Applications call for Magical Nature – Nature Photography of the Year. The contest “Magical Nature” is hosted by the Association of Slovenian Nature Photographers (ZNFS). Moreover, there are 6 categories, acceptable are images from all corners of our planet:

• Mammals
• Birds
• Other animals (except mammals or birds)
• Plants including lichens, mushrooms, etc.
• Natural Landscapes
• Man and nature (examples of the positive or negative influence of man on nature)

Who can enter?

• The contest is open to amateur as well as professional photographers from around the world.
• Members of the jury, members of the competition management group and their nearest relatives are not eligible for participation.
• Every participant can submit up to 20 digital photographs. They can be distributed at her/his wish, but no more than 4 in each category.
• The same image can not be submitted to more than one category.
• Furthermore, the previous entries will be disqualified.

Guidelines 

• Photography must present nature without the presence of human or human elements, except when this is part of the story (i.e. white stork nesting on the chimney) and in case of entries for category 6.
• The presence of elements used for scientific research (bird rings, transmitters, …) is allowed.
• But the presence of domestic animals or cultivated plants or artificially arranged scenes is not allowed.
• Digital techniques for adding, removing, moving or copying of objects on the photography (cloning) is not allowed.
• Cropping is allowed but the longest side of photography must have at least 3000 pixels.
• Digital techniques that improve photography without changing its content (i.e. sharpening, removal of lens aberrations, noise or sensor dust, managing highlights/shadows, changing white balance, contrast, color saturation) are allowed, but the jury might eliminate entries where editing was too an extreme.
• HDR and focus stacking is allowed if images were taken at the same location and within a short period of time.
• Picture stitching is not allowed. Similarly, IR images are not allowed.
• Furthermore, black & white, and monochromatic images are allowed.

Prizes

• Author of Nature Photography of the Year will receive prize money of 500€ and a special prize: 4 days Photo-Tour worth 800€.
• The jury will select one winner in each category who will receive prize money of 300€ and 9 runners-up, who will receive the Highly Commended award.
• More than 4000€ all together.

Useful Links 

• Regulations
• Awards
• List of Authors
• Results
• Entry Form – UPLOAD