WASHINGTON (Sept. 7, 2012)—National Geographic invites photographers from around the world to enter the 2012 National Geographic Photography Contest. The grand-prize winner will receive $10,000 (USD) and a trip to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., to participate in the annual National Geographic Photography Seminar in January 2013.
Eligible contestants can visit www.ngphotocontest.com to submit photographs in one or all of three categories: People, Places and Nature. Entry fee is $15 (USD) per photo, and there is no limit to the number of submissions per entrant. Entries must be in digital format and submitted electronically. The contest, which is now open, ends Friday, Nov. 30, at 11:59 pm ET.
“Next year National Geographic celebrates its 125th anniversary. In that time we’ve published an incredible photographic legacy of exploration and inspiration. We want to challenge everyone with a camera to become part of that legacy, to share moments, places and compositions,” said Ken Geiger, National Geographic magazine’s deputy director of photography. “Our world is a wondrous place. It doesn’t need the latest digital enhancement filter to make it any more special. Use your camera, your skill, your luck of being in the right place at the right time to make real and incredible images. Use this contest as your platform to share your vision and amaze the world.”
Judging consists of three rounds of evaluation, based on the following criteria: creativity, photographic quality and genuineness/authenticity of the content. One first-place winner will be chosen from each of the three categories, and the winning photographs will be published in National Geographic magazine. The overall grand-prize winner will be chosen from the three category winners and will be announced in December 2012.
In addition to prizes, National Geographic photo editors will showcase their favorite entries every week at www.ngphotocontest.com. Users can view all entries and share them with family and friends through Twitter and Facebook as well as download wallpapers and complete jigsaw puzzles featuring contest entries.
No print or film submissions will be accepted for entry into the contest. While entries must be in digital format and submitted electronically, photographs need not be made with a digital camera; scans of negatives, transparencies or photographic prints are acceptable. Photographs must have been made within two years of the date of entry. For details and official contest rules, visit www.ngphotocontest.com.
About National Geographic Magazine
National Geographic magazine has a long tradition of combining on-the-ground reporting with award-winning photography to inform people about life on our planet. It won a National Magazine Award in 2012 for best tablet edition as well as a further 13 National Magazine Awards in the past five years: for Magazine of the Year and Single-Topic Issue in 2011; for General Excellence, Photojournalism and Essays, plus two Digital Media Awards for Best Photography and Best Community, in 2010; for Photojournalism in 2009; for General Excellence, Photojournalism and Reporting in 2008; and for General Excellence and Photography in 2007.
The magazine is the official journal of the National Geographic Society, one of the world’s largest nonprofit education and scientific organizations. Published in English and 33 local-language editions, the magazine has a global circulation of around 8 million. It is sent out each month to National Geographic members and is available on newsstands for $5.99 a copy. Single copies can be ordered by calling (800) NGS-LINE, also the number to call for membership to the Society.
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