Three Weeks and Counting

Posted in Programs and Events on October 10 2013, by Matt Newman

Our “Nature’s Pharmacy” photo exhibition may have taken its leave from the Ross Gallery just as summer’s Wild Medicine bowed out, but it was only one small aspect of the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition. Meanwhile, the annual, worldwide quest to uncover the best of the best among nature photographers muscles onward, and 2013’s window for entry is swiftly closing. It only takes one pristine picture to gain recognition in the contest, of course, so don’t let the schedule pressure you out of the race!

With only three weeks left until the October 31 deadline, the heat is on for the globe’s up and coming shutterbugs to flaunt their mettle, whether that’s photographing a rustic onion harvest in an idyllic home garden or braving a cavernous woodland for a shot at a family of pallid mushrooms. With over $20,000 in cash and prizes on the line for participants, this challenge isn’t one you should brush off lightly. And whatever your nature photography draws you to, chances are good that there’s an IGPOTY category to accommodate it, including those below.

• • The Beauty of Plants
• • Wildflower Landscapes
• • Greening the City
• • Beautiful Gardens
• • Wildlife in the Garden
• • Trees, Woods, Forests
• • Breathing Spaces
• • The Bountiful Earth

Photographers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to submit their work for judging, after which they’ll be offered critiques and advice from expert judges. Even if you don’t take a podium spot you’re still working to better your photography. And as the sole U.S. partner to IGPOTY, the NYBG can certainly vouch for the quality and significance of this competition. The cash purse up for grabs isn’t even the end game—each grand prize winner takes home a copy of next year’s exhibition book and a bounty of recognition for his or her work thanks to the touring exhibition opening next February, displaying the winning photographs in such famed locations as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh; Sydney Botanic Garden, Australia; and Schlosspark Dennehlohe, Germany. It’s pretty high up there on the scale of nature photographer celebrity, to say the least.

Again, there are only three weeks left of the 2013 submission window for you to get your work in, so don’t dawdle! This contest may take place each and every year, but that doesn’t make a missed opportunity any less unfortunate. Especially when you could be building up a whole new camera kit with your winnings. Check out the official IGPOTY page for registration information, prize packages, and photos from past winners.