| Copyright | By entering the Contest, all entrants grant an irrevocable perpetual, nonexclusive license to Authorized Parties, to reproduce, distribute, display, and create derivative works of the entries (along with a name credit) in connection with the Contest and promotion of the Contest, in any media now or hereafter known, including, but not limited to: display at a potential exhibition of winners; publication of a book featuring select entries in the Contest; publication in National Geographic magazine or online highlighting entries or winners of the Contest. |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (excluding Arizona, New Jersey and Vermont) and the District of Columbia, United Kingdom, Canada (excluding the province of Quebec), Australia, Republic of Ireland, India, South Africa and New Zealand who have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence at the time of entry. |
| Finish | 31 October 2009 |
| Entry fee | U.S. $22 for each photo |
FinishedEvery year, National Geographic‘s International Photography Contest draws thousands of spectacular photos from users around the world.
Categories:
- People
- Places
- Nature
First Prize:
- LEICA D-LUX 4: where compact size, extraordinary image quality, durability, and design meet. The D-LUX 4 features a superior glass Leica lens (24mm-60mm), an advanced image stabilization system, several manual controls, and a 11.3 megapixel sensor that also captures HD video.
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You may submit a total of six (6) photos to the contest. Judging consists of two (2) rounds of evaluation for each category. In round one, each judge in a panel of photographic experts will select ten (10) entries in each category from among all the eligible entries, based on the following criteria: (1) Creativity—50%; (2) Photographic quality—50%.
Before you submit a photograph, please make sure it meets the following requirements:
- JPG or JPEG file format (ex. YourImage.jpg or YourImage.jpeg)
- At least 1,600 pixels wide (if a horizontal image) or 1,600 pixels tall (if a vertical image)
- Total file size must be less than 5 megabytes (MB)
To enter, visit www.ngphotocontest.com; complete an entry form with the required information, including your name, address, telephone number, email address, and photo caption; and submit along with your photograph and fee in accordance with the instructions that follow.
Official web site: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/photo-contest/photo-contest
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.