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INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the most captivating visual celebration of the UK’s wild deer – the BDS Photographer of the Year competition! Join us in harnessing the power of your lens to tell the mesmerising tales of these majestic creatures and support our mission of nurturing a harmonious connection between wild deer and their environment.

WHY PARTICIPATE?

 Show Your Love
Express your passion for the UK’s wild deer through the art of photography.

 Inspire Empathy
Your images have the incredible potential to foster empathy and understanding towards our diverse deer species.

 Make a Difference
Contribute to our charity initiatives, and your winning photos may grace the pages of our prestigious BDS charity calendar.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

BDS Members:
Submit your entries before Midnight, 30th April 2024.

Non-Members:
Join BDS now to unleash your photography skills and be part of this extraordinary visual journey.

COMPETITION CATEGORIES: "BDS DEER PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR"

  1. Deer Through the Year
    Capture the changing seasons and moods of wild deer throughout the year.

  2. A Home For Deer
    Showcase the diverse and beautiful habitats that wild deer call home.

  3. Deer in Action
    Freeze a moment of dynamic movement and energy in the lives of wild deer.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Photographers will be evaluated based on:

  • Adherence to Theme: How well the photograph reflects the chosen category.
  • Composition and Creativity: The artistic arrangement of visual elements and the innovative use of photography techniques.
  • Technical Excellence: The proficiency in handling camera settings, lighting, and overall technical skill.
  • Emotional Impact: The ability of the photograph to evoke emotions and connect with the viewer.
  • Relevance to BDS’s Mission: The extent to which the photograph aligns with the BDS mission of promoting the welfare and understanding of wild deer.

RECOGNITION AND PRIZES

  • Exclusive Calendar Feature: Your winning photograph could be a highlight in our BDS calendar, shared far and wide.
  • Showcase Across Platforms: Your talent will shine on BDS platforms, gaining exposure to a wider audience.
  • Prizes: Unleash your creativity for a chance to win a prize!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

  • Submissions Open: Now
  • Submission Deadline: Midnight, 30th April 2024
  • Winners Announcement: June 2024

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: YOUR GUIDE TO SUCCESS

 Eligibility

  • Open to fully paid-up BDS members at the time of submission.
  • Adhere to the BDS code of conduct and obtain legal permission from landowners.
  • Submit up to three captivating images per category.
  • AI-generated images will not be eligible for submission.

 Submission Guidelines

  • Feature live wild or park deer, showcasing the UK’s recognised wild deer species.
  • Capture images legally and ethically, respecting the welfare of the deer.
  • Submit high-quality digital images (300 dpi or higher) via email or our user-friendly online submission form.

 Rights and Use

  • Entrants retain sole copyright for each submitted image.
  • Winning photographs may be exhibited, published on the BDS website, DEER magazine, and social channels.
  • Grant BDS permission to use your images to support its work, including the creation of the annual wild deer calendar.

 Prizes and Recognition

  • First, second, and third places awarded in each category.
  • Special prizes for BDS Deer Photographer of the Year and overall winners.
  • Winners recognised on the BDS website, social media, and receive certificates of achievement.

 General Conditions

  • Judges’ decisions are final – embrace the excitement of the competition!
  • Open to everyone (except organising members, BDS staff, judges, and sponsors).
  • Follow the submission guidelines to avoid exclusion from this thrilling event.

Submitting an Entry

Entries can be submitted online via our dedicated submission form or via email. If you are submitting via email please ensure the image name includes:

  • Image title
  • Photographer’s name
  • Membership number

Contest photographs must be saved in a suitable image format (png, tiff or jpg/jpeg), 300 dpi or higher and the size of the files should not be less than 2 Mb. Large files can be zipped (compressed) for easier transfer.

Images must be emailed to photography@bds.org.uk

The subject of the email should be BDS Photographer of the Year

The body of the email must include:

  • Member’s name
  • Membership number
  • Address
  • Telephone number
  • Photo Details – Please tell us about your photos including location, date and which categories you would like to enter.
  • Technical Details – Please tell us more about the technical equipment used to take your photos (optional).
  • Confirmation of Copyright, Permissions and T&Cs*

*You must also confirm the following:

  • That you hold the sole copyright of each photo you entered.
  • That you grant The British Deer Society permission to use and share any photos submitted to support the work of the charity and the benefit of deer.
  • That you have read and agree to the BDS Competition Terms and Conditions.

Failure to include any of these details may result in images being excluded from the competition.

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