Open Photography Contests & Competitions 2026

Categories: 1. Conservation Photography (4 categories) These focus on photojournalism and the human impact on nature. Note: These are the only categories that allow images of non-wild animals (e.g., in recovery centers, farms) or dead animals. Thematic Series: A 6-image series with a common conservation theme. Single Image: One image with a clear conservation message. Spain: One image with a conservation message taken specifically in Spain. Told by Women: A 6-image series portraying conservation by a female photographer (allows a more intimate or broader approach). 2. Special Categories (2 categories) Strict requirement: Images must have been taken during trips or hides organized by Wildwatching Spain after Jan 1, 2022. The Beauty of the Planet: Global wildlife. The Beauty of Spain: Spanish wildlife. 3. Thematic Categories (6 categories) Strictly for wild and free subjects. Mammals, Birds (no nests allowed), Oceans (underwater), and Other Animals. Landscape: Natural environments and paradises. Creative: Abstract, original visions of nature focusing on color, shape, and texture. 4. Additional Awards (3 categories) Young Photographer: Ages 16–18. Child Photographer: Under 15. People’s Choice: Public voting from a jury-selected shortlist. Prizes (Total value ~€17,000) Overall Winners (New for 2026): One winner from the Conservation block and one from the Thematic block receive an extra €500 cash on top of their category prize. Category Prizes: Conservation (all 4): Winner €1,500 cash | Runner-up €500 cash. Special (Planet): €1,000 Wildwatching Spain travel voucher. Special (Spain): €500 Wildwatching Spain travel voucher. Mammals: Sony camera equipment (value >€1,700). Landscape: OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II with 12-45mm lens (value €1,549) + €100 shipping. Birds: €500 voucher for Fotografiarte. Other Animals: €400 cash. Creative: €300 voucher for FotoRuano + €200 cash. Oceans: OM SYSTEM compact waterproof camera (value €479) + €100 shipping. Young / Child: €300 in photography books + €100 shipping. People’s Choice: €300 Pangea gift card + €100 shipping. Online submission of digital images via the website. Each entrant may submit a maximum of 30 photographs and is free to choose the distribution of the images among the categories. Image requirements: JPG format and must contain their metadata or Exif data. This data is automatically encrypted and cannot be seen by the judges at any time, so it is not a problem if the metadata includes the authorship of the image. Images must be submitted without frames, signatures or watermarks. IMPORTANT: the JPG image must have a minimum of 3000 pixels on its longest side and a resolution of 300dpi. The maximum size limit for each image is 100Mb. Entrants may, at the time of submitting their photographs to the competition, also submit the RAW file of each image. This is voluntary at the time of submitting the JPG, but entrants might choose otro do so, in order to avoid having to submit the RAW if their entry is chose for the final phase of judging (moment in which, submitting the RAW image becomes compulsory). OFFICIAL WEBSITE

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