Nature's Best Backyards

Photo Contest

UPLOAD YOUR PHOTOS | Entry Guidelines PDF
The editors invite all photographers to enter images made
in your own backyard, in a public or private garden, or a nearby park or preserve. The winning images will be published in an upcoming edition of Nature's Best Photography magazine and may also appear in online Galleries such as Aol’s Pixcetera.com, MSNBC.com, Discovery.com, and others. Questions? E-mail: Backyards@naturesbestphotography.com


Ocean Views Photo Awards

UPLOAD YOUR PHOTOS  | Entry Guidelines PDF
Ocean Views is a photo competition created to inspire greater understanding and stewardship of ocean ecology through the art of nature photography. Nature's Best Photography invites photographers at all levels of experience worldwide to enter their best shots in this competition. Questions? E-mail:
Oceans@naturesbestphotography.com


To enter photos online

• Prepare your images:
Save copies of your photos as low-resolution ".jpg" image files NO LARGER THAN 500K at 72 ppi (the size will vary - go for approximately 720 to 1000 pixels on the longest side).
• Click on "Upload your photos" and follow the instructions on the form
• After entering online: Photographers who have images that pass into the next rounds for judging will be required to supply high-resolution files (and RAW files if available), a more complete caption and camera specifications before the final judging. Failure to supply requested materials will lead to disqualification. PLEASE NOTE: Information on how to send us your high-res files will be emailed to you if your images reach the next rounds of judging for further review.


To enter photos by mail

Follow the directions on the Submission Guidelines PDF for each competition and send your entries postmarked no later than the deadlines. Please include BOTH low and high resolution files on discs or carefully packaged or send properly protected slides or transparencies, along with the entry fee in US dollars only (no foreign checks), and a completed Entry Form with ALL information clearly filled out. Mail your entry (see details on the Guidelines PDFs) to:
NATURE'S BEST PHOTOGRAPHY
NAME OF CONTEST
11411-C SUNSET HILLS ROAD
RESTON, VIRGINIA, 20190  USA
PHONE: 703-467-9783

IMPORTANT NOTE:
All photos must accurately reflect the subject matter as it appeared in the viewfinder. Nothing should be added to an image, and aside from dust spots, nothing should be taken away. Normal processing of RAW image files and minor adjustments to color and contrast are acceptable, as is minimal cropping. HDR and focus stacking are permitted as long as all manipulation is disclosed upon entry. Entrants must not infringe on the rights of any other photographer or person, or submit images that involve the willful harassment of wildlife or damage to the environment by the photographer. Failure to comply with all of the contest provisions will lead to the disqualification of your entry.

The Judging Process:

 

During the preliminary round, obvious factors will instantly eliminate an image from the competition, such as the main subject being out of focus, blown-out highlights, poor compositions, or bad exposures. Another way to be removed from consideration is to present images that are just like the ones we have already selected. We want to see fresh images that reflect your talent. When you try to make your photographs unique in some way, you increase your chances of moving to the next round.

Once a photograph has entered the second round, it has been judged technically sufficient to merit a closer look at the composition, artistry, and the uniqueness of the image. The second round is also where images within single categories compete with one another. Several of the categories are obvious favorites: in the Windland Smith Rice Awards Competition the Wildlife category tops the list, followed closely by Landscapes. For example, back in 2007, there were 108 images passed on to the second round within the Landscape category alone, while just 17 did so in Zoos and Aquariums category and a mere 15 made it into Environmental Issues. The odds of having your image selected as a winner increase with limited competition, so you may want to submit more images that fit within the more specific categories.

During the second round, we look for particularly striking images that stand out. Compositions are well-balanced, all of the elements that are in the image add to it, and nothing detracts. The primary subject is kept away from the edge of the frame. Horizons are level. No artificial light has been added unless it is well-controlled, such as fill flash or bounced natural light that leaves the image looking as it appears in nature. Images that excite our senses and offer new ways of seeing familiar topics quickly rise to the top.

Images that pass the review during second round reach the final round. Technically these are all fantastic shots, whether razor sharp or blurred by intention. The compositions are strong and dynamic. The images can stand alone and capture the imagination or emotion of the viewer. At this point, each photograph is capable of being selected as a winner.

The final round is the most difficult round. With so many images technically and artistically qualified to win, we must finally chose the winners. At this point we examine each original transparency or high-resolution file in great detail, taking into consideration which images seem familiar, and which ones seem new, fresh, or different. Ultimately the judges reach agreement and settle on the finalists, including the Grand Prize winner, category Winners, and Highly Honored images. With regret, many excellent images that deserve recognition simply have to be left out due to lack of space in the magazine and in the exhibitions.

Our prizes vary from contest to contest, but if your image is selected it will be published in our high-quality print magazine (sold at the Smithsonian) and you will receive exposure if you are selected to be featured in the Smithsonian's website, on Pixcetera, MSNBC, New York Daily News, or Discovery photo galleries, as well as Audubon, Divers Alert Network, and others. Also, if you are a category winner or highly honored in a category of the Windland Smith Rice International Awards competition, your image may be enlarged and framed and displayed in our annual photo exhibition in one of the most prestigious and most highly-visited museums in the world.

Read this article and follow these tips to improve your chances of making it to the final round. We want to see your best shots and share them to help motivate a deeper appreciation of the natural world through the art of photography. Good luck!  — The Editors

*Nature’s Best Publishing LLC is not responsible for damage or loss incurred during shipment to or from our offices.
**Entrants must not infringe on the rights of any other photographer, landowner or other person. Photographs involving willful harassment of wildlife, destruction of habitat or property are unacceptable.
***Failure to comply with contest guidelines will lead to disqualification.
VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

COPYRIGHT: Photographers own their own copyright and enter Nature’s Best Photography Awards competitions of their own free will. As a condition of having a photograph selected as a winning image, photographers agree to a non-exclusive transfer of worldwide rights allowing Nature’s Best Publishing, LLC (NBP) the following uses including, but not limited to: publishing the image(s) in upcoming issues of Nature’s Best Photography magazine; hanging the image(s) in public exhibitions; and displaying the image(s) on the NBP and other websites; and using the image(s) to promote Nature’s Best Photography competitions. ‘Non-exclusive’ allows the photographer to market the image as they choose. NBP does not restrict future sales of the image, rather NBP enhances opportunities to market the photograph as a ‘Winner’ in a very prestigious competition. Many photographers have found their sales to increase based in part on their participation in NBP award competitions.

Click here to order a copy.
View the winners from the last  Best Backyards, Ocean Views, and Birds in Focus contests in the 2010 Spring/Summer issue of Nature's Best Photography magazine, seen above.

Professionals, Amateurs, and Youth (12-18) are welcome to enter. You may enter a total of up to 20 images for one entry fee ($25 US—no foreign checks or foreign money orders). Each submission MUST follow the guidelines.
If an image is selected as a finalist, we will need the high-resolution digital files or original transparencies (slides) for the judging during final rounds.

The winning images will be published in an upcoming edition of Nature's Best Photography magazine and a selection will also appear in online Galleries such as Aol’s Pixcetera.com, MSNBC.com, Discovery.com, and others.