The Abigail Rhodes Photography Competition 2024

1. Open category

The subject can be any aspect of North Sutherland and Caithness wildlife. Spoilt for choice! At the end of the article are some winning photos from previous years to start you thinking..

2. ‘Species on the Edge’ category

For this category we are partnering with the Species on the Edge project in our North Coast region. Species on the Edge focuses on Scotland’s spectacular coasts and islands which are amongst the most biodiverse areas in the UK, and a last refuge for some of Scotland’s most threatened species. In the North Coast area the project is taking action for 6 special species – Small blue butterfly, Great yellow bumblebee, Plantain leaf beetle, Purple Oxytropis, Scottish primrose, and Oysterplant.

Guidance

This competition is intended to be fun and entry is free.

Photos should have been taken in Caithness or North Sutherland between Jan 1^st and December 31^st 2024.

Please provide a title or caption for each of your photos.

If you would like the the judge to take it into consideration, you can tell us what type of camera, lens or mobile phone you have used for photography; this is entirely optional.

The categories in this year’s competition are: –

Open: Any wildlife seen in the North Sutherland & Caithness area, e.g. mammal, bird, insect, fish, flowers, trees, fungi, mosses, landscapes, scenery, etc.

Species on the Edge: : Any photo that represents ‘Species on the Edge’ – please provide a title or caption with your photos to explain the link to Species on the Edge. Images might be inspired by:

• our priority species
• the fragility of nature
• conservation in action
• safe havens for species
• threats to nature and people
• your connection to nature
• the value of nature
• life on the edge of Scotland

We realise that not everyone has professional kit. We are not necessarily looking for the sharpest, most technically perfect shot. Pictures from mobile phones, point and shoot/instant cameras and ‘posh gear’ are all welcome! What we really love to see are pictures that showcase the wonderful wild flora and fauna that we are lucky to have in our region.

How to enter

• You can enter up to two photos per category and both categories if you like.
• Please send your entries by 30th January 2025 to: contact@nswg.org.uk
• For each photo please provide:
  • Title or caption
  • Category entered
  • Approximate location where the picture was taken
  • Type of equipment used (this is entirely optional)
  • Your name and contact details
• Large file sizes are no problem provided your internet speed is able to cope, so don’t worry about reducing the size or increasing compression. Please do not send zipped files.

The Prizes

The glory, of course, and it’s fun!

The winner of each category will have their picture featured as our Facebook banner for three months.

There will be a small prize for the winners in each section and the overall winner will receive the Abigail Rhodes Trophy to keep for the year.

Photos submitted in the Species on the Edge category may be used within the project, but permission will be requested from photographers first.

Rules etc.

1. Digital manipulation is not allowed, other than basic cropping, horizon straightening and minor tonal adjustments to reflect the subject as you saw it.
2. Please note that we will not be able to consider photographs with people, especially children, unless the specific written permission of the individuals or parents is included with the entry.
3. Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code at all times. Photograph animals from a safe distance, and remember, if an animal changes behaviour as a result of your presence, you are too close. In line with our general rules on our Facebook group page, photographs of nesting sites and breeding animals will not be allowed. We are primarily a wildlife recording group and this takes precedence over photography.
4. By entering this competition, you agree to North Sutherland Wildlife Group keeping your photographs on file and using them (with credit to you and not for profit) for future promotional purposes online or in the press.
   WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR PICTURES!

Previous winners.