Wetlands Photo Contest
This competition celebrates the ecological, cultural, and social value of wetlands, highlighting how traditional knowledge, practices, techniques, and rituals of local and Indigenous communities' safeguards wetland ecosystems from India. Entries should highlight the rich biodiversity and interconnectedness of India’s wetlands to other ecosystems, and/or the cultural heritage linked to wetland stewardship. Both nature and community photographs are welcome. The three broad categories for which submissions are welcome -
Wetland Landscapes: Rivers, marshes, mangroves, peatlands, estuaries, lakes, salt pans, lagoons, riverine floodplains.
Wetlands Biodiversity: Flora, fauna, macro/micro life, species interactions, life cycles.
Culture & Traditional Knowledge: Practices, tools, skills, festivals, livelihoods, crafts, and community stewardship action tied to wetlands (ensure respectful representation).
The entries will be showcased at a public event in Chennai, where the top three winners in each category will be awarded. Selected entries may also have their photographs printed as postcards with appropriate credits.
Winners Announced!
- Open to Indian residents, 18 years and older
- Images captured using DSLR, mirrorless, film, drone, or mobile devices are accepted.
- Colour and Black & White images permitted.
- Images need to have been taken within the period of one year, i.e. 1 Jan 2025 to 31 Jan 2026
- Images previously awarded a top prize in another contest are not eligible.
- If identifiable people appear in your photograph, you must have consent from the model and provide it upon request
- Images must of India’s wetlands
Entry Categories
Categories: Participants may enter only one category.
- Professional: Photographers earning more than 50% of their income from photography.
- Amateur: All other participants.
Evaluation criteria:
- Relevance to theme & scientific/cultural insight
- Composition & technical excellence
- Originality & impact
- Storytelling & caption quality
Awards:
- Entries will be judged by a panel of nature photographers, photojournalists, and experts in conservation of wetland science. Judges' decisions are final.
- Top 3 photographs will be awarded within each category
- Honourable mentions may include Young Photographer Recognition or Conservation Impact Award, at the jury’s discretion between both categories
Editing Rules
Permitted:
- Minor exposure, contrast, colour correction
- Cropping and straightening
- Local dodging/burning
- Dust spot or sensor mark removal
Not permitted:
- Adding, removing, moving, or replacing elements
- Composites or heavy manipulation
- Altering the scene in a misleading way
AI-generated or AI-assisted images are strictly prohibited. All submissions must be photographs of real scenes captured by the photographer. Use of AI tools to create, replace, or substantially alter subjects or environments is forbidden. Any suspected violation will result in immediate disqualification.
The organizers reserve the right to disqualify entries that violate rules, ethical standards, or submission requirements.
Do no harm. Images must not depict or result from practices that harass, bait, trap, damage habitat, disturb nesting/denning, or otherwise harm wildlife or ecosystems. Use of live bait or staged captivity not disclosed is prohibited.
Respect people and culture. Seek informed consent where appropriate; portray traditions respectfully and avoid misrepresentation or exploitation. Follow local customs and community protocols.
Follow laws & site rules. Obey protected‑area guidelines, community access norms, drone regulations, and no‑entry zones. Unethical or illegal practices lead to disqualification.
You retain copyright. Photographers keep full copyright of their images.
License to Organizer: By entering, you grant MSSRF a non‑exclusive, royalty‑free license to use winning/shortlisted images to administer and promote this competition and World Wetland Day educational outreach (website, social media, exhibitions, reports, calanders, media kits), with credit to the photographer. No resale or third‑party licensing by MSSRF; third‑party requests will be referred to you.
Your personal data submitted while filling the form will be used only to administer the competition, contact winners, and manage exhibition/promotion related to this event. Data will not be sold.