Vetting Checklist

• Submissions for the competition are open to images that depict nature subjects, such as animals, birds, plants, geology and phenomena not produced by man
• Evidence of the “hand of man” and man’s specialized environment is to be avoided
• Zoology deals with animals and animal life and includes birds, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and marine and freshwater life.
• Animals must be photographed in the wild and cannot be reliant on humans for food or shelter or wellbeing. Hand of man is acceptable if the element is pertinent to the story and only forms a minor part of the image. Scientific bands, and radio collars are acceptable.
• Botany includes images that portray uncultivated plant life such as trees, flowering and non- flowering plants, ferns, algae, fungi, etc. in their natural habitat. 
• Images of domestic plants, artificially produced hybrid plants, flower arrangements, cultivated plants, etc. are ineligible. Hand of man is acceptable if the element is pertinent to the story and only forms a minor part of the image.
• General Nature includes landscapes and seascapes where animals and plant life is not the main subject, geologic formations, weather phenomena, and existing organisms as the primary subject matter. No hand of man, animate or inanimate is allowed. Night sky photography is also acceptable. Cityscapes are excluded.
• Photo techniques and modifications are allowed as long as the image appears natural looking.
• For nature competitions, the title of the photograph must identify the subject by its common or Latin name. Do not use “pictorial” or “cute” titles such as “little green plant” or “Jolly Green Giant”. “Bald Eagle” is better than “Eagle” which is better than “bird in tree”.

 

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