| Copyright | All entrants grant a 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. |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Open only to legal residents of the United States of America who have reached 18 years |
| Finish | 24 June 2011 |
| Entry fee | Free |
FinishedEnter your photos that capture all parts of the redwood ecosystem, from sorrel and lichens, to deer and elk, to the trees themselves. Photos of friends and family enjoying the forest also are welcome.
Prizes:
- 1st prize: One-day interpretive tour of Redwood National Park for four from Redwood Adventures. Value: $500
- 2nd prize: Big Sur, California, guided day hike for two, including gourmet picnic lunch from Central Coast Outdoors. Value: $318
- 3rd prize: Four tickets to ride the Skunk Train through the redwoods from Willits, California. Value: $196
To enter you need to have a Flickr account (free). Only digital submission. You will fill out the Contest Registration form online and then upload their submissions to the 2011 Know Wonder Group Pool on Flickr and tag each submission with the photo contest tag of "11KnowWonder". To enter, visit How to Enter page for instructions on uploading your photos.
Image requirements: JPG format, at least 2,100 pixels wide (if a horizontal image) or 1,500 pixels tall (if a vertical image), that is, 5 inches x 7 inches at 300 dpi. Minor burning, dodging and/or color correction is acceptable. Cropping and fish-eye lenses are acceptable. High dynamic range images (HDRI) and stitched panoramas are acceptable only if the combined parts are all made around the same time.
Judging criteria:
- Evoking emotion, 50%
- Photographic quality (composition, lighting, color, in focus), 50%.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.savetheredwoods.org/community/contest.shtml
Frequently asked questions — Free photography contests
Who can enter free photography contests?
Most free contests welcome photographers worldwide, regardless of experience level or equipment. Many explicitly encourage students, hobbyists, and emerging creators—always verify age requirements or thematic restrictions on the official contest page.
Are free photography contests really free?
Yes—entry is $0 across the board. Some contests offer optional paid perks like expedited feedback or printed certificates, but submission, judging, and basic participation remain completely free. Fee status is confirmed in the Quick Facts section on each PhotoCompete listing.
What prizes do free photography contests offer?
Prizes vary widely: cash awards range $100–$5,000, while non-monetary rewards include online features, publication credits, mentorship sessions, exhibition inclusion, or gear donations. Even without cash, free contests offer valuable exposure and portfolio-building opportunities.
How do I choose which free contest to enter?
Prioritize contests whose theme or mission aligns with your work. Review past winners to gauge style preferences, confirm technical specs (resolution, file format), and read rights clauses carefully—even free contests may request usage rights for promotional purposes.