The prestigious annual competition is back for its 10th year, with six categories and a selection of fantastic prizes. Have you got what it takes to win?
Among the most coveted travel photography prizes in the country, and in its 10th year, the National Geographic Traveller Photography Competition 2021, sponsored by Nikon, is now open for entries. Submit your images — taken in the UK or abroad — in up to six categories to be in the running for incredible prizes and for the chance to see your work in the pages of National Geographic Traveller. This year, the categories are: food & travel, urban environments, people, landscape, wildlife and portfolio.
THE PRIZES
Grand prize
One grand prize winner will receive a stylish, state-of-the-art Nikon Z 6II mirrorless camera and 24-70 f/4 lens, worth £2,549. Professional-grade features include a 24.5MP FX-format CMOS sensor, dual card slots and 4K video capacity. With a proven track record of photography innovation and impact over 100+ years, Nikon empowers creators to become the best photographers they can be.
Nordic expert Discover the World is offering our grand prize winner a four-night northern lights holiday for two people in Swedish Lapland. This winter wonderland is the perfect setting for a range of thrilling optional activities and prime aurora viewing. Flying from Manchester or London, you’ll spend three nights in a cosy wooden cabin at Brändön Lodge on the edge of the frozen sea before heading inland for a night in one of the individually themed tree rooms at the unforgettable Treehotel.
Runners up
Five runners up will receive a Nikon D3500 SLR camera and AF-P 18-55mm VR lens, together worth £419. A razor-sharp auto focus system and ergonomic grip mean it’s the perfect tool for on-the-go travel photographers.
THE CATEGORIES
Evocative visual storytelling is a key tenet of our work at National Geographic Traveller. We’re excited to see how you interpret the criteria for our six categories, and look forward to celebrating and sharing your images later in the year.
Entrants must be 18 years old or older and be residents of the UK or Ireland. Photographs should have been taken between 1 January 2020 and 4 July 2021. See Terms and Conditions below for more information.
Food & travel
The very essence of a destination can be discovered by diving into its food culture. In this newly created category, we’re looking for images that tell a story from any stage of the journey from field to fork, from dynamic scenes of harvesters, vintners and fishermen at work to rich shots of bustling markets, smoky street food kitchens, chefs at work or grateful diners.
Urban environments
No two cities are the same: each urban centre has a personality entirely its own, which in turn shapes the lived experience of its citizens. Your composition should capture something of the spirit of the destination, be it figures moving, ant-like, amid striking architecture; people enjoying recreational spaces; or famous thoroughfares depopulated by the pandemic. Offer us a glimpse into an urban world.
People
Some of the world’s most iconic photos are portraits and it’s no wonder — it’s the encounters we have with people that make our travels truly unforgettable. Travel portraiture seeks out the human stories within a destination, responsibly. And the key elements that go into a powerful shot are a compelling subject and an interesting backdrop in which to frame them. Plus, a little serendipity.
Landscape
Mother Nature can be a generous subject, but capturing her beauty isn’t easy. We want images that showcase the natural world in all its glory, executed with flair, creativity and technique. From vast, panoramic vistas to aerial and drone shots that capture the patterns of a terrain, this category is all about offering unusual perspectives on the world around us — one that is both bountiful and threatened.
Wildlife
Witnessing animals in the wild is one of the great joys of travel, and photography has long served to promote the protection of the animal kingdom. But they don’t play by our rules, which makes wildlife photography highly challenging — and rewarding. This category calls for outstanding shots of creatures from air, land and water, be they mammals, birds, insects, amphibians, reptiles or fish.
Portfolio
Shooting a full photography feature for National Geographic Traveller involves telling a story through a series of images. Whether Holi Festival in Kerala or surf culture in Devon, your portfolio of up to 10 images of a single destination will tease out different facets of your narrative and create a nuanced portrait of the place. The images will be judged as a cohesive set, in terms of subject and style.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
By participating in any promotion, entrants are deemed to have accepted these rules and the specific directions/terms and conditions applicable to the relevant promotion, as well as any terms and conditions pertaining to a relevant third party. THE PROMOTER The Promoter is APL Media Limited, Highgate Studios, 53-79 Highgate Road, London NW5 1TL. THE PRIZES There are five (5) runner-up prizes, each consisting of one (1) Nikon D3500 SLR camera and one (1) Nikon AF-P 18-55mm VR lens, together worth £419. The prize includes delivery to the UK or Ireland. The grand prize consists of a four-night Northern Lights holiday for two people in Swedish Lapland worth £4,500. Plus, a Nikon Z 6II mirrorless camera and 24-70 f/4 lens, together worth £2,549, including delivery in the UK or Ireland. GRAND PRIZE The four-night Northern Lights holiday includes: three (3) nights’ full-board accommodation at Brandon Lodge; one (1) night accommodation, including dinner and breakfast, at Treehotel; all transfers in Sweden; and return economy class flights between Heathrow, Stansted or Manchester and Lulea. The grand prize excludes: travel insurance; the cost of any passports, visas, or travel documentation required for the prize winner to travel to Sweden; airport transfers between the prize winner’s home and the departure airport; personal spending money; tips; and any food, drink or activities not mentioned in the prize description. Any additional taxes, costs and expenses incurred during the trip will be the responsibility of the prize winner. The prize is subject to availability for travel between 3 January and 10 February 2022; 1 and 31 March 2022; 3 January and 10 February 2023; or 1 and 31 March 2023. Travel insurance isn’t included but is a condition of travel. Discover the World’s usual booking conditions apply: https://www.discover-the-world.com/booking-conditions/ It’s the winner’s responsibility to check all visa, passport, travel insurance and health requirements are fulfilled. The prize must be booked at least 60 days in advance of the intended date of travel, but the winner should book as early as possible to secure availability The prize is subject to availability and is non-exchangeable, non-transferable and non-refundable. The prize for this competition will be given to the winner as set out in the terms and conditions; the winner must accept the prize in that form. There’s no cash alternative; no alternative will be offered. In the event of cancellation by the winner, for whatever reason, no alternative prize will be given. The prize provider and promoter retain the right to substitute the prize with another prize of similar value in the event that the original prize offered isn’t available. The promoter will not be held liable for a prize if it doesn’t reach the winner for reasons beyond its reasonable control. The winner uses the prize at their own risk. The promoter shall not be liable in any way for any failure, liability or breach by any third party in connection with this competition or prize and accepts no responsibility for any loss, property damage or personal injury suffered by the winner relating to this competition or the prize, except in the case of death or personal injury caused by the promoter’s negligence or fraudulent misrepresentation and, so far as permitted by law, the promoter and its associated companies and agents exclude responsibility and all liabilities arising for reasons beyond its control, including any act or default of any third-party supplier. Read the full details at National Geographic