Guidlines
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2008 Nature's Best Photography Windland Smith Rice
International Awards Guidelines

The editors of NATURE’S BEST PHOTOGRAPHY magazine invite all photographers to enter the 2008 NATURE’S BEST PHOTOGRAPHY WINDLAND SMITH RICE INTERNATIONAL AWARDS competition. More than $10,000 in cash will be awarded, including $2,500 to the Grand Prize winner. The winning photographs will be published in the Fall 2008 NATURE’S BEST PHOTOGRAPHY and may be selected for our annual exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, and in other locations. Entries will be judged on technical quality, originality, and artistic merit.

RULES:

Each submission is limited to a total of no more than 20 images (35mm color slides, larger format color transparencies, or digitally captured images. Prints will NOT be accepted). Each submission MUST follow the guidelines below and be sent in one package along with the entry fee and the completed entry form with ALL information filled out in clear, legible print or type.

FILM:

Original slides, or large format transparencies must be sent to us in protective plastic sheets (PrintFile, etc.). Each slide mount or transparency mount must bear the photographer’s name, phone number, and state or country of residence.

  • NO GLASS MOUNTS!
  • High quality duplicate slides will be accepted for preliminary judging only.
  • Digital scans of original slides or transparencies will be accepted for preliminary judging only (follow the specifications for low-res digital images below).
  • Original film images must be made available for final round judging.

DIGITAL IMAGES:

Digital images should be taken with the camera set for the highest possible resolution.

  • Low-resolution (72 ppi) JPEG copies of your images, measuring 1000 pixels on the longest side, must be burned to a single CD or DVD and labeled ‘LOW-RES.’ These will be used for preliminary judging.
  • High-resolution (400 ppi) uncompressed and unsharpened TIFF images, measuring 8000 pixels on the longest side, may be burned to as many CDs or DVDs as needed for the final round of judging, each labeled ‘HI-RES’. TIFF files, or the original RAW files, will be used for publication and/or exhibition if selected as a winner. Include your original RAW files with your submission, if available.
  • Each electronic image must be labeled with your first and last name, image title, and the category it is to enter. Each CD or DVD submitted must bear the photographer’s name, phone number, and state or country of residence.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS 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. Exceptions: anything goes in the Creative Digital category. Stitched panoramas may be entered in any category, but they must be identified.

ENTRY FEE

A check or money order in the amount of $25 (US) must be included with your entry and made out to NATURE’S BEST PHOTOGRAPHY.

You may call 703-467-9783 to charge with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or include charge card information it on your Entry Form.

ENTRY FORM

Each submission MUST be accompanied by a completed entry form with ALL information clearly filled out. Click here to download the Entry Form pdf. Or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Awards Entry Form Request
Nature’s Best Publishing LLC
11411-C Sunset Hills Road
Reston, VA, 20190

DEADLINE

Entries are accepted beginning on January 28, 2008 and must be postmarked no later than April 26, 2008.

SPECIFY METHOD OF RETURN

Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope of adequate size for the safe return of your materials, with sufficient postage. For Courier returns, include a completed shipping form with your courier account or credit card number, expiration date, and security code for payment. A check or charge information for the amount of the return postage using the return method you request is acceptable in place of a SASE. CDs or DVDs submitted without a method for return will be destroyed at the end of the contest. Submissions sent without sufficient return information will not be returned.

SEND YOUR SUBMISSION with AWARDS ENTRY FORM and PAYMENT to:
2008 AWARDS, 11411-C Sunset Hills Road, Reston, VA 20190, Phone: 703-467-9783

QUESTIONS?

Call us at 703-467-9783 or send e-mail to: Awards@NaturesBestMagazine.com