Entries have been flooding into BBOWT's 2022 Wildlife Photography Competition - and now summer holidays are here, it's the perfect way to fill the days and get creative while spending time in healing nature.

The Trust is challenging everyone in the three counties, from primary pupils to pensioners, to take pictures of wildlife and people, for a chance to win a top-of-the-range digital camera, a masterclass in wildlife photography and loads more great prizes.

The BBOWT Photography Competition - relaunched for 2022 after a three-year break because of the pandemic - invites people to take amazing pictures of wildlife or scenery at one of the Trust's 86 nature reserves, or capture other people taking action for nature in their community.

Enter the competition here

Entrants can take photos on any device they like, from a professional camera with a zoom lens to a mobile phone, and submit up to four photographs in any of this year's six categories for a chance to win the top prize and a host of runner-up goodies.

The Trust has already had a lot of high-quality entries and organisers are looking forward to judging day. Now the closing date is just a month away (8 September), but people still have the summer holidays to get the perfect shot.

Rachel Levis, BBOWT’s Head of Events, who is overseeing the competition, said:
"We are so excited to be launching this competition again after a hiatus in 2020 and 2021. In previous years, we have seen an astonishing range of talented photographers submit photos from across our three counties, with subjects ranging from macrophotography of tiny grasshoppers to dramatic landscapes and artistic abstract shots.

"We would urge absolutely anyone who likes taking pictures, who loves nature and wildlife, or who has no experience at all but wants to try something new, to have a go. The brilliant thing about nature and wildlife photography is that the subjects are all so beautiful to start with, you don't have to be a professional to capture a winning shot."

Categories

All photographs must be taken on a BBOWT nature reserve, with the exception of this year's new Team Wilder category, for which pictures can be taken anywhere.

• Flora and Fauna  - any plants or animals on a BBOWT nature reserve.

• Nature Reserve Landscapes - taken on any BBOWT reserve capturing the beauty of a landscape or surroundings.

• Team Wilder - People are stepping forward from every sector of society to lead change in their fields and we welcome businesses, schools, communities, and individuals as part of Team Wilder. If you're taking action for nature, no matter how small, you're already a part of #TeamWilder. Send us your photos and show us what you’re  doing to help nature.

• People in Nature - someone in a beautiful location on one of BBOWT’s reserves.

• Children's category - for children aged 6-12. Photos can be on any of the themes in the adult categories above.

• Teenagers category - for ages 13-19. Photos can be on any of the themes in the adult categories above.

The closing date for the Photography Competition is 8 September 2022.

Competition Prizes

The overall winner will receive:

• A Panasonic LUMIX 30x Optical Zoom Camera DC-TZ97EB-K

• Photography workshop with wildlife photographer Steve Gozdz from GG Wildlife Experiences

• Their photo featured in Wild Magazine and the 2023 BBOWT calendar

• Printed canvas of their winning photo

• Certificate

Category winners will receive:

• Photography workshop with wildlife photographer Steve Gozdz from GG Wildlife Experiences

• Printed canvas of their winning photo

•Their photo featured in the 2023 BBOWT calendar

•£10 BBOWT gift voucher

• Certificate

Judges

This year’s competition will be judged by a panel of three experts: Steve Gozdz is a professional wildlife photographer and founder of Reading-based GG Wildlife Experiences, which offers wildlife walks, experiences and photography classes; Ben Vanheems is a wildlife gardener and YouTuber who also compiles BBOWT’s Wild magazine, and Kate Titford is BBOWT’s Senior Communications Officer and a keen wildlife photographer.

Commenting on what he will be looking for in this year’s entries, Steve Gozdz said:
“A great photo makes good use of light, composition and shows creativity. However, most importantly, I will be looking for images that capture ‘the moment’ that encompasses the beauty and essence of the subject matter or the environment.

“You don’t need a fancy camera: even a smart phone can produce some amazing images and give some very different perspectives. Don’t forget - the best camera you can have is the one in your hand.”

The Trust is extremely grateful to GG Wildlife Experiences and Panasonic for sponsoring this year's competition.

Find a map of BBOWT nature reserves at bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves

Enter BBOWT's Wildlife Photography Competition here