Essex Wildlife Trust - 2008 Photograph Competition

2008 PHOTO COMPETITION – Celebrating Essex Wildlife.

All amateur photographers who are members of Essex Wildlife Trust are invited to take part in the 2008 photographic competition.

The aim is to find amateur photographers who best capture the beauty and importance of our local wildlife. The photographs could include any of the following:

Essex invertebrates, plants, fungi, birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, landscapes and people enjoying our Essex Wildlife.

Adult Competition
First prize for adults will be £100.00 worth of vouchers for the London Camera Exchange.
Second prize will be £50.00 worth of vouchers for the London Camera Exchange
Third prize will be £25.000 worth of vouchers for the London Camera Exchange.

Children’s Competition
Will include 2 age groups
Up to 16 years old – The prize will be Opticron Imia binoculars
We are very grateful to London Camera Exchange in Eld Lane, Colchester for sponsoring this competition.

The prize-winning photographs will all feature in an edition of the magazine and the closing date for entries is October 3rd 2008. Please send your entries to:

Photo competition, The Editor, Essex Wildlife, Essex Wildlife Trust, Abbotts Hall Farm, Great Wigborough, Colchester, CO5 7RZ. (If you would like your photograph returned please enclose a stamped address envelope).

Good luck!

Competition Rules

The welfare of the wildlife subject of any photograph is of greater importance than the photograph itself - entries which show evidence of disturbance or distress to the subject will be disqualified. Please take care to avoid damage to the environment in the process of your photography.
No entries will be accepted from Essex Wildlife Trust or London Camera Exchange staff or their families.
Winners will be informed in writing by October 31st 2008.
Prize-winning photographs will feature in an edition of Essex Wildlife magazine.
You must be the sole author and owner of copyright in all pictures entered.
A picture that has already won a prize in a major competition (one receiving more than 500 images) is not eligible for entry. Entries from professional photographers will not be accepted.
Please restrict yourself to two photographs per entry.
There is one category for children – up to 16 years old.
Photographs must be supplied in printed format, on CD or disk.
Please send your entres to Photo competition, The Editor, Essex Wildlife, Essex Wildlife Trust, Abbotts Hall Farm, Great Wigborough, Colchester, CO5 7RZ number, together with the title of your photograph, must be clearly stated on the reverse of each photograph entered. (email address is also welcome, and will not be passed on to any 3rd party).
Pictures of vertebrate animals taken in captivity, domesticated or restrained in any way, will not be eligible. You must declare if a picture of an invertebrate has been taken in captivity.
In the case of protected species, pictures must be accompanied by copies of the relevant permits. Entrants should note that without a permit from English Nature, the Countryside Commission for Wales or Scottish Natural Heritage, it is illegal to photograph some British species at the nest.
Digital adjustments are only acceptable if applied to the image as a whole. You should not adjust any selected area of the image.
Judges appointed by Essex Wildlife Trust will choose the winners. The organiser’s decision on all matters relating to the competition is final, and no correspondence will be entered into concerning the competition's judges and organisation. Due to the high number of entries individual feedback is not possible.
The organisers reserve the right to free reproduction and exhibition in all media, of prize winning and commended entries. Such reproduction will only be in connection with this competition and publicity for it, unless you indicate otherwise on the entry form.
All entries are sent at the photographer's risk. EWT regret that they cannot accept liability for any loss or damage of any images entered in the competition (howsoever caused) nor for any other loss or damage resulting therefrom.
RETURN OF ENTRIES: Photographs will only be returned if sufficient postage and packaging is supplied. All photographers should enclose a self-addressed label, strong packaging suitable for re-use, and stamps sufficient for return postage. The number of entries submitted should be clearly marked on the back of your SAE.
CLOSING DATE: The closing date for entries is October 3rd 2008.