Wildlife Photographer of the Year harnesses the power of photography to promote the discovery, understanding, and responsible enjoyment of the natural world. An image can alter the way we see, think and feel. Whether captured in the most remote wilderness or taken in the intimacy of your own backyard, a truly great image of Nature can change our world view.
For 50 years, this competition has championed honest and ethical wildlife photography, while pushing the boundaries of artistic freedom, technical skill and narrative excellence. It recognises, rewards and celebrates the work of both emerging talent and established professionals worldwide.
There are ten adult categories:
• Mammals
• Birds
• Amphibians and Reptiles
• Invertebrates
• Plants and Fungi
• Underwater Species
• Earth’s Environments
• World in Our Hands
• Black and White
• Natural Design
And starting from this year there are four new Special Awards:
• TIMElapse - Breathe life into your still images by creating a moving sequence lasting between 45 and 90 seconds that tells a story, captures a dramatic moment, or simply illustrates something that matters to you.
• Wildlife Photojournalist of the Year - Explore the complex relationships between humans and the natural world through this categorie asking for images that depict positive or negative stories.
• Rising Star Portfolio Award - for young photographers aged 18 to 25.
• Wildlife Photographer of the Year Portfolio Award - for adult photographers aged 26 and over.
There are also three age groups categories for young entrants: 10 Years and Under / 11-14 Years / 15-17 Years.
Moreover, this year there is a new special interactive award: WILD-I - one submission per entrant of six still images and up to 150 words of text plus an optional 90 seconds of moving image.
Entrants are required to report on the natural world in a way that is both creative and honest. Images entered must not attempt to deceive the viewer or misrepresent the reality of nature. Entrants must not do anything to injure or distress any animals or destroy their habitat in an attempt to secure an image.
Entries must be in digital format but the original photograph does not need to have been taken on a digital camera. High quality scans of transparencies or negatives are also acceptable. Digital files must be submitted as JPEGs, saved at a high quality setting of at least 8, Adobe RGB (1998), and at 1920 pixels along the longest dimension. Ownership of the copyright in all images submitted to the Competition will remain with the copyright owner(s).
Entry fee for photographers 18 and over: £30 (approx. 50 USD). There is no entry fee for photographers 17 and under.
Eligibility
The competition is open to everyone worldwide.
Prize
Take centre stage at the glittering 50th Wildlife Photography of the Year Awards Ceremony held within the iconic surroundings of the Natural History Museum in London. See your image premiered in the breath-taking exhibition at the Museum before it is then toured worldwide reaching an audience of millions. Enjoy extensive media coverage and the public exposure of your image through the WPY online community and much more.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year Best Single Image: £10,000 (approx. 16,500 USD) and trophy.
