as, just in case the costume is so horrible we can’t figure it out. Your entry must include your name, major, year in school, e-mail address and phone number. Please include the first and last name, year and major of anyone in the photo. Photos without the correct information will be disqualified.

By submitting an entry, you agree to let your submission be printed in the Northern Star. The photo must be printable. Please do not submit drunken and/or nude photos, as we won’t be able to publish them. Star employees and their family and friends are not eligible to win.

Criteria for the Best Halloween Photo are as follows:

Creativity – Is it just a boring posed shot or is something interesting happening here? Is it anything we’ve ever seen before?

Uniqueness – How unique is your costume? Are you just throwing a sheet over your head with two eyeholes cut out or is your costume frightening? Funny? Bonus points if you created it yourself.

Lighting – Bad lighting means bad photo. If we can’t see what’s happening in the picture, there’s no point in judging it.

Photos don’t have to be taken within the realms of NIU; they can be from anywhere. A haunted house out in another town, a Halloween party at your house or trick or treating around town are all possibilities.

Students like freshman marketing major Matt Frer have a costume and other plans in mind.

“I’m going to dress up as a French maid. I thought I’d start walking around DeKalb and make my way over to Sycamore,” he said. “Hopefully it’s not drafty.”

Dozens of photo opportunities arise from student Halloween plans such as these. Grab your camera and start snapping your way to that candy prize.