Rules & FAQ
If your question is not answered here, email [email protected] and we will get back to you.
Who can enter?
Anyone aged 18 or over, amateur or professional, anywhere in the world, except where local law does not allow it. There is no separate category by equipment. A photograph taken on a phone is judged beside one taken on a long lens.
How much does it cost, and what does the fee cover?
£6 for one entry of up to 5 photographs, and you may enter once a month. The fee is charged in pounds sterling; if you pay in another currency your bank will convert it. It covers judging, the prize and the running of this site.
What does the winner receive?
Each month has a cash prize, shown on that month’s page in the programme. We will contact the winner by email to arrange payment.
Can I enter a photograph taken in a previous year?
Yes. It has to fit the theme of the month you are entering, but it can have been taken at any time, so long as it has not already won a monthly competition here.
What editing is allowed?
Ordinary darkroom work is fine: exposure, contrast, colour balance, cropping, straightening, dust spotting and sensible noise reduction.
These are not allowed:
- Adding or removing any part of the subject or its surroundings
- Combining more than one photograph, including sky replacement
- Images generated or extended by artificial intelligence
We may ask the winner for the original raw or camera JPEG file before publishing.
What about the welfare of the animal?
The wellbeing of the subject comes before the photograph, every time. No baiting with live vertebrate prey, no disturbance at the nest or the den, and no restrained or captive subject unless you say so plainly in the title. Anything that worries us is set aside and the entrant is contacted.
Who owns my photograph?
You do, always. Entering gives us permission to show your photograph on this website and our social media accounts with your name alongside it. We will not sell it, license it to anyone else, or use it in advertising without asking you first.
How are the winners chosen?
Every entry is viewed. A shortlist is drawn up after entries close and the winner is picked by the judge named on the results page. Judges cannot enter the month they judge. Results are decided on the merit of the photograph alone.
How long do you keep my details and photographs?
We keep entries for 7 years, then they are deleted. Winning and commended photographs shown on the website stay up unless you ask us to remove them. See our privacy notice for the details.