Photographer of the Year 2017 — Open for entries

We're ready to see the best you have! Entries are now open for the annual New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year—the country’s most popular, prestigious and richest photography competition. There’s more than $5000 in cash up for grabs, and a voyage with Heritage Expeditions. 

Have you got what it takes? Enter now.

[ PHOTO: RICHARD SIDEY—WINNER, DJI AERIAL CATEGORY 2017 ]

Before you enter...

... it pays to check out the competition. Look at the images that won last year, and the year before to deduce the winning ingredients. Have a read of the judge's tips on how to win this competition to discover what they're really looking for. And of course, always read the terms and conditions... we've got nothing to hide. 

Finally, familiarise yourself with the awards and categories, and pick images from your collection that best exemplify the criteria:

AWARDS

Nikon Photographer of the Year
Chosen from all entrants, the winning portfolio demonstrates skill, consistency and creative insight that makes for quality visual storytelling. It rewards originality and competence across all images entered, and the ability to reveal a fresh perspective on our land or people.

Tamron Young Photographer
The young photographer is chosen from all entrants under the age of 25 on September 30, 2016, and like Photographer of the Year, the quality of the entire portfolio of entered images is considered.

Panasonic People's Choice
Visitors can vote on finalist images at the Photographer of the Year exhibitions in Auckland and Christchurch and on the website. Public votes are tallied across the exhibition season.

Resene Colour Award
An award that recognises special use of colour where it contributes to the success of the image. This award is chosen from all entrants.

CATEGORIES

Microsoft Wildlife
Capture an animal or groups of animals in their natural environment. We are looking for images that exude life and show behaviour or adaptations that make the animal unique.

Resene Landscape
Showcase the wonders of New Zealand­—its mountains, wetlands, coasts and plains. Judges are looking for attention to light and drama.

Panasonic Lumix Timelapse
Using the technologies of timelapse or hyperlapse, this category explores an aspect of New Zealand’s environment or society. Judges are looking for how the winner uses time to reveal the subject in a fresh way.

Progear Photo Story
A set of four to six images. Judges will be looking for the quality of the images overall, as well as how they work together to tell a story in an insightful and revealing way.

DJI Aerial
The aerial category celebrates images that defy the old visions from above and bring new perspectives of our landscapes and life.

Society & Culture 
his category celebrates the traditions and relationships of all New Zealanders. The winning entry will be an image that captures our identity.

YOU'RE READY, ENTER NOW

[ PHOTO: MURRAY MCCULLOCH—WINNER, PANASONIC PEOPLE'S CHOICE 2017 ]