Wildlife Photographer of the Year

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

1. Entry enquiries

• Adult competition entrants
  1. How many images can I enter? Adult entrants may submit a total of 20 images. Up to 5 images can be entered into each category apart from the following special awards: entrants to the Wildlife Photojournalist Award must submit a photo story of 6 images; entrants to the Eric Hosking Portfolio Award must submit a portfolio of 6 to 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. If I entered the competition last year can I use the same entry code? No, we have launched a new online entry system for the 2013 competition and you will need to register as a new user. Once you have registered you will be able to use the same email address and password for all future competitions you enter.
• Young competition 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 to the Young competition is free.
  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 at the competition closing date you can only enter the Young competition.
  4. If I entered the competition last year can I use the same entry code? No, we have launched a new online entry system for the 2013 competition and you will need to register as a new user. Once you have registered you will be able to use the same email address and password for all future competitions you enter.
• General entry enquiries
  1. What is your 'dashboard'? Your dashboard is similar to a personal account. It is where you can view and edit your personal details, see a list of competitions you are eligible to enter, review competitions you have entered before, and edit your entries right up to the closing date.
  2. Why can’t I 'drag and drop' my images into the uploader? Not all website browsers support 'drag and drop' functionality. You can upload your images by selecting 'Add files' and then select your images from your file browser window. Once you have selected your images, click 'Open' and watch your images appear in the upload box. Please select 'Start upload' to add your images to the category.
  3. Why is there a limit on the number of images that I can enter? The competition encourages each entrant to edit their images carefully, select those that represent their best work, and enter them in the most appropriate categories.
  4. Can I enter the same, or a similar image, in more than one category? The same, or a similar image, should not be entered into more than one category.
  5. Can you advise me on the best category for my image(s)? No, it is up to each entrant to select the category they wish to enter. Please view our Adult categories or Young categories pages for guidance.
  6. 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 so this should be reflected in all images that are submitted.
  7. Can I enter an image that has been previously published? Yes
  8. 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 and the World in Our Hands and Wildlife Photojournalist Awards.
  9. How do you define a cultivated plant? A cultivated plant has been planted, or is maintained by human intervention, and may also have been created from another species.
  10. Which species are eligible for the Behaviour: Cold-Blooded Animals category? Reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects and arachnids are defined as cold-blooded animals.
  11. What do you mean by an image being awarded in a national or international competition? If an image has been selected as a winner, runner-up or commended (including variations) in either a national competition (open countrywide), or an international competition, (open to people from multiple countries), it is not eligible for entry into the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
  12. 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. How should I save my images to enter the competition? All images must be submitted as JPEGs, saved at a high quality level, eg 10 in Photoshop, Adobe RGB (1998) and must be 1920 pixels on the longest dimension.
3. 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.
4. 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 Image editing guidelines (Section 3). Other brands of software can also be used.
5. Where do I add information about my image? Please see section 3 of the Image editing guidelines for guidance on adding a caption. If you have not added a caption to your image file you can add one after it has been uploaded.
6. What caption information should I include with my images(s)? We would like you to include the following information about your image(s) in the caption field:
   • Full scientific name of the main species featured
   • Exact location including country information to confirm where the image was taken
   • Detailed description of the image including any behaviour observed, interesting background story, technical comments, etc
   • How the image was taken ie multiple exposure, if bait used, etc
   • Entrants should leave the EXIF details intact ie camera, lens, exposure, etc
   Please do not include the following information with your image:
   • Your name in the caption field
   • Your name in the image title
   • Your name on the image itself (eg copyright or logo)
7. What forms of digital adjustments are acceptable? Please see the list of digital adjustments that are permissible in Section 4 of the Image editing 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 Adult rules, Young rules and Image editing guidelines
9. What happens if I'm not able to provide the RAW file, original JPEG, original transparency or negative when requested? Your image will be withdrawn from the competition.
10. What forms of digital adjustments are acceptable? Please see the list of digital adjustments that are permissible in Section 4 of the Image editing guidelines.
11. What size file do you require for printing if my image is successful? You must be able to supply a high resolution file, preferably TIFF, suitable for printing in all media and for inclusion in our exhibition. This should be 8-bit, Adobe RGB (1998) at 300ppi. Images within our exhibition will be printed to an approximate minimum of 920mms along the longest dimension.
12. Can I post my entries on a CD/DVD to the competition office? No, all entries must be entered online at www.wildlifephotographeroftheyear.com If you’re experiencing difficulties registering, paying or 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 login and delete and/or add new images up until the closing date of 25 February 2013.
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 2013. If your image is not successful, the transparency or negative will be returned to you by August 2013.

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.