The 2009 competition is open for entries

The Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is beginning its annual search for the best and most astonishing images from around the world, whether they come from the wildest places on Earth or urban gardens. With the bar being raised each year, the 2009 competition promises to be bigger and more inspiring than ever before.

‘This is the greatest and most prestigious competition for wildlife photographers anywhere in the world. It raises the profile of wildlife photography and provokes a wider awareness of wildlife conservation. It is not just professionals who are successful – amateurs of all ages have won awards in the competition many times. In recent years the judges have been particularly impressed by the standard of images being produced by many young people.’ Mark Carwardine (Chairman of the judges)

The winning photographer will be presented with £10,000 at an awards ceremony at the Natural History Museum, London, in October. Each category winner receives £500 and every runner-up £250. Special Award winners receive £1,000.

How to enter
  • visit our website to enter online, for revised rules and category definitions and the Chairman’s foreword and insider tips.
  • images must be digitally captured or scans of transparencies
  • original transparencies, or the original capture as it was recorded by the camera will be requested, and must be supplied if an image reaches the final round of judging
  • translations of the rules are available online in Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish
  • online entry fee: £20
  • postal entry fee: £27 (CDs only)
  • closing date for online entries: Friday 27 March 2009
  • closing date for postal entries (CDs only): Friday 20 March 2009

Veolia Environnement Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year

If you are 17 years or younger, this is the competition for you. You can enter pictures of any wild animals, plants or landscapes. The judges will be looking for original, beautiful or striking shots rather than rare or exotic subjects. Creatures or places close to home that you know well or have easy access to may be your best subjects.

The three categories are: 10 years and under, 11–14 years, 15–17 years

The winning photographer will receive £500 and a day out with a well-known wildlife photographer. Category winners will receive £250 and runners up £100.

How to enter

  • visit our website to enter online, see the revised rules, and more tips from the Chairman of the judges.
  • entry to this competition is free
  • up to 10 images can be entered
  • images must be digitally captured, or scans of transparencies
  • translations of the rules are available online in Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish
  • closing date for online entries: Friday 27 March 2009
  • closing date for postal entries (CDs only): Friday 20 March 2009

Judges

  • Mark Carwardine (Chair) zoologist, writer and photographer
  • Jack Dykinga, landscape photographer
  • Laurent Geslin, photographer
  • Chris Gomersall, wildlife photographer
  • Orsolya Haarberg, nature photographer
  • Josef (Sepp) Hackhofer, nature photographer
  • Tim Harris, manager, nature and garden collections, Photoshot
  • Tony Heald, wildlife photographer
  • Rosamund Kidman Cox, editor and writer
  • Jan-Peter Lahall, photographer
  • Tor McIntosh, picture editor
  • Vincent Munier, nature photographer
  • Erik Sampers, photo director, Terre Sauvage
  • Brian Skerry, marine wildlife photojournalist
  • Sophie Stafford, editor, BBC Wildlife Magazine
A feature on the 2009 competition, along with tips on how to improve your Urban and Garden photography can be found in the February issue of BBC Wildlife Magazine, on sale 22 January, and online at www.bbcwildlifemagazine.com

If you have any questions, please email wildphoto@nhm.ac.uk