Nature Division
Definitions Used and Judging Criteria

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• Nature photography records all branches of natural history, except anthropology and archaeology. This includes all aspects of the physical world, both animate and inanimate.
  
  Nature images must convey the truth of the scene that was photographed. A well-informed person should be able to identify the subject of the image and be satisfied that it has been presented honestly and that no unethical practices have been used to control the subject or capture the image. Images that directly or indirectly show any human activity that threatens the life or welfare of a living organism are not allowed.
  
  
  • The most important part of a Nature image is the nature story it tells. High technical standards are expected and the image must look natural. Adding a vignette or blurring the background during processing is not allowed.
    
  • Objects created by humans, and evidence of human activity, are allowed in Nature images only when they are a necessary part of the Nature story.
    
  • Photographs of human-created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domesticated animals, human-created hybrid animals and mounted or preserved zoological specimens are not allowed.
  • Scientific bands, scientific tags or radio collars on wild animals are permissible.
    
  • Photographs of human created hybrid plants, cultivated plants, feral animals, domestic animals, or mounted specimens are ineligible, as is any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement.
    
  • Images taken with subjects under controlled conditions, such as zoos, are allowed.
    
  • Controlling live subjects by chilling, anaesthetic or any other method of restricting natural movement for the purpose of a photograph is not allowed
    
  • No modification that changes the truth of a Nature image is allowed. Images may be cropped but no other technique that removes, adds or moves any part of the image is allowed.
    
  • Techniques that remove elements added by the camera, such as dust spots, digital noise and lens flare are allowed.
    
  • Color images may be converted to greyscale monochrome.
    
  • Complete conversion of color images to greyscale monochrome is allowed. Partial conversion, toning and infrared captures or conversions are not allowed.
  • Greyscale images are permitted but toned images are not permitted.
  • Images of the same subject that are combined in-camera or with software by focus stacking or exposure blending are allowed. Multiple images with overlapping fields of view that are taken consecutively and combined in-camera or with software (image stitching) are allowed.

  Section 1: Nature Open (General):
  

  • Images entered in Nature Open/General must meet the above definition for Nature Photography.
    
    
  • Clarification: Images entered into Nature Open/General can have landscapes, geologic formations, weather phenomena, and extant organisms as the primary subject matter. This includes images taken with the subjects in controlled conditions, such as zoos, game farms, botanical gardens, aquariums and any enclosure where the subjects are totally dependent on man for food.

  Section 2: Nature Wildlife

  • Images entered into Nature Wildlife must meet the above definition of Nature Photography. In addition:
     
  • Zoological organisms must be living free and unrestrained in a natural or adopted habitat of their own choosing.
  • Images of zoological organisms that have been removed from their natural habitat, are in any form of captivity or are being controlled by humans for the purpose of photography are not allowed.
  • Botanical organisms may not be removed from their natural environment for the purpose of photography.
  • Images entered in Nature Wildlife sections are further defined as one or more extant (that is, still in existence) zoological or botanical organisms free and unrestrained in a natural or adopted habitat.
  • Images that have been staged for the purpose of photography are not allowed
  • Landscapes, geologic formations, photographs of zoo or game farm animals, or of any extant zoological or botanical species taken under controlled conditions are NOT eligible in Nature Wildlife sections.
  • Nature Wildlife is not limited to animals, birds and insects. Marine subjects and botanical subjects (including fungi and algae) taken in the wild are suitable wildlife subjects, as are carcasses of extant species.

In both sections WHITE OR GREY BORDERS OF 3 , 4, or 5 PIXELS IN WIDTH ARE PERMITTED. LARGER, SMALLER OR COLOR BORDERS ARE NOT PERMITTED.