| Copyright | Ownership of the copyright in all images submitted to the Competition will remain with the copyright owner(s). The photographer will be credited. The entrant grants to the Organisers a non-exclusive, irrevocable licence to reproduce, publish and communicate to the public in relation to the Competition and the Competition Exhibition and Touring Exhibition |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Open to all photographers, worldwide. |
| Finish | 12 December 2019 |
| Entry fee | £30 / £35 |
FinishedAwards:
- Wildlife Photographer of the Year – £10,000, trophy and personalised certificate
- Wildlife Photographer Portfolio Award – £2,500 and personalised certificate
trip to London to attend the awards ceremony - Wildlife Photojournalist Photo Story Award – £2,500 and personalised certificate plus trip to London to attend the awards ceremony
- Rising Star Portfolio Award – £1,500 and personalised certificate plus trip to London to attend the awards ceremony
- Adult category winners – £1,250 and personalised certificate plus trip to London to attend the awards ceremony
- Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year – £1,000, trophy and personalised certificate
Categories:
- Animals in their Environment
- Animal Portraits
- Behaviour: Amphibians and Reptiles
- Behaviour: Birds
- Behaviour: Invertebrates
- Behaviour: Mammals
- Plants and Fungi
- Under Water
- Urban Wildlife
- Earth’s Environments
- Black and White
- Creative Visions
- Wildlife Photojournalism
- Wildlife Photojournalist Story Award
- Rising Star Portfolio Award (aged 18 to 26)
- Wildlife Photographer Portfolio Award (aged 27 and over)
No farm animals, family pets, and/or cultivated plants.
Judging criteria: artistic merit, freshness of composition, technical proficiency, and innovation
Image requirements: JPEGs, saved at a high quality setting of at least 8 in Photoshop, Adobe RGB (1998), and at 1920 pixels along the longest dimension. No borders, watermarks or signatures should be included. Digital adjustments including tone and contrast, burning, dodging, cropping, sharpening, noise reduction, minor cleaning work, HDR, stitched panoramas, focus stacking using multiple exposure taken at the same location at the same time are permitted providing that they are reported within the caption information and comply with the Competition’s principles of authenticity so that they do not deceive the viewer or misrepresent the reality of nature.
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 — 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.