The editors of Nature’s Best Photography magazine invite all photographers to enter the 14th Annual Windland Smith Rice International Awards competition for 2010. All winning images will be published in the 2010 Collectors Edition of Nature’s Best Photography magazine. In addtiton, the category Winners and a selection of Highly Honored photographs will be displayed in an exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. The Grand Prize will also win a “Yellowstone in Winter” photo workshop provided by Arizona Highways Photo Workshops. Entries are judged on technical quality, originality, and artistic merit. Enter up to 20 images for an entry fee of $25 US dollars.
CATEGORIES

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.

CAMERA CLUB:
Up to 20 photographs may be submitted as a group entry by a camera club. Each individual image in a camera club submission must fit within one of the contest categories, without exception.

CONSERVATION PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR:
Nominate a CPY recipient

CREATIVE DIGITAL:
Any nature-related image or combination of images that is created and/or manipulated using digital/electronic technology (such as Adobe® Photoshop®). Let your imagination go wild! Please provide the details on all techniques used. EXCEPTION: Panoramic images created by digitally stitching two or more images together may be entered into other categories as appropriate.

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

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES:
Images that document current environmental issues, such as pollution, global warming, loss of habitat, etc.

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.

PEOPLE IN NATURE:
People enjoying the outdoors: backpackers, kayakers, divers, hikers, etc., in natural settings.

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

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

WEATHER:
From dramatic storms to tranquil skies—weather in all its fury and forms. (Tornados, hurricanes, floods, rain, wind, beautiful cloud formations, etc.)

WILDLIFE:
Wild animals (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, etc.—birds are a separate category, see above) photographed in their natural habitat (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.

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 the World Association of Zoos & Aquaria (WAZA). See the complete WAZA list at www.waza.org.

All photographs must accurately reflect the subject matter as it appeared in the viewfinder. Nothing should be added to an image, and aside from dust spots, nothing should be taken away. Normal processing of RAW image files and minor adjustments to color and contrast are acceptable, as is minimal cropping.

Deadline: April 5, 2010

Competition Link / Set Reminder

With a total prize fund exceeding £20,000, plus an eight-week exhibition at the National Theatre and the publication of a full colour book of Best Entries, Take a view will continue to be a desirable annual competition for photographers of all ages for years to come. Britain’s heritage is celebrated by people around the world and entries are welcome from everyone, whether resident in Britain or simply visiting.

There will also be an award for the Young Landscape Photographer of the Year and each of the four main categories has both adult and youth sections.

‘The rich diversity of the British landscape is something that is available to all of us and is ours to enjoy. This competition will provide an on-going platform for capturing images that best symbolise our land and our times, and that will stand as a record of our country.’

Categories

Classic view
We are looking for an image that captures the beauty and variety of the UK landscape. A big view, a view down a valley or along a cliff-side path; a view that looks to the distance; maybe showing the drama of our seasons. Recognisable and memorable; a true classic. All entries must have been taken using a camera with a sufficiently high resolution to allow the image to be reproduced at A4 size or above (at 300 ppi) or scanned from film. We recommend that you use a camera of 4 mega pixels or more. See examples

Living the view
This is a category for images of people interacting with the outdoors – working or playing in the UK landscape. Possible subjects include mountain bikers, kite boarders, walkers, shepherds or even your best friend biting into a sandwich – as long as your picture shows people within their outdoor environment. No close-up portraits please.

Your view
What does the UK landscape mean to you? A stream rushing over pebbles, a foggy day in the Peak District, fish & chips on a deserted beach, you and your friends on your first big summit. Pretty much anything goes, as long as it is in the UK and in the outdoors. Use your imagination, as you have the scope for a very conceptual and personal approach.

Phone view
All images submitted to this category must be taken on a camera phone of 1 mega pixel or more. Other than that, the brief is the same as Your view. Be spontaneous when you are out and about. A key advantage of the camera phone is that it is always with you, so there is plenty of chance to capture the unexpected. We are not able to accept entries directly from phones this year, so images should be downloaded to your computer and entered via the web site.

Prizes

Adult class

The single best image will be chosen by the judges from all four adult categories. The photographer of this image will be awarded the prestigious title, ‘Landscape Photographer of the Year 2009’ and £10,000.

For the images judged to be the best in each of the four categories, there will be a prize of £1000.

For the images judged second in each of the four adult categories, there will be prizes of £500.

Youth class (16 and under)

The photographer, aged 16 or under, who creates the entry chosen by the judges as the single best image, taking into account all four youth categories, will become the Young Landscape Photographer of the Year 2009 and will win £1,000 + a place on a 2-day photography workshop, in the UK, with renowned landscape photographer, Charlie Waite. Payment of the cash element of the prize will be made to the winner’s parent/guardian.

There will be a prize of a place on a 2-day photography workshop, in the UK, with Charlie Waite, for the photographer of the image judged the best in each of the four youth categories.

Entry Fee

Adult entry fees

Up to 1 image:          £7.00
Up to 5 images:        £15.00
Up to 10 images:      £20.00
Up to 15 images:      £25.00

Youth entry fees (16 & under on 15th July 2009)

Up to 15 images:     flat rate of £2.00

Competition Link / Set Reminder

The editors of NATURE’S BEST PHOTOGRAPHY magazine invite all photographers to enter the 2009 NATURE’S BEST PHOTOGRAPHY WINDLAND SMITH RICE INTERNATIONAL AWARDS competition.

More than $15,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded. The winning photographs will be published in the Awards 2009 Collector’s Edition of NATURE’S BEST PHOTOGRAPHY, and may be selected for our annual exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, and displayed in other locations and photo gallery presentations related to the Awards competition. Entries are judged on technical quality, originality, and artistic merit. Enter a TOTAL of up to 20 images for one entry fee ($25 US no foreign checks).

DEADLINE: UPLOAD OR POSTMARK NO LATER THAN MAY 4, 2009

CATEGORIES:
The Nature’s Best Editors reserve the right to move a submission from one category to another as they see fit.
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.
CAMERA CLUB:
Up to 20 photographs may be submitted as a group entry by a camera club. Each individual image in a camera club submission must fit within one of the contest categories, without exception. NOTE: Each individual member can contribute no more than three (3) images to the group submission. The entry will be judged as a portfolio and selected on the overall excellence of the entire group of images. Participating club members are also permitted to submit their own entry (up to 20 images) separate from the Camera Club entry, and may include the same images in both submissions.
CREATIVE DIGITAL:
Any nature-related image or combination of images that is created and/or manipulated using digital/electronic technology (such as Adobe® Photoshop®). Let your imagination go wild! Please provide the details on all techniques used. EXCEPTION: Panoramic images created by digitally stitching two or more images together may be entered into other categories as appropriate.
ENDANGERED SPECIES:
Plants or animals that are listed as endangered species by the IUCN. Please visit www.redlist.org to confirm the endangered status of a species before submitting to this category.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES:
Images that document current environmental issues, such as pollution, global warming, loss of habitat, etc.
INDIGENOUS CULTURES:
People living within their ancient historic communities, practicing their traditional culture: dress, arts/crafts, dance, rituals, hunting/gathering, food preparation, examples of sustainable living, etc.
LANDSCAPE:
Dramatic scenes and unusual perspectives of land 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, are also welcome.
PEOPLE IN NATURE:
People enjoying the outdoors: backpackers, kayakers, divers, hikers, etc., in natural settings.
PLANT LIFE:
Flowers, trees, and other flora in natural habitat. May include wide vistas.
SMALL WORLD SPECTACULARS:
Shots of plants, animals, and miniature landscapes taken with macro lenses.
WEATHER:
From dramatic storms to tranquil skies—weather in all its fury and forms. (Tornados, hurricanes, floods, rain, wind, cloud formations, etc.)
WILDLIFE:
Wild animals (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, etc.—birds are a separate category, see above) photographed in their natural habitat (no captive animals).
YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR:
An entry of up to 20 photographs may be submitted by photographers 18 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.
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 the World Association of Zoos & Aquaria (WAZA). See the complete WAZA list at www.waza.org.

Competition Link / Set Reminder

The Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is beginning its annual search for the best and most astonishing images from around the world, whether they come from the wildest places on Earth or urban gardens. With the bar being raised each year, the 2009 competition promises to be bigger and more inspiring than ever before.

‘This is the greatest and most prestigious competition for wildlife photographers anywhere in the world. It raises the profile of wildlife photography and provokes a wider awareness of wildlife conservation. It is not just professionals who are successful – amateurs of all ages have won awards in the competition many times. In recent years the judges have been particularly impressed by the standard of images being produced by many young people.’ Mark Carwardine (Chairman of the judges)

The winning photographer will be presented with £10,000 at an awards ceremony at the Natural History Museum, London, in October. Each category winner receives £500 and every runner-up £250. Special Award winners receive £1,000.

Info:
online entry fee: £20
postal entry fee: £27 (CDs only)
closing date for online entries: Friday 27 March 2009

Veolia Environnement Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year
If you are 17 years or younger, this is the competition for you. You can enter pictures of any wild animals, plants or landscapes. The judges will be looking for original, beautiful or striking shots rather than rare or exotic subjects. Creatures or places close to home that you know well or have easy access to may be your best subjects.
The three categories are: 10 years and under, 11–14 years, 15–17 years
The winning photographer will receive £500 and a day out with a well-known wildlife photographer. Category winners will receive £250 and runners up £100.

Adult categories
You can enter up to three digital images or scans of transparencies in each of the following categories.

1. Animals in Their Environment
Images in this category must show how the animal fits into its natural home and convey a sense of place. Remember, the environment is as important a part of the picture 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 a 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 dramatic action.

5. The 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. See a list of top ten tips (PDF 1.5MB) for underwater photographers from Project AWARE

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

7. In Praise of Plants
Pictures should capture the beauty, diversity and importance of plant life. The judges will be looking for artistic merit rather than a simple scientific record.

8. Urban and Garden Wildlife
Look for nature on your doorstep, and capture images that are unusual, poignant, beautiful or striking compositions of wild animals or plants in urban or suburban settings. Judges will be looking for uncommonly good images of common subjects.

9. Nature in Black and White
The 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. Sepia tone images are allowed. The subject can be any wild landscape, animal, plant or other living organism.

10. Creative Visions of Nature
Photographs should reveal new ways of seeing natural subjects or scenes, conveying an imaginative, unique or abstract view of wildlife or wild places. Realism takes a back seat in this category – the judges will be looking for artistic vision and true originality. Let your imagination run wild.

11. Wild Places
Images should show scenes that are truly wild and awe-inspiring. But there is much more to it than a breathtaking landscape – the judges will be looking for beautiful light, a true feeling of wilderness and a sense of awe.

Special Awards

Eric Hosking Award
This award encourages and rewards the talents of young photographers aged 18–26. You must submit a portfolio of 10 images you think represents your very best work. Judges will choose five or more images for the winning portfolio.
Prize: £1,000

Gerald Durrell Award for Endangered Wildlife
This highly important award raises our awareness of endangered species through photographic excellence. The images must be memorable and capture the unique character or spirit of the subject.

Species photographed must be categorised in the 2008 IUCN Red List as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or near threatened at an international or national level (if the latter, please supply details).
Prize: £1,000

One Earth Award
Photography plays a critical role in conservation, and this award seeks to highlight conservation issues or actions. Don’t rely on the shock value of your subject – the judges will be looking for genuine photographic merit. Remember 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.
Prize: £1,000

Judges
Mark Carwardine (Chair) zoologist, writer and photographer
Jack Dykinga, landscape photographer
Laurent Geslin, photographer
Chris Gomersall, wildlife photographer
Orsolya Haarberg, nature photographer
Josef (Sepp) Hackhofer, nature photographer
Tim Harris, manager, nature and garden collections, Photoshot
Tony Heald, wildlife photographer
Rosamund Kidman Cox, editor and writer
Jan-Peter Lahall, photographer
Tor McIntosh, picture editor
Vincent Munier, nature photographer
Erik Sampers, photo director, Terre Sauvage
Brian Skerry, marine wildlife photojournalist
Sophie Stafford, editor, BBC Wildlife Magazine

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

Young photographers can put themselves in the frame to win a prestigious national photographic competition for under 19s, which could see their work being showcased at an exclusive awards ceremony in London.

The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2008 (YPA08) is now open to budding photographers who can show off their animal shots to thousands of people.

The competition is offering the winners a host of superb prizes including the opportunity to join the RSPCA on an exclusive photoshoot and top Olympus cameras to ensure many more outstanding images in the future.

Anybody aged under 19 on 1 September 2008 can enter their photographs of any animal, large or small. They can be taken anywhere from a back garden bird table to the savannahs of Africa.

Thousands of youngsters enter the competition each year and another bumper turnout is expected for 2008. The competition is divided into four categories: under 12 years, 12 to 18 years, pet personalities and the Olympus portfolio.

The Olympus portfolio category gives photographers the chance to dazzle the judges with a collection of five images, all with a running theme. The winner will be awarded an Olympus E-420 D-SLR camera and two lenses.

The pet personalities category will return after a successful debut at last year’s awards. The category challenges entrants to take a picture that captures their pet’s unique character and personality. The tough Olympus Mju 1030SW camera – which is waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof and crushproof – will be presented to the category winner.

Joining the panel of judges this year is Jean Hosking, managing director of nature picture agency FLPA, which won the British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies Best Photo Agency Award 2008. The specialist nature agency was founded by Jean’s father Frank Lane more than 50 years ago and now represents more than 250 photographers worldwide.

Jean said: “What a privilege it is to be invited to help judge the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards and to get a chance to see the work of new up and coming animal photographers.”

Prizes
The overall winner will receive an Olympus digital E-420 camera, two lenses, a YPA08 trophy – plus the chance to join the RSPCA on an exclusive photoshoot for the day.
The winner of the Pet Personalities category will receive an Olympus 1030SW.
The Olympus portfolio will reward an individual whose body of work showed consistent quality. Entrants should pick five photographs that display their photography skills and make a great collection of images. One winner will receive an Olympus digital E-420 camera, two lenses and a YPA08 trophy.
The winner of the under 12 years category will win an Olympus SP-570 UZ camera and YPA08 trophy. There will be four runners-up prizes of Olympus FE-350 cameras.
The winner of the 12-18 years category will win an Olympus SP-570 UZ camera and YPA08 trophy. There will be four runners-up prizes of Olympus FE-350 cameras.

The deadline for entries is Monday 1 September 2008.

Competition Link / Set Reminder

HELLO! magazine has launched their inaugural Young Photographers Award as part of their 20th Anniversary celebrations this year.

The award is open to photography students between the ages of 18 to 30 years, and has been devised and developed in conjunction with Nikon and Getty Images Gallery.

“Launched on 7th May 1988, HELLO! was the first celebrity magazine in the UK and is often credited with single-handedly creating the celebrity magazine market, and has remained a dominant force in an increasingly competitive and fast-moving sector. Synonymous with glamour, style and sophistication, HELLO! is passionate about photography, and this is reflected in the quality of our award-winning photo shoots. In celebrating our milestone anniversary, it seems entirely fitting to offer aspiring young photographers the chance to showcase their work and to win that critical first commission. Demand for quality photographic work has never been greater as our culture becomes increasingly dominated by visual imagery.”

Judges:
Judging the Award will be a panel of top photographers, comprising Lorenzo Agius, Mike Daines, Dave Hogan, Penny Lancaster Stewart, Terry O’Neill, Christopher Simon Sykes, Aidan Sullivan, John Swannell, Mark Thompson and former HELLO! editor Ronnie Whelan.

The categories for the competition are as follows:
AT HOME/INTERIORS: An at home/location shoot that conveys the subject’s personality.
REPORTAGE: An open brief to tell a news/feature story, capturing intimate, enlightening and powerful moments.
WEDDINGS & CELEBRATIONS: A well-lit and original study that captures the essence of a special day, whether a wedding, birthday or other milestone event.
BABIES & PARENTHOOD: An intimate and unique study of babies up to 12 months, highlighting the interaction between baby and parent(s).
FASHION: HELLO! is glamour and style! The challenge here is to produce images that reflect the very essence of individual style.

Closing Dates:
Work must be submitted by noon on Friday 27th June 2008.

How to Enter:
Entrants must first register on HELLO’s website. Once registration has been activated, each applicant will be invited to upload up to three complete digital entries per category. Please submit jpegs of no more than 5MB. Each photograph must be accompanied by an explanation detailing when, where and why the photograph was taken in no more than 50 words.

The Prizes:
There will be a winner and a runner-up in each of the five categories. An overall winner and runner-up will then be decided by the judges. The winner will be the entrant whose photograph in the opinion of the judges demonstrates the greatest flair, technique and originality. The judges may also, at their discretion, nominate highly commended entries.
The winner will receive £5000 and have a commissioned shoot published in HELLO! magazine. The runner-up will receive £2500 and have a two day internship with a leading Getty Images photographer in the area of his/her choice i.e. News, Sport, Entertainment or Creative photography. In addition all the category winners will receive a Nikon D40 kit, and the category runners-up will each receive a Nikon Coolpix P60.
The judges will present the prizes at an exhibition of the winning entries at Getty Images Gallery at the end of September 2008.

Copyright:
Entrants will retain copyright in their submitted entries; however, by entering, all entrants give HML, GIG and NUK a worldwide royalty free perpetual licence to edit, publish and use all or segments of each entry in any and all media (including print and online) for publicity and news purposes relating to this competition and to the publicity and promotion of this competition in future years. In particular, all entrants license HML the right to publish their entry on HMC and in print. Where an image is used, the photographer will be credited. Publication of any entry does not necessarily mean that the entrant has won a prize and no consideration shall be due or payable, or compensation awarded, in the event of publication without any prize being awarded.

Competition Link / Set Reminder