| Copyright | Entrants retain ownership and all other rights to submitted photographs subject to the following: By entering BigPicture, each entrant grants to the Academy a nonexclusive, irrevocable license to reproduce, publish and display submitted images in all media throughout the world directly in relation to the Competition |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Open to all photographers, worldwide. |
| Finish | 15 March 2017 |
| Entry fee | $25 for up to 10 single image submissions in any category; $15 for 1 Photo Series submission (3–5 images) |
FinishedCategories:
- Art of Nature
- Aquatic Life
- Winged Life
- Landscapes, Waterscapes, and Flora
- Terrestrial Wildlife
- Human/Nature
- Photo Series: Aerial Photography
Awards:
- The Grand Prize winner will receive $5,000 for the best overall image in the 2017 BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition and be featured in the annual exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences.
- The first place winners of the seven official categories will each receive $1,000 in cash and also have their winning images featured in the annual exhibit.
- Up to 6 additional finalists will be awarded a certificate of recognition for each category, with the exception of the Photo Series category.
- The Photo Series category will have one First Place awarded.
- The winning images are exhibited at one of the most prestigious science institutions in the world in San Francisco California, USA.
Entrants are limited to up to 10 single image submissions. Online submission of digital photographs via the website.
Image requirements: JPEGs, saved at the highest quality setting in sRGB and must be at least 1920 pixels on the longest dimension. No borders, watermarks or signatures allowed.
Frequently asked questions — Animal photography contests
Who can enter animal photography contests?
Most animal contests welcome photographers worldwide, from hobbyists to professionals. Many prioritize ethical shooting practices and authentic animal behavior—review guidelines to confirm if your work aligns with wildlife conservation, pet photography, or artistic animal portrait focuses.
Are animal photography contests free to enter?
Some are free; many charge $10–$45 per image, with early-bird discounts or multi-entry bundles 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 animal photography contests offer?
Prizes range from cash awards ($200–$20,000) to publication in nature magazines, exhibition features, professional gear, or donations to animal conservation projects. Recognition from respected wildlife organizations can amplify your impact and credibility in the animal photography community.
How do I choose which animal contest to enter?
Match your strongest animal images to the contest's focus—wildlife behavior, domestic pets, macro details, or conservation storytelling. Review past winners for style cues, verify ethical guidelines (no baiting or staging), and confirm technical specs like resolution and metadata requirements.
Frequently asked questions — Landscape photography contests
Who can enter landscape photography contests?
Most landscape contests welcome photographers worldwide, from enthusiasts to professionals. Many prioritize authentic location work and ethical land practices—review guidelines to confirm if your style aligns with the contest's artistic or conservation focus.
Are landscape photography contests free to enter?
Some are free; many charge $10–$35 per image, with early-bird discounts or series bundles often reducing costs. Entry fees and deadline tiers are listed in the Quick Facts section at the top of each contest page on PhotoCompete.
What prizes do landscape photography contests offer?
Prizes range from cash awards ($250–$10,000) to feature spots in outdoor magazines, calendar placements, workshop scholarships, or exhibition inclusion. Recognition from respected nature publications can significantly boost your visibility in the outdoor photography community.
How do I choose which landscape contest to enter?
Match your strongest images to the contest's theme or geographic focus. Review past winners for aesthetic preferences, verify technical specs (resolution, EXIF data), and check location requirements—some contests prioritize specific regions, parks, or environmental narratives.
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 — Photography exhibition contests
Who can enter photography exhibition contests?
Most exhibition contests welcome photographers with cohesive bodies of work—emerging to mid-career artists. Some prioritize thematic series or conceptual depth; review curatorial guidelines to ensure your project aligns with the venue's vision.
Are exhibition contests free to enter?
Few are free; most charge $15–$50 per submission, with portfolio or series entries priced higher. Entry fees and early-bird discounts are listed in the Quick Facts section at the top of each contest page on PhotoCompete.
What prizes do exhibition contests offer?
Prizes emphasize physical or virtual presentation: gallery exhibition slots, group show inclusion, catalog features, press coverage, or artist talks. Cash awards are less common but may range $1,000–$5,000 for top honors.
How do I choose which exhibition contest to enter?
Match your series to the venue's curatorial focus and research past exhibitions for aesthetic alignment. Verify technical specs (print size, framing, digital format), review shipping or installation requirements, and carefully assess rights clauses—some exhibitions request display or promotional usage rights.
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.