Adult Categories

Color or Black & White images may be entered.

ANIMALS (Wild & Captive)

Images of animals in their natural environment or a controlled setting (i.e., farm, zoo, ranch, etc.).  It may include mammals, marine life, reptiles, amphibians, insects, butterflies, and spiders. Does not include pets.

Feathered Friends

Wild or captive birds.

Expressive Impressions *(Intermediate and Advanced Only)

These are images that show an altered reality. There are obvious changes in natural color, form, shape, or any combination of these. They are nature-related images intended to express the photographer’s impression of the subject. The image is enhanced or transformed, beyond the way the subject appears in nature, using techniques such as creative blurs, and digital manipulation).  Not to be judged on the amount of manipulation but on the artistic end result. 

Naturally occurring patterns, lines, shapes, and forms of animals, objects, or plants in nature; also may include macro and extreme close-up images in cases where the patterns, lines, shapes, etc. are the principal subject.

FLORAL

Images of natural or cultivated flowers, plants, or gardens.

SCENICS

Expansive views may include landscapes, cloudscapes, mountains, forests, deserts, etc. Nature should be the primary subject of the image.

Note: Photography on train tracks is illegal. Images captured while on train tracks are not admissible.

Note:  It is the responsibility of the photographer to read through the category descriptions carefully and to choose the appropriate category for each image.  Keep in mind that the image could fit into more than one category.  The photographer’s selection will be final. Anything not meeting the criteria will be ineligible for judging.