Proudly supported by Olympus, The Shutterbug Award is one of the most prestigious awards for up and coming photographers in Australia and now Internationally. This is its fifth year.

The Shutterbug Award is a unique competition that promotes the work of amateur, passionate enthusiasts and emerging photographers. It gives all photographers, at all levels, the chance for their work to be seen, have their work published and win some great cameras from Olympus.

Prizes

Australian Finalists share in a prize pool of $10,000 including Olympus Camera Kits, Gallery prints and their images published in The Shutterbug Award book.

The International Winner receives:

The new Olympus XZ-1 Camera with Zuiko f1.8 Lens valued at $499.00.

They also have their winning images published in The Shutterbug Award 2011 book.

The International Winner will be sent two copies of the book with a combined value of $400.00

Shutterbug will only accept entries from photographers who are considered non-professional i.e. Photographers who make less than $20,000 per annum from photography.

Theme

Photographers are asked to submit a series of photographs with the same theme.

The theme of the series is at the Photographer’s discretion, but each image in the series must be clearly linked by that chosen theme.

The minimum number in the series is 15 images and the maximum is 30 images.

There is no limit to the number of photo series’ submitted by any one photographer, but only one series will be selected for exhibition and publishing.

Digital submissions only

Shutterbug accepts digital submissions only (Prints or negatives need to be scanned and converted to digital files).

Files can be uploaded to our secure site for judging. Preferred size is 3600 pixels on the longest size. Files need to be in JPEG Format.

Photoshop and similar software can be used to any degree the photographer would like, but no borders.  The images may not show the name of a photographer.

Entry Fee

The Entry Fee is A$30.00 for the first series entered. A $10.00 for each additional series entered.

Competition Link / Set Reminder

The “Prix de la Photographie, Paris” (Px3) strives to promote the appreciation of photography, to discover emerging talent, and introduce photographers from around the world to the artistic community of Paris. Winning photographs from this competition are displayed in Paris and published in the high-quality, full-color Px3 Annual Book.

Categories

Advertising

Photojournalism

Book

Book Proposals

Fine Art

Nature

Portraiture

Awards

Px3 Photographer of the Year
Both professional and non-professional photographers compete for the top award, the Px3 Photographer of the Year and 3,000 Euros. The winner’s work is publicized internationally, receives the spotlight at all events, is exhibited in Paris, and published in the Px3 Annual Book.

Px3 Best New Talent (Non-Professionals and Students Only)
Non-professional photographers compete for the Px3 Best New Talent Award and 2,000 Euros. The winner’s work is publicized and exhibited in Paris and published in the Px3 Annual Book.

Certificates in all Categories
All 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from both the professional and non-professional categories will receive a Px3 certificate, personalized press release, and a Px3 winner’s logo for professional purposes.

Honorable Mentions
Px3 judges award several Certificates of Honorable Mention to both professional and non-professional entries to acknowledge talent as they deem fit.

Public Choice Awards
39,481 votes were tallied in the first annual Prix de la Photographie Paris. The names of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Subcategory Public Choice Winners are listed in the Px3 Annual Book.

Fees

Entry fees cover the cost of administration and promotion.
To make Px3 globally accessible, Px3 discounts entry fees for certain countries.

Professional Photographers
$30 for each photograph entered
$50 for each series (2-5 images with a unifying theme) or book
Same photograph or series, additional category: $25 per category

Non-professional and Student Photographers
$20 per photograph entered
$40 for each series (2-5 images with a unifying theme)
Same photograph or series, additional category: $15 per category

Competition Link / Set Reminder

The renowned photographic competition, the Leica Oskar Barnack Award will be announced for the 32nd time in the year 2011. Entries (professional photographers only) for the Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2011 will be accepted as online submissions between 15 January and 1 March 2011. Entries for the Leica Oskar Barnack NEWCOMER Award are open to all (prospective) photographers who are aged 25 years and under.

An international jury awards the Leica Oskar Barnack Award / Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award to photographers whose unerring powers of observation capture and express the relationship between man and the environment in the most graphic form in a sequence of a minimum of 10 up to a maximum of 12 images. Entry submissions must be a self-contained series of images in which the photographer perceives and documents the interaction between man and the environment with acute vision and contemporary visual style – creative, groundbreaking and unintrusive.
This year, the value of the competition prizes has been increased. For the first time, the winner of the “Leica Oskar Barnack Award will receive a Leica M9 camera and a lens worth 9,500 euros in addition to a cash prize of 5,000 euros. For the “Newcomer Award” the prize has also been increased. The winner will receive a Leica M9 camera and a lens.

The “Leica Oskar Barnack Award” competition is open to all professional photographers. To take part, participants must send in a series of photographs taken in 2010 or long-term projects containing at least one photo from 2010.

The “Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award” competition is open to any (prospective) professional photographer aged 25 or under at the time of entering. To take part, participants must send in a series of photographs taken in 2010 or long-term projects containing at least one photo from 2010.

Competition Link / Set Reminder

The competition opened on 1 February 2011, with a prize fund of up to £20,000. The British Wildlife Photography Awards in 2011 are your chance to win a prestigious photography award and cash prize of £5,000.

The British Wildlife Photography Awards were established in 2009. The key aims of the Awards are to:

• Recognise the talents of photographers practicing in the UK, while at the same time highlight the great wealth and diversity of Britain’s natural history.
• Celebrate British wildlife, in all its beauty and diversity, through a collection of inspirational photographs.
• Showcase the very best of our nature photography to a wide audience and engage all ages with evocative and powerful imagery.
• Encourage discovery, exploration, conservation and enjoyment of our natural heritage.
• Raise awareness about British biodiversity, species and habitats.

Winners and commended entrants will have their work showcased in a national touring exhibition and in a stunning book published by AA Publishing. Now in its third year these awards celebrate and recognise the talents of photographers of all nationalities practicing in the UK, while at the same time, highlight the great wealth and diversity of British natural history.

Prizes

Adult Competition

The title of British Wildlife Photographer is given to the photographer whose single image is judged to be the most striking and memorable of all the entries. The photographer of the overall winning image is awarded a first prize of £5,000.

Adult categories

The prizes for each of the adult categories will have a total value around £1,000. Each category prize includes: (or equivalent)

• Canon PowerShot G12 Camera
• Canon Pixma Pro 9000 MK II Printer
• RSPB Binoculars

Video award

Canon LEGRIA HF S21 High Definition Digital Camcorder (value £969.00).

Young Awards

There are three special awards to encourage participation by young people, schools and youth community groups.

• Young British Wildlife Photographer (Up to 11 years old) £300
• Young British Wildlife Photographer (12 to 18 years old) £500
• The British Wildlife Photography Award – for Schools, Youth and Community Groups is given to the group submitting the portfolio judged to be the most memorable, striking and best set of themed images. The prize for the best school youth or community group is Serif Design Suite – value £3,000. A copy of the Serif Design Suite for each of the contributors (£149)* which contains five software titles covering; graphics, photo editing, digital video, DTP and web design. The school or organisation will receive a 50 user license on the Serif Design Suite (£2,199) and a Digital Video camera (£149)
  *Maximum of five individual copies of the software for the winning entrants.

Serif is the publisher of the award-winning software range that includes PagePlus ®, PhotoPlus™, DrawPlus ™, WebPlus™, AlbumPlus™, MoviePlus™, PanoramaPlus™ and Digital Scrapbook Artist ® and more. Founded in 1987 with the aim to develop low-cost alternatives to high-end publishing and graphics packages, Serif has been repeatedly praised for its powerful yet easy-to-use software which enables businesses, educational establishments, and ordinary PC users to achieve professional-quality results whatever their level of experience.

Categories

Animal Portraits

We are looking for an image that captures the character or spirit of the subject in an imaginative way. We want to be able to get a sense of the animal’s “personality” from the photograph. All species will be considered.

Animal Behaviour

Entries can show unusual, interesting, amusing or remarkable behaviour being exhibited, or depict something familiar in a new light. Show the judges something they don’t know or haven’t seen before, or invite them to look again at what they thought they already knew.

Urban Wildlife

Wherever we live, wildlife can be found alongside us in our towns and cities. We are looking for an original image that shows wild animals or plants within an urban or predominantly man-made environment.

Hidden Britain

Reveal to us the secret universe that is life on a small scale – a life that is all around us but rarely seen. This category is for invertebrate species only. Category sponsored by Buglife.

Coast and Marine

We are looking for an imaginative photograph that reveals the nature or behaviour of marine wildlife, or creates a sense of place or occasion. Marine and maritime species near the sea, underwater, at the sea shore and coastal zone only will be considered. Category sponsored by WWF.

Wildlife in my Backyard

Gardens represent a vital habitat for some of our most threatened species. Whether it is common or rare, we want to see stunning photos of wildlife in your garden, back yard, balcony, or any space where you, your friends or family do something to encourage nature. Category sponsored by the Countryside Council for Wales.

Habitat

We are looking for an imaginative and original image that powerfully portrays the importance of the environment and ecosystems that sustain the wildlife within them. This includes animals, plants and the relationships between them; for example a butterfly feeding on nectar or rooks roosting in a tree. Category sponsored by Countryside Jobs Service.

Living Landscape: Connectivity

Category sponsored by The Wildlife Trusts. Being connected to the natural world is great for our health, our happiness and for the future. All are inextricably linked. And so The Wildlife Trusts are working on a recovery plan for nature. It’s their vision to create a resilient environment; one rich in wildlife and great for people. What they call ‘A Living Landscape’.

This category is purposefully open to interpretation to encourage creativity and fresh and imaginative responses. Connectivity might be physical, sensory, seasonal or otherwise. We are keen to see how this category captures the imagination and how connectivity within the UK landscape is defined. Positive images illustrating how habitats, species, communities and individuals are all connected, and interconnect, within our natural environment, both in rural and urban settings, are encouraged. Whether images capture an imaginative or purely narrative approach; are simple or complex, the winning image will be breath-taking, mesmerising and powerful.

Some typical (and not exclusive) examples:

• Bee species pollinating crops directly links wildlife with the economy
• Salt marshes acting as a buffer between land and seas
• Hedgerows play a part in keeping the countryside ‘stitched’ together
• Estuaries are the connection for freshwater species with marine life
• Rivers connecting streams to the sea
• Sensory connections: the sights and sounds of everyday nature
• Children playing in a meadow, part of a bigger habitat restoration scheme
• Close up of a wall or pavement, showing the life these physical connections harbour eg lichens, invertebrates
• Practical conservation volunteers at work, the birth of a new habitat where people come to connect with nature
• Delight at witnessing a grandchild’s wonderment during their first wildlife encounter
• School parties connecting within their local community green spaces
• Symbolic images that epitomize our connection with nature and our landscape

British Seasons

For this category we are looking for a stunning portfolio of images. The portfolio needs to portray British wildlife at its very best in each of the four seasons; Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, or a portfolio of up to four from just one season. Each image needs to capture the essence of each season together with the wildlife subject, from any British location. The portfolio must work together as a set, themes are also encouraged. Each portfolio can either be four seasons or a single season. Category sponsored by RSPB.

Documentary Series

The documentary award can be a sequence of images of any British wildlife, conservation or environmental issue. The judges will be looking for innovation in story telling, within a portfolio of up to six images.

Wildlife on Video

The judges will be looking for the most inspirational and dynamic sequence (up to a minute) which clearly illustrates the unique power of video as a medium for capturing British wildlife. Any aspect of British wildlife will be considered. Category sponsored by Canon.

Some typical (and not exclusive) examples of short films:

• Creating a memorable portrait of a British wildlife species
• Highlighting a specific conservation issue related to British wildlife
• Showing unusual or remarkable behaviour
• About an individual animal such as a local fox who visits your garden or a special rescue case
• On a specific area or reserve that is special to you

Competition Fees

Credits (£5 per credit)

Competition Link / Set Reminder

The Nature’s Best Photography concept began with simple yet dynamic goals: to celebrate the beauty and diversity of nature through the art of photography, and to use this far-reaching medium as a creative tool for encouraging greater public interest in outdoor enjoyment and conservation stewardship.

The annual Windland Smith Rice International Awards program evolved from this ambitious mission to become one of the most highly-respected and visually compelling nature photography competitions in the world. More than 25,000 entries are received and judged each year in the International Awards.

Finalists will be published in Nature’s Best Photography magazine. A selection of winners of each category and Highly Honored images will be on display in an exhibition at the Smithsonian.

Entry Fee: $25

Prizes

Prizes vary from contest to contest, but if your image is selected it will be published in their high-quality print magazine (sold at the Smithsonian) and you will receive exposure if you are selected to be featured in the Smithsonian’s website, on Pixcetera, MSNBC, New York Daily News, or Discovery photo galleries, as well as Audubon, Divers Alert Network, and others. Also, if you are a category winner or highly honored in a category of the Windland Smith Rice International Awards competition, your image may be enlarged and framed and displayed in their annual photo exhibition in one of the most prestigious and most highly-visited museums in the world.

Categories

AFRICAN WILDLIFE: Wild animals (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, etc.) photographed on the African continent including Madagascar and offshore island groups, taken in their natural habitat.

(SPONSORED BY THE AFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION)

ANIMAL ANTICS: Wildlife in humorous or surprising situations.

ART IN NATURE: Naturally occurring artistic compositions (colors, forms, textures, etc.) in nature.

BIRDS:Wild birds in native habitats displaying plumage, mating rituals, nesting, feeding, or other behaviors.

CONSERVATION PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR: Nominate a CPY recipient at www.naturesbestphotography.com/competition_conservation.php

ENDANGERED SPECIES: Plants or animals that are listed as Vunerable, Threatened, or Endangered species by the IUCN. Please visit www.redlist.org to confirm the endangered status of a species before submitting to this category.

LANDSCAPE: Dramatic scenes and unusual perspectives of wild places providing expansive views.

OCEANS: The fascinating world of the sea: tide pools, coral reefs, marine life, waves, etc. Photos taken above the ocean’s surface, related to ocean life or landscapes, are also welcome.

(SPONSORED IN MEMORY OF OCEAN EXPLORER AND SUPPORTER, STEVE DROGIN)

PEOPLE IN NATURE: People enjoying the outdoors: Adventurers, backpackers, kayakers, divers, hikers, climbers, sitting around the campfire, caving, skiing, running, skydiving, etc., in natural settings.

PLANT LIFE: Flowers, trees, and other flora in natural habitat. May include wide vistas.

POWER OF NATURE: Dramatic images that illustrate the power of nature, from hurricanes, tornadoes, storms, flooding, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and more. We are also looking for the aftermath, displaying what is left after these natural events, to the rescue, cleanup, and recovery that follows. We may also select a sequence of submitted images that cover the entire story behind a particular event.

(SPONSORED BY THE HOWARD G.BUFFETT FOUNDATION)

SMALL WORLD SPECTACULARS: Shots of plants, animals, and miniature landscapes taken with close-up lenses.

WILDLIFE: Wild animals (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, etc.—Birds are a separate category, see above) photographed within their natural habitat anywhere in the world outside of Africa.

(NOTE: No captive animals allowed in this category.)

YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR: An entry of up to 20 photographs may be submitted by photographers 18 years of age or younger. Each individual image in a youth submission must fit within the contest categories, without exception. NOTE: Please be sure to include your date of birth and current age on your entry form.

(SPONSORED BY BROOKE MORROW FOR ST. MARY’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL)

ZOOS & AQUARIUMS: Images may include animal portraits, behavior, zookeepers working with animals, visitors (may require model release), special events, etc. All photographs must have been taken at zoos and aquariums belonging to and acredited by American Zoo Assocaiton (AZA) or the World Association of Zoos & Aquaria (WAZA). Please check the complete AZA list at www.aza.org and the complete WAZA list at www.waza.org.

Competition Link / Set Reminder

Now in its 47th year, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is an international showcase for the very best nature photography. The competition is owned by two UK institutions that pride themselves on revealing and championing the diversity of life on Earth – the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine.

Being accepted into this competition is something that wildlife photographers, worldwide, aspire to. Professionals win many of the prizes, but amateurs succeed, too.

Each year tens of thousands of entries are received and judged by a specially selected expert panel. The winners are announced at an awards ceremony that takes place each October at the Natural History Museum, London.

Prizes

• The overall winner of the title of Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2011 will receive £10,000.
• Each adult category winner will receive £500 and each runner-up will receive £250.
• Special Award winners will receive £1,000 and each runner-up will receive £500.
• The overall winner of the title of Veolia Environnement Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year will receive £500 and attend a day’s tailored masterclass with a leading nature photographer.
• Each young category winner will receive £250 and each runner-up will receive £100.

Closing date for entries: 18 March 2011

To enter the competition, you will need:

• a valid email address
• your credit/debit card details if you are entering the Adult competition
• a broadband internet connection

How to enter

1. Register for your unique entry code in the Adult or Young competition.
2. Login using your unique entry code.
3. Upload your images

Entry fee for the Adult competition is £20.
Entry to the Young competition is free.

Categories

1. Animals in their Environment

Images in the behaviour categories must show how the animal fits into its natural home and must convey a sense of place. Remember, the environment is as important as the animal itself, allowing you to tell a story and reveal more about your subject.

2. Behaviour: Birds

3. Behaviour: Mammals

4. Behaviour: All Other Animals

Images must capture memorable, unusual or interesting behaviour. It is crucial to show genuine behaviour: just ‘looking’ or ‘sitting’ isn’t enough. Judges will look for images with an aesthetic appeal, a unique interest value, and a dramatic action.

5. Underwater World

Images must feature marine or freshwater life taken under water. A combination of interest value and aesthetic appeal is just as important underwater as on land.

6. Animal Portraits

Portraits should capture the unique character or spirit of the animal. Images should be imaginative and convey a sense of intimacy and immediacy.

7. In Praise of Plants and Fungi

Pictures should capture the beauty and importance of plant life in its natural habitat. Judges will be looking for artistic merit and creativity rather than a simple scientific record.

8. Urban Wildlife

Pictures must show wild plants or animals in an obviously urban or suburban environment. Look for subjects on your doorstep and capture images that are unusual, poignant, beautiful or striking compositions.

9. Nature in Black and White

Judges will be looking for skilful use of the black and white medium, where pure graphic quality and a well composed image can often increase the intensity. Dodging, burning and toning are allowed. The subject can be any wild landscape, animal, plant or other living organism.

10. Creative Visions of Nature

Judges will be looking for a well-defined thought process, originality and an attempt to convey a deeper understanding of nature and wildlife through a conceptual vision of the world. Images should be surprising, artistic, perhaps even abstract or ambiguous, but nevertheless executed to exacting standards.

11. Wild Places

This is a category for landscape photographs. Judges will be looking for beautiful light, a true feeling of wildness and a sense of awe. Stitched images and panoramics are allowed.

Special Awards

Wildlife Photojournalist of the Year

This award is for a memorable story told in 6 images. All subjects covered by other categories in the competition are eligible, whether featuring animal behaviour or environmental issues (positive or negative). The story should work without the aid of words and will be judged on the picture quality as well as the power of the story itself.

Eric Hosking Award

This award encourages and rewards the talents of young photographers between the ages of 18 to 26. You must submit a portfolio of 10 images that you think represents your very best work.

Gerald Durrell Award for Endangered Wildlife

This important award raises awareness of endangered species through photographic excellence. Species (both animals and plants) photographed must be categorised in the 2010 IUCN Red List as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or near threatened at an international or national level (if the latter, please supply details). Images must be memorable and capture the unique character or spirit of the subject.

Visit www.iucnredlist.org
Supported by www.arkive.org

One Earth Award

Photography plays a critical role in conservation, and this award seeks to highlight conservation issues or actions. Don’t merely rely on the shock value of your subject: judges will be looking for genuine photographic merit. Don’t forget to focus on positive messages as well as negative ones. Images can be graphic or symbolic, but must be thought provoking, memorable and encourage respect or concern for our natural world.

Veolia Environnement Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Images must show wild animals, plants or landscapes. The judges will be looking for original, beautiful or striking shots rather than rare or exotic subjects. There are 3 age groups: 10 years and under; 11-14 years; and 15-17 years.

Competition Link / Set Reminder

The fourth annual competition has a deadline of November 30th 2010.

Uniquely among major photographic competitions, all entrants can receive professional feedback on their entries – after the judging of the competition is completed and on request.

The competition is open to everyone, amateurs and professionals alike. Entries are welcome from any country in the world. There are no restrictions on the type of camera you use, or the techniques you use to produce your final image.

You have to pay a fee to enter. But unlike free competitions, we provide feedback on request (after the judging), we have a huge range of cash and other prizes available to winners and to runners-up, together with the unique prize of having a photograph exhibited in our special exhibition at Kew Gardens.

Being a finalist of International Garden Photographer of the Year will not only bring you a prize – it could be a life-changing event!

We are embarking on a series of events that will help you improve your photography. Some of these we are offering as prizes. Find out more about the prizes.

The judges will select around 100 finalists whose photographs will be printed to exhibition standard and planned to be shown at a major exhibition at Kew Gardens, London in the summer of 2011, with substantial press coverage. All finalists will receive an invitation to the private view. The mounting of the exhibition is subject to prevailing circumstances and will be confirmed before the end of 2010.

One finalist will win the title ‘International Garden Photographer of the Year’ and an under 16 finalist will win ‘Young Garden Photographer of the Year’.

Each category will have a winner and two runner-up prizes. An additional prize will be awarded for the best portfolio and there will be two portfolio runners-up prizes.

All finalists and commended photographers will have their photographs shown on the Garden Photographer of the Year website during 2010.

The competition costs £10 to enter. You can pay in British Pounds, Euros, or US Dollars.

For £10 you can enter up to 4 photographs in one of the categories. If you wish to enter another category, then this costs an additional £10 for up to 4 photographs . You can enter as many photographs in as many categories as you like.

Or you may choose to enter a portfolio of 6 themed photographs. This costs £20 per category entered. You can enter as many portfolios as you like.
So you can, for example, buy a portfolio entry for ‘Plant Portraits’. You can then, if you wish, buy a second portfolio entry for ‘Plant Portraits’, or a portfolio entry for a different category- it is entirely your decision.
Note that portflio photographs will not be judged as single images. They will only be judged as one of six themed photographs.

Categories

Plant Portraits
Achieving great images of plants and flowers requires skill, passion and commitment. This category celebrates the ephemeral beauty of the plant – from seed to compost…

Garden Views
Visiting a garden is a great day out for many of us. We can stand and admire the work of gardeners who have dedicated themselves to creating a personal paradise…

Wildlife in the Garden
In a world where natural habitats are being depleted, gardens are a haven for wildlife. The wild creatures that use our gardens can become familiar companions…

People in the Garden
Gardens are for enjoyment – even if that enjoyment sometimes means hard work! Kids love to run around, while many of us will enjoy the round of the seasons…

Wildflowers
Wild plants that were once widespread amongst fields, meadows and woods are now extremely rare and some have become extinct in the wild. … read more

Trees
We are continuing the very popular category of Trees. We are celebrating the tree in all its diverse forms. From the gnarled old oak to the mighty redwood…

4 Seasons
We have seasonal competitions running throughout the year – winter spring summer and autumn…

Prizes

Winners’ Prizes

Best image by photographer with highest number of points in the competition
* £5,000
* The title “International Garden Photographer of the Year”
* Extensive press coverage.
* Copy of the book ‘International Garden Photographer of the Year Collection 4′ – subject to publishing contract.
* Your photograph featured as a central key fine art print at Kew Gardens, Lacock Abbey and Wakehurst Place
* A fine art print of your photograph to take home

Royal Photographic Society Gold Award for Best Portfolio
* £2,000
* Royal Photographic Society Gold medal
* Royal Photographic Society one year membership
* Extensive press coverage.
* Your portfolio featured as fine art prints at Kew Gardens, Lacock Abbey and Wakehurst Place
* Copy of the book ‘International Garden Photographer of the Year Collection 4′ – subject to publishing contract.
2010 4 Seasons category winner
* £500
* Copy of book ‘ International Garden Photographer of the Year Collection 3′
*To be confirmed:
Your photograph featured at Kew Gardens, Lacock Abbey and Wakehurst Place and other venues

Best in Category: Plant Portraits*
* £500
* Extensive press coverage.
* Copy of the book ‘International Garden Photographer of the Year Collection 4′ – subject to publishing contract.
* Your photograph featured as a central key fine art print at Kew Gardens, Lacock Abbey and Wakehurst Place plus other venues
* Fine-art canvas print from Photobox up to a value of £60
Best in Category: Garden Views*
* £500
* Extensive press coverage.
* Copy of the book ‘International Garden Photographer of the Year Collection 4′ – subject to publishing contract.
* Your photograph featured as a central key fine art print at Kew Gardens, Lacock Abbey and Wakehurst Place plus other venues
* Fine-art canvas print from Photobox up to a value of £60
Best in Category: Wildlife in the Garden*
:* £500
* Extensive press coverage.
* Copy of the book ‘International Garden Photographer of the Year Collection 4′ – subject to publishing contract.
* Your photograph featured as a key image at Kew Gardens, Lacock Abbey and Wakehurst Place plus other venues
* Fine-art canvas print from Photobox up to a value of £60

Best in Category: People in the Garden*
* :£500
* Extensive press coverage.
* Copy of the book ‘International Garden Photographer of the Year Collection 4′ – subject to publishing contract.
* Your photograph featured as a central key fine art print at Kew Gardens, Lacock Abbey and Wakehurst Place plus other venues
* Fine-art canvas print from Photobox up to a value of £60

Best in Category: Wildflowers*
* :£500
* Calumet voucher to the value of £100
* Extensive press coverage.
* Copy of the book ‘International Garden Photographer of the Year Collection 4′ – subject to publishing contract.
* Your photograph featured as a central key fine art print at Kew Gardens, Lacock Abbey and Wakehurst Place plus other venues
* Fine-art canvas print from Photobox up to a value of £60

Best in Category: Trees*
* £500
* Calumet voucher to the value of £100
* Extensive press coverage.
* Copy of the book ‘International Garden Photographer of the Year Collection 4′ – subject to publishing contract.
* Your photograph featured as a central key fine art print at Kew Gardens, Lacock Abbey and Wakehurst Place plus other venues
* Fine-art canvas print from Photobox up to a value of £60
*Best Single Image would also be a Category winner – total: £5000

Runner-up Prizes

Category second
* £100
* An inscribed copy of the book ‘Better Plant and Garden Photography’ by the IGPOTY team
* Your photograph featured as a key image at Kew Gardens, Lacock Abbey and Wakehurst Place plus other venues.
* Press coverage
* Free Photobook from Photobox

Category third
* An inscribed copy of the book ‘Better Plant and Garden Photography’ by the IGPOTY team
* Your photograph featured as a key image at Kew Gardens, Lacock Abbey and Wakehurst Place plus other venues
* Press coverage

Portfolio second place
* Royal Photographic Society Silver Medal
* Press coverage
*Copy of the book ‘International Garden Photographer of the Year Collection 4′ – subject to publishing contract.
* Your photograph featured as a key image at Kew Gardens, Lacock Abbey and Wakehurst Place plus other venues

Portfolio third place
* Royal Photographic Society Bronze Medal
* Press coverage
* Copy of the book ‘International Garden Photographer of the Year Collection 4′ – subject to publishing contract.
* Your photograph featured as a key image at Kew Gardens, Lacock Abbey and Wakehurst Place plus other venues

Competition Link / Set Reminder

All photographers, amateur and professional, are invited to submit their work for the 2009 International Garden Photographer of the Year.

Building on the success of 2008, International Garden Photographer of the Year offers photographers the opportunity to win in excess of £20,000 cash and equipment as well as international exposure in an exhibition at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The Award is open to all photographers who are invited to submit works within seven categories: Wildlife in the Garden; Plant Portraits; Garden Views; People in the Garden; the Edible Garden; Trees and World Botanic Gardens. There is also an award for the Young Garden Photographer of the Year for budding photographers under 16 years old.

The competition is open to everyone and entries are welcome from across the world. For a nominal fee, participants can enter up to four single images in any one category or a themed portfolio of six images into the Portfolio category.

Photographers can enter as many times as they like. All entries are made online. After the closing date at the end of January 2009, the international panel of judges will select the top 100 works for display in an outdoor exhibition at Kew Gardens. Photographers entering a set of six themed images can also win the prestigious Best Portfolio Award.

The 2008 Garden Photographer of the Year was won by an Australian photographer Claire Takacs for her picture of the Japanese, Kenrokuen Gardens. This evocative photograph of the famous Japanese gardens in a flurry of snowflakes was selected from the Garden Views category and won Claire £5,000 for the Best Single Image. Her fellow winners included Henrique Souto from Portugal and Fergus Gill as the Young Garden Photographer of the Year.

The 2009 competition has the following categories;
- Plant Portraits
- Garden Views
- People in the Garden
- Wildlife in the Garden
- The Edible Garden
- Trees
- World Botanic Gardens (2009 special theme)

The exhibition will form part of the 250th Anniversary of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Since its inception in 1759 by Princess Augusta, Kew has grown in size, charm and importance and is celebrated as a World Heritage Site. With over 40 historically important structures; five great glasshouses; 300 acres of tranquil landscape; and the best preserved and studied collection of plants in the world. RBG Kew is a highly prestigious venue for this international competition.

Closing date for submissions is 31st January 2009.

Competition Link / Set Reminder

Celebrate the world outside…
vistas, landscapes, adventures, the big beyond.

Prizes
AMATEUR CONTEST (NGT)
GRAND PRIZE:
A 7-Day trip for two to The Big Island, Hawaii
CATEGORY WINNERS:
One Earth Explorer Shoulder Bag designed by Bogen for National Geographic will be awarded to the winner in each category.

PROFESSIONAL CONTEST (PDN)
First place winner in each category will recieve a Leica V-Lux 1 digital camera and equipment package and a Photoserve portfolio. Winners will also be published in the July PDN issue in print and online.
 
Categories
• SCENICS OF THE NATURAL WORLD
• OUTDOOR SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
• PARKS (ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD)
• ISLANDS AND UNDERWATER
• GARDENS

Entry fee
$12 per entry for amateurs
$35 per entry for professionals

Competition Link / Set Reminder

Calling all “budding” garden photographers. Are you the next Garden Photographer of The Year? With thousands of pounds worth of cash and prizes up for grabs, this is a unique opportunity for entrants to have their photographs exhibited for the four summer months of 2008, alongside some of the world’s most talented photographers in the gardening and landscape world. Several hundred thousand visitors will see the top one hundred pictures at a purpose-built outdoor exhibition at The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London.

We are now calling for entries in the following categories;
My Garden
Garden Views
Plant Portrait
Life in the Garden
Trees

Amateur and professional photographers are encouraged to enter single images or themed portfolios and there will be prizes to suit both types of entry. There will be a new special award for Young Garden Photographer of The Year supported by Chris Collins, the BBC Blue Peter Gardener. Entries for this category are welcomed from young photographers under the age of 16 and are free.

A panel of high-profile industry and art professionals will judge the competition and the winning images will be displayed from May to September 2008.

Previous competition judge Chris Beardshaw – television presenter and garden designer, says: “Our plants and gardens are delightfully dynamic and effervescent – subtly and constantly morphing. So much can be missed at the blink of an eye but, thankfully, it is precisely that precious moment that the camera captures for eternity.”

Competition Link / Set Reminder