Botswana's Wildlife Artist of the year competition 2013

Botswana's got talent. There are many artists in the country and we are looking for creativity in wildlife art in any shape and form. Artists can enter anything from oil paintings to sculptors, pencil to charcoal drawings. The judges will be looking for originality. Each artist may enter a maximum of 3 art pieces (there are no categories). 

There will be an overall winner,second place, third place and two runners up. The result will showcased at the Motsana center in April 2013. 

Cheetah in acrylic. Art courtesy of Kim Thompson

Botswana's Wildlife Short Documentary Maker of the year 2013

This is an exiting, new and bold attempt to get the people of Botswana involved in short documentary making. Many films shot here are not seen when broadcast abroad. Now we are proud to announce that we are opening this art form within the Cameras for Conservation stable. Each documentary submitted may only be a maximum of three minutes. Unique subjects, strong and powerful filming and narration will be judged upon. 

There will be an overall winner, second and third place. The result will showcased at the Motsana center in April 2013.

African Wild Dog. Image courtesy of Steven Stockhall

Botswana's Wildlife Photographer of the year 2013

We are very proud of last year's results and are happy to announce a change in categories for the 2013 competition. Notably, the new Aerial and underwater category and the Man and the environment category. Animal portraits now includes all animals and so does animal behaviour. 

There are eight categories again for 2013. Each category will have an overall winner, a second and third place and two runners up. 

Hyena pups. Image courtesy of Ryan Green - Wildlife Photographer 2012

Hyena on a kill. Image courtesy of Vincent Grafthorst

Animal Portraits:

Here we are looking for unique and interesting ways of capturing the essence of the many and varied mammals in the country. As tempting as it is to want to submit images of the big cats and other large game, please dont forget all the smaller ones like Meerkats and Porcupines. Composition, correct exposure and a sharp image is key to catching the eye of the judges!

Please note: that any animal image can be entered into this category including mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.

Animal Behaviour:
Catching the action for any wildlife photographer bears it own challenges but certainly be on the look out for unique behaviour or an image that will bring attention to the viewer. Again, it need not be of something that is commonly found in the bush, the judges will also take into account the rareity of the species and the photographic challenge behind the image that our judges will recognise. Dont forget that night and flash photography images will definately take you up a notch not only in the challenge of photographing using flash but also because good night images are rare.


Please note: that any animal image can be entered into this category including mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.

African Fish Eagles fighting. Image courtesy of Donovan Drotsky

Makgadikgadi dust storm. Image courtesy of Stuart Arnold

Landscapes:

Botswana is a country of unique and raw beauty. Wherever one looks, the eye is often drawn to it. This genre of photography has many professionals who concentrate on only taking landscape images. In Botswana many images have wildlife in the frame but it does not have to be the main focus of attention but it will be considered a good thing! Our judges are looking for images that are uncommon in perspective and composition as well as correct exposure and sharp focus. 

Aerial and Underwater Photography - NEW CATEGORY


In this exciting new category, we are looking for powerful, strong images from the air and underwater. Many people get to fly around the north of the country in light aircraft and helicopter and so this is a likely way to show off the large tracts of wilderness out there. Getting underwater in the Okavango Delta shows a unique fish eye view of this unique system. As always, the judges are looking for an alluring angle or a unique subject.

The Chobe River from the air. Image courtesy of James Gifford

Dragonfly in Macro. Image courtesy of Dave Luck

Macro and Close-up Photography:

All things small. Yes - frogs, flowers, pods, insects - you name it, its out there and many photographers carry a macro lens to record just that! Composition and depth-of-field along with sharp focus make this catagory a challenging and interesting one. Here it is worth mentioning too that one should not be rushing out to catch small things to photograph in a box or terarium. Indeed all images for the competition may not be taken in captivity. Good luck!

Reptiles and Insects -

There is no shortage of reptiles and insects in the country and at the same token, its no easy task to get a strong image of them. Richard's image of the Golden Orb at right proves it can be done. With summer approaching, out they come and so the timing for getting good shots is there. Unique angles and subject count!

Golden Orb. Image courtesy of Richard Uren

Elephant Trunk. Image courtesy of Stuart Arnold

Black & White Photography - 

This category allows for the creative juices to flow. There is almost no end to what can be achieved in this genre of photography. So get out there and spend some time thinking in black and white - you will be amazed with what can be achieved here.

Mankind and the environment - NEW CATEGORY


Know your impact - its important. We are nothing without an intact and healthy environment. Here we are looking for strong imagery that portrays our impact. This could be images of bush fires, fences, or animals under stress. Its no easy category, but look deeper into what happens around you and you will amazed at what you can see. 

An African Wild Dog skeleton - killed by goat farmers. Image courtesy of Steven Stockhall

Baobab in Savuti. Image courtesy of Steven Stockhall

Trees, Plants and flowers - NEW CATEGORY


A most beautiful Kingdom to portray! Botswana has many species of trees, plants, flowers and fungi! There is plenty of subject matter from landscape to macro and close up. Again, judges will be looking for originality!