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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. Entry enquiries
2. Image enquiries
3. Contact us

1. Entry enquiries

  • Adult entrants
    1. How many images can I enter? Adult entrants may submit a total of 20 images across the Competition’s categories. Up to 5 images can be entered into each category except for the following special awards: entrants to The Wildlife Photojournalist Award must submit 6 images; entrants to The Eric Hosking Portfolio Award must submit 10 images
    2. Do I have to pay to enter? Yes, each entrant to the Adult Competition must pay a fee of £20.00.
    3. How do I pay the entry fee? You must pay the £20.00 entry fee with a credit or debit card when you register online.
    4. Why can payment and submission of entries only be made online? Due to the substantial number of entries, we are only able to accept payment and submissions via our online system: we’re sorry if this causes any inconvenience.
    5. If I entered the Competition last year can I use the same entry code? No, you’ll receive a new entry code after you’ve registered and paid the entry fee.
  • Young entrants
    1. How many images can I enter? Young entrants can submit up to 10 images into their age category.
    2. Do I have to pay to enter? No, entry is free for all photographers aged 17 or under
    3. I'm under 17 years old but would like to enter the Adult Competition - am I allowed? No, if you’re aged 17 years or under you can only enter the Young Competition.
    4. If I entered the Competition last year can I use the same entry code? Yes, you may use your entry code from previous Competition years.
  • General entry enquiries
    1. Why is there a limit on the number of images that I can enter? The Competition wants to encourage each entrant to edit their images carefully, select those that represent their best work, and enter them in the most appropriate categories.
    2. Can I enter the same, or a similar image, in more than one category? No
    3. Can the Competition Office advise me on which category to submit my pictures too? No, it’s up to each entrant to select the category they wish to enter.
    4. Is there a time limit on when images must have been taken? No, however please remember that the judges will be looking for freshness, originality, creativity and innovation and so this should be reflected in images that are submitted.
    5. Can I enter an image that has been previously published? Yes
    6. How would you define a captive animal? This question has caused much debate. With full and appropriate disclosure of all information relating to how, when and where the image was captured, the Judges will ascertain whether the species featured is, as far as reasonably possible, living a free and wild existence. Don’t forget that images of captive animals, to illustrate an issue, are permitted within The Gerald Durrell Award for Endangered Species, The World in Our Hands and The Wildlife Photojournalist awards.
    7. What do you mean by an image being placed within a national or international competition? If an image has been selected as a winner, runner-up or commended (including variations) in such a competition it is not eligible for entry.
    8. What do you mean by a national or international competition? A national competition is one that is country-specific An international competition is one open to people from lots of different countries.
2. Image enquiries

  1. Should all images have been taken on a digital camera? No, all entries must be submitted as digital files, but this includes scans of transparencies and negatives too.
  2. Why do you no longer accept slides or transparencies? We request digital files so the Judges can view all images in the same format. We accept scans of slides and transparencies.
  3. How should I size my images to enter the competition? Please submit as JPEGs, saved at a high quality level (eg 10 in Photoshop, Adobe (1998) and must be 1920 pixels on the longest dimension
  4. Why do my images need to be submitted at 1920 pixels on the longest dimension? So your images are displayed to the judges at their optimum. The resolution of the monitors and projector used for judging is HD 1920 x 1200
  5. How do I prepare my images for submission? We have provided information on how to prepare your images to our specification using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom and Apple Aperture in the Digital guidelines – please see Section 3. Other brands of software can also be used.
  6. What should I include in the picture information attached to my photo? Full picture details (eg species, where, when and how the picture was taken) must be included in the IPTC field. For more information, please see Section 3 (ii) of our Digital guidelines.
  7. What forms of digital adjustments are acceptable? Please see the list of digital adjustments that are permissible in Section 4 of the Digital guidelines.
  8. Why do you request the RAW file, original JPEG, original transparency or negative? To check that any adjustments made to the image, comply with the Competition rules and digital guidelines
  9. What happens if I'm not able to provide the RAW file, original JPEG, original transparency or negative? The image will be withdrawn from the Competition.
  10. What size file do you require for printing if my image is successful? Entrants must be able to supply a high resolution file (preferably TIFF) suitable for printing in all media and for inclusion in the Exhibition and book should their image be successful. This should be 8-bit, Adobe RGB (1998) at 300ppi. Please do not interpolate your file as the Exhibition printers will work to enlarge the size if necessary.
  11. I'm having problems uploading, what should I do? Please email the Competition Office – wildphoto@nhm.ac.uk – detailing the problem and confirming your entry code. TIP: Try not to leave uploading to the last day of the Competition, as the high volume of traffic our website receives, can slow the upload process.
  12. Can I post my entries on a CD/DVD to the Competition Office? All entries must be entered online at www.wildlifephotographeroftheyear.com. If you’re experiencing difficulties uploading your images, please contact the Competition Office at wildphoto@nhm.ac.uk
  13. Can I change my selection of images once I have entered them? Yes, you can log in, then delete and add new images right up to closing date of 23 February 2012 (23.59 GMT).
  14. If my original transparency is requested, when will it be returned? If your image is successful, we’re likely to keep it until October 2012. If your image is not successful, the transparency or negative will be returned to you by August 2012.
3. Contact us

  1. Who do I contact if I still have a question? Please email the Competition Office at wildphoto@nhm.ac.uk and we will be happy to help
Family tree, Paul Goldstein Family tree by Paul Goldstein