• Nature's Best Photography + African Wildlife Foundation
• Deadline: June 1st, 2022
• Prize: 5,000USD + Travel to Nairobi + Publication
• Theme: Wildlife / Nature / Landscape
• Entry Fees: Yes
• REGISTRATION: CLOSED, Click HERE For More Opportunities •
To celebrate African Wildlife Foundation's 60-year anniversary of visionary conservation leadership, AWF and Nature's Best Photography are working together to bring you the 2nd annual competition. Winners of this year's contest will be revealed at the Nairobi National Museum opening on October 27, 2022. This exhibition will travel to museums and galleries around the world. The program engages and inspires global audiences in crucial conservation support through the documentation of wildlife and wild lands in modern Africa.
What separates the Mkapa Photo Awards from other photo competitions is our core commitment to conservation through categories that are specific to topics of concern in modern Africa. The following categories and the photographic stories they reveal will bring global focus on Africa's wildlife challenges and how to address them, as well as its many benefits and passion for the wild it instills.
COEXISTENCE AND CONFLICT
Wildlife can coexist and even benefit local communities through ecotourism, employment, and development linked to wildlife economies. Conversely, issues such as poaching, bushmeat trade, wildlife trafficking, human/wildlife conflicts and unplanned development threaten not only the future of wildlife but also the continent's most unique economic asset in the unique African wildlife that supports the economy.
AFRICAN CONSERVATION HEROES
Images portray the importance and impact of protected area authorities, conservation organizations, community groups, as well as individual caretakers of wildlife who work in the field as rangers, researchers, veteranarians, conservation professionals, and community activists, or are otherwise devoting their lives to protecting wildlife in Africa.
AFRICAN WILDLIFE AT RISK
Many African animals are threatened, vulnerable, endangered, and critically at risk of extinction. AWF is working every day to protect these species.
FRAGILE WILDERNESS
Dramatic landscapes and awe-inspiring perspectives of Africa's wildlife within their natural habitats.
We also believe including categories that artistically represent the spectacular diversity and beauty of wild Africa are important for broad public engagement and conservation inspiration.
AFRICAN WILDLIFE BEHAVIOR
Behavior of all forms of wildlife found within Africa's diverse ecosystems.
AFRICAN WILDLIFE PORTRAITS
Striking portraits of wildlife made within Africa's native environments. Includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates.
AFRICA'S BACKYARD WILDLIFE
Wild animals living within or alongside urban environments, in or near African villages and cities, in backyards, gardens, and local parks.
ART IN NATURE
Artistic compositions (the colors, forms, textures, patterns, etc.) found in Africa's natural world.
CREATIVE DIGITAL
Any African nature-related image or combination of images that is created and/or manipulated using digital/electronic technology (such as Adobe Photoshop). Let your imagination go wild! Please be ready to provide the details on all techniques used. *EXCEPTION: Panoramic images created by digitally stitching two or more images together may be entered into other categories as appropriate.
AFRICA IN MOTION | VIDEO
Video is an important tool for recording and sharing outdoor experiences, observations, personal storytelling, or stories about conservation efforts in Africa. We are looking for: African wildlife behavior; Natural history research and programs in action; Conservation education efforts in the field or classroom. You may submit: 1. Short films (up to 3 minutes); Short documentaries (2 to 15 minutes) where a focused narrative is shared); Full-length film productions (where a completed story is presented up to 30 minutes). Note: Productions that include music and text must have written permission or rights for distibution online and global exhibition display. See details on the Entry Guidelines.
MOBILE
Photographers using mobile devices may enter their images made in any of the above catgeories.
YOUTH AGE 18 AND YOUNGER
Young photographers are invited to enter their images made in any of the above catgeories. Two Youth Winners are awarded : one living in Africa and one International Youth Winner outside of Africa. There are also Highly Honored images selected from young photographers residing inside and outside of Africa.