| Copyright | All participants of the WPGA competitions warrant that their photographs may be reproduced for the purpose of marketing and promoting WPGA contests, in catalogs, posters, postcards, publications, and on the Internet. Such use is granted for not more than two years after the announcement of the awards, and without payment to the photographer or featured models. Photographers will receive photo credits with each use, and will allow WPGA to sub-license their photographs to the press for reproduction in connection with the contest and WPGA exhibitions. |
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| Eligibility | All photographers, professional, amateurs and students, from every country in the world are eligible to participate. Amateurs and professions are not differentiated in the selection and awards process. |
| Finish | 25 October 2009 |
| Entry fee | Entry fees for 3 images is $35 (the minimum of images to be submitted is 3); each additional image is $10. |
FinishedThe theme for this contest is the celebration of the Four Seasons: Spring, Summer, Winter and Autumn. All images should have a seasonal element and be submitted based on the season appropriate to the location in which it was taken. WPGA would like to see images celebrating the seasons -in landscapes, cityscapes, people at work or on holidays, as well as images expressing the impact of the seasons on living conditions. In this sense documentary images are also welcome provided they represent a story related to a specific season. Although documentary can but does not necessarily mean drama and tragedy: it can also relate the joy of a summer camp or the happiness of a good harvest.
Prize: The winner of WPGA The Four Seasons contest will be awarded a paid trip, including lodging, to Nepal, India or Bangladesh, where he will have the chance to work with G.M.B. Akash on a 10-day photographic project to be decided and agreed by both winner and juror. Date and location of the trip will be freely discussed and chosen between juror and the awarded photographer. In case the winner decide not to travel (or cannot travel) the award will consist in a cash prize of $3,000 US dollars.
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All images are submitted online as digital files. Photographers with analog images are encouraged to participate by scanning their images into a digital file that meets the submission requirements.
Prepare your images as required before beginning the submission process. Submissions are only accepted via the online process. Submissions as email attachments, on CD, or prints are not allowed in this competition and will not be returned. Digital image files must meet the following specifications: 8 bit JPEG files (CMYK and 16 bits files will not be uploaded), the largest dimension should be 1280 pixels (width or height), resolution of 72 ppi, JPG compression quality of 7. Layers must be flattened. Images will be viewed by the jurors as RGB images; therefore Adobe RGB 98 or SRGB profiles should be used. Image title may not exceed 40 characters. Please note that image title is the name of the artwork, not the file name. Files may contain a maximum of 25 characters, not counting .jpg. The file name may not include characters such as #, $, &, periods or other similar characters as part of the file. There will be one period in the file name, just prior to the file extension (i.e. filename.jpg).
Official web site: http://www.thegalaawards.com
Frequently asked questions — Nature photography contests
Who can enter nature photography contests?
Most nature contests welcome photographers worldwide, from hobbyists to professionals. Many prioritize ethical shooting practices and environmental storytelling—review guidelines to confirm if your work aligns with conservation-focused or artistic missions.
Are nature photography contests free to enter?
Some are free; many charge $10–$40 per image, with early-bird discounts or bundle rates often available. Entry fees and deadline tiers are listed in the Quick Facts section at the top of each contest page on PhotoCompete.
What prizes do nature photography contests offer?
Prizes range from cash awards ($500–$15,000) to publication in nature magazines, exhibition features, professional gear, or donations to conservation projects. Recognition from respected environmental organizations can amplify your impact and visibility.
How do I choose which nature contest to enter?
Align your work with the contest's environmental mission or aesthetic focus. Review past winners for style cues, verify technical specs (resolution, metadata), and confirm ethical guidelines—many nature contests prohibit baiting, staging, or disruptive wildlife practices.
Frequently asked questions — International photography contests
Who can enter international photography contests?
Most international contests welcome photographers worldwide, regardless of nationality or experience level. Always verify eligibility on the official contest page—some restrict by age (18+), amateur/professional status, or thematic focus.
Are international photography contests free to enter?
Some are free; many charge $10–$50 per image, with early-bird discounts often available. Entry fees and deadline tiers are listed in the Quick Facts section at the top of each contest page on PhotoCompete.
What prizes do international photography contests offer?
Prizes range from cash awards ($500–$25,000) to gallery exhibitions, publication features, professional gear, and artist residencies. Prestigious awards like the Sony World Photography Awards or IPA carry significant industry recognition.
How do I choose which international contest to enter?
Align your strongest work with the contest theme and review past winners to gauge aesthetic preferences. Confirm technical specs (resolution, file format), check rights clauses carefully, and prioritize contests whose mission matches your artistic goals.