ACNC Nature Photography Contest
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Contest Rules

Eligibility

The contest is open to photographers from around the world ages 8 and over. Contestants must be able to prepare digital files according to the guidelines below, fill out an online entry form which includes uploading the photograph files, and pay an entry fee of $15 per photo. Contestants must also have access to a valid email address for communication with contest officials.

Divisions and Categories

Divisions: Prizes will be awarded in two divisions:
  • Adult: age 18 or older, or out of high school
  • Youth: ages 8 to 18, or still in high school
Categories:
  1. Wildlife Portraits: any wild animal. No photos of animals in captivity, such as pets, zoos, or rehab animals.
  2. Macro Abstracts: anything that is natural/wild such as flowers, insects, leaves, water droplets, eyes/feathers of animals, close-up textures in nature, etc.
  3. Habitats and Landscapes: places that any wild animals live in and/or waterfalls, sunsets, mountains, etc.

Prizes & Recognitions

  • Six $200 Winners - 1 in each category for each division.
  • 12 Finalists will be selected (6 youth, 6 adult)
  • Winners' and finalists' photographs will be posted on this website. Winning photographers will receive cash prizes.​
  • Winners will be named in a news release that is widely distributed, including to their local media when known.
  • Audubon will print the winning photographs to exhibit in the Nature Center. 
​
A Note on Prize Money: Winners will receive prizes as a check in U.S. dollars sent by U.S. Mail.
Picture
2014 Winner: Youth Wildlife; Shannon Kelley - Amissville, Virginia

File Format

Files must be in JPG format. Any aspect ratio is acceptable, but please size the file so that the longest dimension is 1500 pixels and set the quality to “high.”

In order to ensure anonymous judging, please include
no signatures or watermarks that would reveal the
​name of the photographer on the photo itself.

Filenames should be constructed as follows:

 D-Cat-FL-Title.jpg

where:
D = Division (A for Adult or Y for Youth)
Cat = Category (W, M, or L for Wildlife, Macro, Landscape)
FL= your first and last initials (for example, Joe Smith=JS)
Title = title of photograph (for example, Green Frog)

Example: The photo pictured above would have the following filename:

Y-W-SK-Frog in Pond.jpg
​

Copyright

The photographer retains full copyright to his or her images. However, participation in the contest requires the contestant to give Audubon Community Nature Center (ACNC) permission to use the photographs without compensation on the Contest Website as well as on other ACNC websites and in news releases which may appear in print or on third party websites for the purpose of publicizing the contest. ACNC will always include the photographer's name when using a photograph for any purpose.
​

Timeline

  • Submission:  You may submit starting February 1, 2020. Deadline extended to midnight, Monday, August 31, 2020. (Eastern Time)
  • Judging:  Early September 2020.
  • Finalists and Winners Announced:  The week of October 5.
Picture
ADDRESS
​

Audubon Community Nature Center
1600 Riverside Road
Jamestown, NY 14701

(716) 569-2345
auduboncnc.org
info@auduboncnc.org
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