There are a number of places where plant photographers can compete to win awards and acclaim. We list some of the best ones below.
International Garden Photographer of the Year 2014
Over the last 7 years this competition seems to have grown exponentially, originally a small affair it now appears to be the most efficient and high profile plant photography competition in the world. Its association with Kew Gardens no doubt a factor. It is credit to the organisers that they identified the demand and are doing such an excellent job of both meeting and developing it. Personal feedback to all entrants is a great attraction, as is the fact that wild plants and habitats are often represented too. Plant Curator would perhaps like to see some more avant-garde categories, but can’t at this moment envisage what exactly they might be, and with IGPOTY’s current growth rate, they will surely think of them first.
Website
This years deadline: 31st October 2014
Top Prize: £5,000
Entry Fee: £10 for four photos
Categories: The Beauty of Plants, Beautiful Gardens, Wildlife in the Garden, Breathing Spaces, Bountiful Earth, Trees Woods Forests, Wildflower Landscapes, Greening the City, Photo Projects
Data manipulation allowed: Yes
Last year’s winner was: My Prairie Garden by Rosanna Castrini
RHS Plant Photographer of the Year 2014
Receiving an award from the RHS for anything plant-related will bring much credibility and honour. As one of the UK’s eminent plant institutions they sure do know how to put on a competition and then value and promote the winners. Success here will be a classy affair, but the winner will most likely be someone who fits in with what the RHS stands for – great British horticulture.
Website
This years deadline: 2nd November 2014
Top Prize: £2000
Entry Fee: £5 member / £6 non-member per photo
Categories: Plants, Abstracts and Details, Celebrating Gardens, Seasons, Wildlife
Data manipulation allowed: Yes
Last year’s winner was: Foxgloves at Great Dixter House by Heather Buckley
BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine photo competition 2014
Another great institution that would be great to be associated with. Wild plant photographers may have less luck but you never know.
Website
This years deadline: 1st September 2014
Top Prize: Nikon D5300 camera and 18-55mm VR lens, worth £829.99
Entry Fee: Free!
Categories: General horticulture
Data manipulation allowed: Not mentioned
Last year’s winner was: Don’t think there was one.
Horticulture’s Garden Photo Contest 2014
This one is american but open to all. Time to enter those quaint english cottage garden shots with a couple of tea-sipping pensioners or perhaps take a trip to the states.
Website
This years deadline: 15th August 2014
Top Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: Free!
Categories: Nature’s Bounty, Gardens of the South, City Gardens, Small-Space Gardens, The Garden Landscape, Wildlife in the Garden, Beauty in the Details
Data manipulation allowed: Not mentioned
Last year’s winner was: Don’t think there was one
Sony World Photography Awards 2015
Another rather prestigious competition that will get you much media coverage if successful.
Website
This years deadline: 5th January 2015
Top Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: 3 photos for free, more if member
Categories: Includes Nature & Wildlife but plants also may feature in all the others (see website for details).
Data manipulation allowed: Not mentioned.. so yes.
Last year’s winner was: Gert van den Bosch (Nature & Wildlife category).
Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition
There are a number of these microphotography competitions if you are so inclined and this is one of the best. You need a super-dooper light microscope thingy of course and it’s not all plants as any organism is allowed (a marine diatom won last year), but plant bits tend to do well.
Website
This years deadline: 30th April 2015
Top Prize: $3,000 toward the purchase of Nikon equipment.
Entry Fee: Free (up to 3 images per person)
Categories: General
Data manipulation allowed: Doesn’t say
Last year’s highest plant winner was: Magdalena Turzańska’s Barbilophozia sp. in 9th place
Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh
Website
It looks like you may have to visit to enter this one! Who doesn’t want to go to Edinburgh.