Competition Categories

On every entry you will be telling us in which Park you had your Captured Experience, which will automatically put you in line for 7 additional Special Prizes.

1. Landscapes (including Seascapes)
Landscape as well as Seascape photography, as defined for this competition, is intended to show natural scenes and the vast and unending spaces for which the Arid Parks makes an ideal canvas.

No digital manipulation is allowed with the exception of cropping and only minor burning, dodging and/or colour correction. We would like to see little or no human activity in the photos, rather striving to attain pure, unsullied landscapes that are devoid of human influence, using instead as subjects: strongly defined landforms, weather, and ambient light.

All of the Arid Parks offer the best possible opportunities to capture dramatic landscape photography. However the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park with its bare lava mountains, incredible canyon, and colours that change as the sun moves over the sky, must be one of the most awesome places in the world to photograph dramatic landscapes. The Namaqua National Park is the only Park where you can capture seascapes, its rugged undeveloped coastline offers fantastic opportunities for this. See the big five in other parks, and come and see the ‘rare five’ in Mokala National Park.

2. Plant Life
All forms of wild Park botany, which include flowers, succulents, trees and grasslands. Its up to the creativity of the photographer on whether they want to get close to the subjects or stand back and have an overview.

All forms of wild Park botany, which includes flowers, succulents, trees and grasslands are included. It’s up to the creativity of the photographer, whether they want to get close to the subjects or stand back and create an overview.

No images of cultivated plants are allowed and human elements or structures should be avoided. No digital manipulation is allowed with the exception of cropping and only minor burning, dodging and/or colour correction.

Besides the obvious, world-famous, annual flower ‘miracle’ which can be seen every springtime in the Namaqua and Tankwa Karroo National Parks, it should be remembered that both Parks are situated in the succulent Karoo biome and are home to the richest bulb flora of any arid region in the world, therefore offering year-round plant photographic opportunities. The succulents of the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park are also phenomenal. Mokala is the Setswana name for a Camelthorn tree and this park is dominated with beautiful specimens of these trees.

3. Animal Life
Expect to have stiff competition in this popular category. Look for the unusual and remember that we also have an Action and Behaviour category. We would like to see intimate, imaginative and expressive portraits as well as groups of animals.

Expect to have stiff competition in this popular category. Look for the unusual and remember that we also have an Action and Behaviour category. We would like to see intimate, imaginative and expressive portraits, as well as, groups of animals. No images of domesticated animals are allowed and human elements or structures should be avoided.

No digital manipulation is allowed with the exception of cropping and only minor burning, dodging and/or colour correction.

All six of the Parks have fantastic wildlife with the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, perhaps, offering the best of opportunities. But don’t forget that Mokala National Park, which is an important breeding and research area and is home to black and white rhino, buffalo, tsessebe and roan amongst many other species. Remember not to only chase after the big game; a stunning photograph of a mongoose, tree rat or pangolin has as much chance of winning as a Kalahari lion.

4. Birdlife
Judged will be on both the excellence of the photography as well as the uniqueness of the photo. Once again look for the unusual and remember that we also have an Action and Behaviour category. We would like to see intimate, imaginative and expressive portraits as well as flocks of birds.

Judging will be on both the excellence of the photography as well as the uniqueness of the photo. Once again, look for the unusual and remember that we also have an Action and Behaviour category. We would like to see intimate, imaginative and expressive portraits, as well as, flocks of birds.

No images of domesticated or captured birds are allowed and human elements or structures should be avoided. No digital manipulation is allowed with the exception of cropping and only minor burning, dodging and/or colour correction.

It is impossible to single out any one Park, in which to photograph birdlife, as they all offer a wide range of species, from the heaviest flying bird in the world (the kori bustard) to thousands of tiny little sociable weavers that build huge ‘landmark’ nests. The Arid Parks include some of the finest areas in South Africa for viewing birds of prey.

5. Reptiles and Insects
These, usually, but not always, smaller creatures, make unique photographic subjects, and the variety of reptiles and insects in this arid region is quite staggering.

These, usually, but not always, smaller creatures, make unique photographic subjects and the variety of reptiles and insects in this arid region is quite staggering.

No images of domesticated or captured reptiles or insects are allowed and human elements or structures should be avoided. No digital manipulation is allowed with the exception of cropping and only minor burning, dodging and/or colour correction.

The psychedelic coloured flat lizard, commonly found on the rocks next to the Augrabies Falls, makes a lovely subject. Keep an eye out for the more unusual, such as, barking geckos and many species of snakes, spiders and scorpions that live in all of the Arid parks. Remember that many of these species are venomous, so be careful.

6. Action and Behaviour
The photographs in this category could most probably also be entered in the categories 2, 3, 4 & 5 so its importnt to keep in mind that these photos will be judged more on dramatic behaviour and interesting interaction.

The photographs in this category could most probably also be entered in the categories 2, 3, 4 & 5 so its important to keep in mind, that these photos will be judged on dramatic behaviour and interesting interaction.

No images of domesticated or captured animals, birds, insects or birdlife are allowed and human elements or structures should be avoided. No digital manipulation is allowed with the exception of cropping and only minor burning, dodging and/or colour correction.

You will find interesting action and behaviour photographs in all the Parks. Remember to be prepared, as many of these moments are over in a flash. Also, keep an eye out for those possible, humourous moments.

7. People in the Parks
We would like to see images of people enjoying themselves and/or interacting wirh our Parks. This could be enjoying activities such as backpacking, kayaking, 4x4ing or catching another photographer in a compromising position. Or capture people relaxing, braaiing, swimming or even sleeping in camp.

We would like to see images of people enjoying themselves and/or interacting with our Parks. This could be enjoying activities such as backpacking, kayaking, 4x4ing or catching another photographer in a compromising position. Or capture people relaxing, braaiing, swimming or even sleeping in camp.

Just keep in mind that you are not allowed to break Park Rules such as climbing out of your car in forbidden areas, going off roads, feeding animals to get close shots or picking plants.

This is the one category where we obviously want to see human elements or structures. No digital manipulation is allowed with the exception of cropping and only minor burning, dodging and/or colour correction.

8. Macro Nature
Macro photography is close-up photography, so this is your chance to capture nature’s miniature wonders. We would like to see images of plants, insect, reptiles and animals, taken super close-up or with macro lenses.

The classical definition is that the image projected on the digital sensor (or film) is close to the same size as the subject. No images of cultivated plants or domesticated animals are allowed and human elements or structures should be avoided. No digital manipulation is allowed with the exception of cropping and only minor burning, dodging and/or colour correction.

As you need to get close to your subjects you will find it easier to take macro shots in the Parks where you are less restricted in getting out of you car. Therefore you will find it easier to capture macro shots in |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park and the Namaqua, Augrabies Falls and Tankwa Karoo National Parks.

9. Creative Mood
All photographs should be creative but we want you to push the boundaries a bit further here. We would like moody images that tell a story highlighting a park by means of very unusual composition, unique light, dramatic weather etc where the mood becomes the focal point.

This is also the only category where you can digitally manipulate the image beyond just colour correction. The image must, however, have originated from a photograph taken in one of the six Parks and cannot have additional ‘outside’ elements such as drawings or graphics added. So as long as the photograph has been taken in the Park and it captures the feel, the 'wow', the essence and mood of that Park, it can be of any subject matter.

10. Photo Sequences
A photo sequence is a series of photographs dealing with one subject. It may tell a story, present an event or describe a scene but must consist of not less than 3 shots and, because of space restrictions, not more than 5.

A photo sequence is a series of photographs dealing with one subject. It may tell a story, present an event or describe a scene but must consist of not less than 3 shots and, because of storage space restrictions, not more than 5.

This is a great way to depict action scenes and bring them to life, or as in this example: the opening of a flower. The dawning of a new day, animals stalking and catching prey, or young ones playing also make great subject matter. Capture a series of special moments in nature. No images of cultivated plants or domesticated animals are allowed. No digital manipulation is allowed with the exception of cropping and only minor burning, dodging and/or colour correction.

sequences

Special prizes

All entries will automatically be eligible for special prizes for the best overall photographs in the individual Parks. In other words we will be rewarding: