Entering the Photo Contest

How to enter:

ALL PHOTOS MUST BE TAKEN ON AUDUBON'S PUBLIC WILDLIFE REFUGES.

You are invited to submit striking digital photographs taken of nature on Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wildlife Refuges that are open to the public. Images may feature portraits of wildlife, plant life, natural landscapes, weather or people interacting with nature. Contest deadline is October 31, 2017!

Above all, keep the welfare of the birds and other wildlife in mind during this competition. It is extremely important that individuals respect the species they are viewing and do not harass them in any way. As such, the following are NOT PERMITTED:

• Using recorded song playback to lure species.
• Approaching nesting birds (known to be building nests, incubating eggs or caring for offspring).

The Audubon Society of Rhode Island photo contest is open to all participants (except employees and contest sponsors, judges, and their immediate families).  Audubon Society of Rhode Island volunteers are welcome to enter the contest. 

The contest is open to amateur and professional photographers in one of two categories: 18 or older and under 18. Photos must be submitted electronically by using our photo entry form.

Upload up to three photographs that were taken on Audubon Society Wildlife Refuges that are open to the public. Click here for a listing of refuges, trail maps, and directions. Each photo must include the photographers name, age category, name of Audubon refuge and an informational caption.

Deadline for submitting photos is October 31, 2017.

Questions and inquiries about the photo contest can be emailed to Hope Foley.

Contest Rules:

Photos must be entered into one of two categories:

• 18 and older (18+)
• Under 18 (18-)

Each entrant may enter a maximum of three (3) photos and they must be submitted electronically using our photo entry form.

Photos may be black & white or color.

Photos must be taken on one of Audubon Society of Rhode Island’s public Wildlife Refuges.

Submitted photos may have been taken at any time prior to or during the photo contest.

Images may be of landscapes, animals, plants, weather, or people in nature. You must download an Audubon photo release form for any people in your photograph and you can be obtain a copies here: Photo Release Form.  

Your images must not:

• Be obtained by harassment of wildlife or damage to the environment by the photographer
• Infringe on the rights of any other photographer or person

Photos that have been digitally altered beyond standard optimization will be disqualified. Standard optimization is defined as removal of dust, cropping, adjustments to color and contrast, etc. Collages and multiple exposures are not allowed, other than multiple exposures that have been combined to produce a single "High Dynamic Range" image.

Send in the highest quality photographs. Because we want to feature the winning photos in our magazines and publications, we ask that you submit your pictures in jpg. format in the largest and finest setting on your camera without exceeding 10 MB (10,000 KB). Minimum file size should be 300KB. 

Previously published material for which nonexclusive rights were granted may be entered as long as you still maintain the right to grant us a license (see below). You must be able to disclose when and where the photo appeared previously to this photo contest, and you hereby grant to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island nonexclusive, worldwide, irrevocable publication rights in all Audubon Society of Rhode Island publications, print or electronic, and the right to use your name, city, state and country of residence in photographer’s name. 

NOTE: Once a month, recently submitted photos will be reviewed by Audubon staff and chosen photos will be shared on the Audubon Society of Rhode Island Facebook Page. Images that are selected and shown on Facebook are not necessarily considered as finalists in the contest.

Please do not include photographs of pets, captive or domestic animals. 

Photo caption information must accompany all submissions, and should include the photographer name, the refuge the image was taken, age category and contact information.