all competitions

CIWEM's Environmental Photographer of the Year encourages entries that are contemporary, creative, resonant, challenging, original and beautiful. But most of all, we want your pictures to inspire people around the world to start taking care of our environment.

The competition is open to all professional and amateur, national and international photographers of all ages. However, you must ensure that the quality meets the competition's criteria as stated below.

You can now submit still and video entries to the Environmental Photographer of the Year, but please read the category briefs below carefully before entering. Log in to the right of the page.

Copyright remains with the photographer at all times.

STILL PHOTOGRAPHIC CATEGORIES

Still pictures can be from film and digital cameras. Each individual picture must be assigned to only one of the categories although you may enter your seven pictures across any of the categories and more than one picture into any category.

There is a maximum of 7 still images per entrant and you MUST NOT include a signature copyright tag on the image or your entry will not be counted.

* The Natural World
These images should celebrate the incredible variety and beauty that exists within our natural environment, from the smallest organism to the grandest landscape.

* The Underwater World
Three-quarters of the world's surface is water and almost half of the world's population lives on or close to a coastline but, to many, the wonders of the underwater world are virtually unknown. This category allows you to share the incredible secrets the oceans, lakes and even ponds hold, as well as highlight the vital role they play in our world's survival.

* Mott MacDonald's Changing Climates
These photographs should illustrate the impacts that climate change is having on our world. This may include places and people that are benefitting from changes, or vulnerable ecosystems and communities which are struggling with the affects. You may wish to examine the interaction between economic development, environmental degradation and social inequity, treating climate change as a human rights issue.

* Quality of Life
Photographs might illustrate a particular way of life in various rural, urban or social environments all over the world. They may examine individual or community lifestyles, working conditions, leisure activities, cultural traditions, spiritual activities, social inequities, racial prejudices or access to natural resources that impact on people's quality of life, both positively and negatively.

* A View of the Western World
Many of those living in the Western World prosper through political and personal freedom, good health and education but the developed world is also associated with excess and waste, stress, over development and environmental degradation. So this is an opportunity to explore all that is good and bad in Western society, perhaps looking to your local communities, politicians, friends or businesses for inspiration or condemnation. Remember, climate change will affect all of us, not just those in seemingly far off places.

* CS2's Building Our Future (New for 2011)
This category is about how we are investing in our future through design, technology and innovation. Photographers could depict successful sustainable design through images of green architecture, landscaping, urban planning, innovative engineering, resource efficiency, new technologies, industrial design and interior design. This is also your opportunity to examine how people interact with their built environment, explore our relationship with nature in our towns and cities, or perhaps look at the effects of abandoned buildings on communities.

website: http://www.ciwem.org/competition-and-awards/environmental-photographer/epoty-competition-details-2011.aspx