| Copyright | By entering this contest, each contest entrant agrees to grant the California Coastal Commission and the Thank You Ocean Campaign a perpetual, royalty-free, nonexclusive and irrevocable license to use, reproduce, adopt, distribute, publish, use in the creation of derivative works, use in advertising or for commercial purposes, and display the Photograph(s), or any part of it, and to grant to any third party a coextensive sublicense to use the Photograph(s) for governmental or educational purposes or for promoting public awareness of the coast and ocean. |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Open to all photographers from the US. |
| Finish | 19 September 2022 |
| Entry fee | Free |
FinishedAn amateur photographer is defined as someone who earns less than 50 percent of their income from photography. Photographs in this contest feature the following subjects:
- The scenic coast and Pacific Ocean off California,
- People and the California coast, and
- California ocean and coastal wildlife.
Prizes:
- an Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay. Wine tasting at Dashe Cellars SF City View patio with two wine flights for up to 6 people; Two weekday tickets for a
four hour take away tandem kayak rental in Tomales Bay, courtesy of Blue Water Kayaking; Four tickets for a Monterey whale watching cruise, courtesy of Princess Monterey Whale Watching. - Monterey and Morro Bay. A Bernardus Wine and Memories bottle delivered to you; Two tickets for a whale watching cruise in Monterey Bay, courtesy of Discovery Whale Watch; One all day bike or kayak rental in Monterey, courtesy of Adventures by the Sea; Two tickets for a Morro Bay kayak tour, courtesy of Central Coast Outdoors.
- Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez Valley. Two tickets for a Santa Barbara whale watch cruise, courtesy of Condor Express; Kayak experience and two tickets for a Waterfront Cruise aboard the Double Dolphin courtesy of Santa Barbara Sailing Center; Two elevated tasting experiences at each of the four family wineries, courtesy of The Duckhorn Portfolio; Two tickets for a Santa Ynez Valley Wine Tour, courtesy of Captain Jacks.
- Malibu, Newport Beach and San Diego. Two tickets for a winery tour, courtesy of Malibu Wine Hikes; Two tickets for a whale watching cruise, courtesy of Newport Landing Whale Watching; Four passes for a whale watch trip with San Diego Whale Watch; Choose between a guided kayak
fishing trip or scenic tour in San Diego, courtesy of San Dog Kayak Adventures and Charter Fishing
Online submission of digital images via the website. A maximum of five photos per entrant may be submitted.
Minor cleaning of images is permitted, including the removal of dust or scratches. Converting a color image to black and white is acceptable as long as the subject remains represented realistically. High Dynamic Range (HDR), panoramas, focus stacking, and other techniques involving multiple images taken at the same time and place are also allowed. However, adding, removing or relocating subjects in a scene is not allowed.
The maximum file size is 50 MB. There are no size requirements as long as the picture is under 50 MB. Pictures can be in any orientation, vertical or horizontal. The accepted file formats are jpg, png, jpeg, and gif.
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 — 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.