Great Outdoors Photography Competition 2026
We want to see your best images celebrating the great outdoors. From dramatic landscapes and beautiful countryside to outdoor adventures, wildlife encounters and unforgettable moments in nature, we're looking for photographs that capture what makes the outdoors so special.
Enter the CompetitionShow Us Your View of the Great Outdoors
Whether you've travelled to an incredible location or discovered something closer to home, your image should showcase the beauty, atmosphere or adventure of the natural world.
From sweeping vistas to intimate details, we're looking for photographs that capture your personal experience of the great outdoors. Your entry might feature a spectacular landscape, a quiet moment in the countryside, a dramatic coastline or an unexpected encounter with wildlife.
Outdoor photography can also be about people and experiences. Show us outdoor adventures, changing weather, places that inspire you or those fleeting moments that make spending time in nature memorable.
What Are We Looking For?
The great outdoors offers endless opportunities for photography. Your image can interpret the subject in any way you choose, from grand landscapes to small details that reveal the character of the natural world.
Dramatic Landscapes
Capture sweeping vistas, dramatic scenery and spectacular landscapes that make the viewer feel as though they are standing there with you.
Countryside & Nature
Show us beautiful countryside, forests, fields, natural details and the quiet beauty found in the world around us.
Coastlines & Seascapes
From rugged coastlines to peaceful beaches and powerful seas, capture the atmosphere and character of the coast.
Adventure
Show the excitement of being outdoors through hiking, climbing, cycling, water sports, exploration and other outdoor adventures.
Wildlife Encounters
Capture wildlife in its natural environment and the unexpected encounters that make exploring the outdoors so rewarding.
Weather & Atmosphere
Storms, mist, sunshine, changing skies and dramatic weather can transform an outdoor scene. Use them to create mood and atmosphere.
How Can You Improve Your Chances?
Think about more than simply finding a beautiful view. Consider how you can use photography to communicate what it felt like to experience the scene.
Make the most of the light — Outdoor photography can be transformed by beautiful natural light. Early mornings, late afternoons and changing weather can add atmosphere, depth and drama to your images.
Think about your composition — Look for strong foregrounds, interesting viewpoints, leading lines and natural frames to draw the viewer into the scene.
Show a sense of place — Don't just capture a beautiful view; try to communicate what it felt like to be there. Weather, light, scale and atmosphere can all help bring an outdoor image to life.
Look beyond the obvious — The great outdoors isn't only about sweeping landscapes. Look for interesting details, textures, patterns, wildlife, people enjoying the outdoors and unexpected moments.
Get creative — Experiment with different perspectives, focal lengths and compositions. Take time to process your image and make the most of the colour, contrast, detail and atmosphere captured in camera.
Enter for Just £1 Per Image
Enter as many images as you like in the Great Outdoors Photography Competition. There is no limit on the number of images you can submit, and each image costs just £1 to enter.
Once you have completed the entry form, you will be guided to the payment option for additional images.
Enter NowWant to see the photographs already entered?
Competition Prizes
The top three photographers will receive complimentary Digital Membership of any of our Societies, together with access to a range of membership benefits.
Overall Winner
One year free Digital Membership of any of our Societies, including entry to membership-only competitions, access to the members' photography forum, members-only Facebook group, directory listing and qualifications and distinctions through submission of images.
Second Place
Six months free Digital Membership of any of our Societies, including the same range of membership benefits.
Third Place
Six months free Digital Membership of any of our Societies, including the same range of membership benefits.
- Entry to our membership-only competitions
- Unrestricted access to our members' photography forum
- Access to our members-only Facebook group
- Listing on our photography directory
- Qualifications and distinctions through submission of images
- Professional Imagemaker digital magazine for the relevant membership period
No cash alternatives will be given.
Don't Miss the Deadline
Choose your favourite photographs of the great outdoors and enter before the competition closes.
The Competition Rules
- Enter as many images as you like.
- The work must be that of the entrant.
- No entry will be eligible if it has been made under the supervision of an instructor or as a class assignment.
- Images submitted must be no larger than 2000 pixels wide.
- All entrants must be able to supply a high-resolution image at 300dpi.
- No distinguishing marks should appear on the images.
- Copyright of the images remains with the photographer. The Societies recognises that the entrant, as the author of the photograph, retains complete and full ownership of the copyright in each submission.
- Entries can be used by The Societies for publicity purposes and may be included in our digital magazine, Professional Imagemaker, and for other promotional purposes.
- The competition closes on 30 November 2026.
- The judge's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to enter?
Entry costs just £1 per image.
How many images can I enter?
There is no limit on the number of images you can enter. You can submit as many photographs as you like, with each image costing £1.
What type of outdoor photography can I enter?
We're looking for photographs celebrating the great outdoors, including landscapes, countryside, coastlines, seascapes, mountains, forests, wildlife, outdoor adventures, changing weather and other moments in nature.
Can I enter photographs taken close to home?
Absolutely. You don't need to have travelled to an exotic destination. Some of the most compelling outdoor photographs can be found close to home. We're interested in your interpretation of the great outdoors wherever you find it.
What size should my image be?
Submitted images must be no larger than 2000 pixels wide. Entrants must also be able to supply a high-resolution version at 300dpi.
When does the competition close?
The Great Outdoors Photography Competition closes on 30 November 2026.
Do I retain copyright of my photograph?
Yes. Copyright remains with the photographer. Images may be used by The Societies for publicity and promotional purposes as outlined in the competition rules.
Ready to Celebrate the Great Outdoors?
Show us the landscapes, adventures, wildlife and moments in nature that inspire you.
Enter the Competition
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