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Term:
The Stewardship Network Photography Competition begins March 15, 2021 and ends December 1, 2021, at Midnight Eastern Standard Time. By submitting an entry, each contestant agrees to the rules of the contest.
What to enter:
- Natural World: Plants and landscapes; fungi and bacteria, geological or climatological features.
- Wildlife: Mammals
- Wildlife: Birds
- Wildlife: Fish
- Wildlife: Amphibians
- Wildlife: Reptiles
- Wildlife: Invertebrates
- Scientific Endeavors: People in Nature
Who may enter:
The Stewardship Network, in collaboration with a panel of professional photographers, will determine winners’ eligibility in its sole discretion. The contestant certifies that they are the sole creator and copyright owner of the submitted photograph.
Cropped photos are eligible in all categories. We do not accept digitally or otherwise enhanced or altered photos. Minor adjustments, including the removal of sensor dust or scratches on scans of negatives, dodging and burning, sharpening, contrast, toning, slight color adjustment and conversion to grayscale are acceptable for all categories. The addition and subtraction of objects is not permitted.
For a photo in which a person is recognizable, photographers must be prepared to provide a model release from the subject or, in the case of a minor, the subject’s parent or guardian, upon request. A sample model release is available here.
If the entrant is unable to provide all required releases, The Stewardship Network in its sole discretion reserves the right to disqualify the submission, seek to secure the required releases, or permit the submission to remain in the contest.
Photos that violate or infringe upon another person’s rights, including but not limited to copyright, are not eligible.
Photos that contain objectionable or inappropriate content, as determined by The Stewardship Network in its sole discretion, are ineligible for all categories of this contest.
Ethics:
Entrants must disclose the circumstances under which an image was captured.
The welfare of a subject and its environment must be placed ahead of the desire to capture a photograph. Upon entering the contest, entrants certify that subjects were treated with respect and dignity, and that no people, wildlife or the environment were harmed in creating a photograph.
If baiting was used to attract wildlife, or special equipment such as camera traps and drones used to capture the photograph, this must be disclosed. Live baiting of wildlife is not permitted.
How to Enter:
You may submit up to 5 photographs per category. Photographs must be submitted in .jpeg or .jpg format.
We do not accept photographs submitted through the mail or email. High-quality scans of non-digital photographs are acceptable.
You retain your rights to your photograph; however, by entering the contest, you grant The Stewardship Network a royalty-free, world-wide, perpetual, non-exclusive license to publicly display, distribute, reproduce and create derivative works of the entries, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or later developed, for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising and publications. Any photograph reproduced will include a photographer credit as feasible. The Stewardship Network will not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such uses.
Entry deadline:
The contest begins on March 15, 2021. All entries must be received by Midnight Eastern Standard Time on December 1st, 2021
Judging:
The Judges will select a winner and several finalists for each category, and a Grand Prize winner. The Grand Prize winner and category winners will be revealed online by the end of February 2022.
The Stewardship Network will notify winners via the contact information provided at the time of entry; The Stewardship Network may disqualify anyone who fails to respond to the notification within five business days.
Due to the volume of entries received, we ask that you please do not contact us about the status of entries or judging.
Prizes:
Winners will be responsible for paying any fees or taxes associated with the prize. All prizes are awarded “as is” and non-transferable. In case applicable law prohibits The Stewardship Network from awarding a photographer the cash prize and/or any non-cash prize, The Stewardship Network may award the prize in name only.
Conditions of Entry:
All entrants hold the Sponsors and their respective regents, directors, officers, employees, emeriti, fellows, interns, research associates, and volunteers (the “Indemnified Parties”) harmless from and against all claims of any nature arising in connection with entrant’s participation in the contest and acceptance or use of a prize. The Indemnified Parties are not liable for any costs, damages, injuries, or other claims incurred as a result of entrants’ participation in the contest or winner’s acceptance and usage of a prize. The Indemnified Parties are not responsible for incomplete or misdirected entries, technical or network malfunctions or failures, or causes beyond their control. Entrants are solely responsible for their entries. Entrants may not submit materials that introduce any software viruses, worms or other programs designed to damage software, hardware or telecommunications equipment or are off-topic, partisan-political, contain advertising, nudity, personal attacks or expletives, or is otherwise abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, discriminatory, libelous, obscene, false, sexually explicit, or that infringes on the rights of any third party.
The contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law. The Stewardship Network reserves the right to cancel the contest or modify these rules at its discretion. In the event of a dispute regarding the winners, The Stewardship Network reserves the right to award or not award the prizes in its sole discretion. Decisions of The Stewardship Network are final and binding.