Category Youth

• All photos must be taken by the participant, who must hold all rights to the images

• Previously published and awarded photos are also eligible

• If identifiable people appear in the photos, the participant must have their permission for publication

• Photos taken at any time are accepted

• Photos can be taken anywhere in the world

• The competition is open to everyone regardless of residence or nationality

How to name your photo

• Do not include the photographer’s name, watermark, or logo in the images.

• Name the image files using the category and the title of the work. Example: youth_ladysslipper

Participation is free for the Youth Category. The age limit is 16 years (born in 2010 or later).

Only basic image editing is allowed (e.g. cropping, sharpening, tone and brightness adjustments, moderate local edits, removal of sensor dust and noise).
Converting to black and white or toned images is allowed.
Panorama stitching, HDR, and focus stacking are permitted for landscape photos.

• Image shape/format is free

• Manipulated images using image editing software are not allowed

• Entries must be submitted as digital files in high-quality JPG format

• The long edge should be 1920 pixels (width or height)

• Files can also be digitized from slides or negatives

Original files

• Do not submit original files with your entry

• Winners will be asked to provide original files in August after judging is complete

• Originals must be submitted within one week of the request

• The original file must be the unedited file straight from the camera (RAW, DNG, CR2, NEF, TIF, etc.).
  For scanned slides or negatives, the original is the slide or negative

Winners will be selected by a jury consisting of Jaana Kotamäki (Chair, Professional Nature Photographer ), Jarmo Manninen (Professional Nature Photographer) and Ari-Matti Nikula (Photography Teacher).
Judging will take place after the submission deadline. Winners will be contacted during the following week.

Three top images will be awarded:

• 1st prize: €500 (Hannu Hautala Foundation) and an opportunity for a digital exhibition at the Hannu Hautala Nature Photo Center.

• 2nd prize: €300 (Summer University of Northern Ostrobothnia)

• 3rd prize: €100 (Hannu Hautala Foundation)

All three top photographers will be invited as special guests to the Kuusamo Nature Photo event. Placement of all winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at Kuusamotalo.

• Photographers retain full rights to their own submitted images.

• All images must be taken by the participant, who must have full rights to them.

• If recognizable persons appear in the image, consent must be obtained.

• Participants are responsible for the appropriateness of their image content.

The organizer has the right to publish the names of the winners in their chosen communication and marketing channels.
Winning photos may be used in marketing and as part of the event’s content, e.g., in exhibitions or slideshows featuring the awarded photos.

The organizer is not responsible for technical issues causing entries not to be received.
The organizer reserves the right to disqualify anyone who breaks the rules or is suspected of unfair behavior.

By participating, entrants agree to the competition rules and decisions of the organizer.

The organizer will not collect participants’ contact information, pseudonyms, or other personal data for direct marketing. Information will be used solely for the implementation of the competition and delivery of prizes to the winners.

The organizer reserves the right to make changes to the competition.