Smithsonian Magazine Annual Photo Contest 2024 ($2,500 prize)

Get latest opportunities in your email

About Smithsonian Magazine Annual Photo Contest

Over the last 20 years, readers have submitted more than 470,000 images to Smithsonian's annual photo contest. These photos have transported us to the far corners of Earth, captured spectacular, split-second moments and introduced us to fascinating people and unique landscapes. The following six contest categories are drawn from subiects of special interest to Smithsonian magazine:

• Natural World: Animals, plants and landscapes; geological or climatological features; and scientific processes and endeavors.
• Travel: Locales, peoples or activities in the United States and abroad that convey a sense of place.
• People: Portraits and photos of groups or individuals.
• The American Experience: Events, objects or activities connecting the American people to their history or their cultural heritage; photographs that tell us what it means to be an American and provide a sense of what it is like to live in this country.
• Artistic Images: Visuals that use photography as a creative and imaginative platform to express an idea or concept. These images can be manipulated in any method, either through photo editing software or other techniques.
• Drone/Aerial: Any photograph captured using an unmanned aerial vehicle, commonly known as a drone. Images shot from planes/helicopters are also accepted.

• Sponsor Organisation: Smithsonian Institution

Benefits of Smithsonian Magazine Annual Photo Contest

• Grand Prize winner: $2,500
• Category winners: $500
• Readers' Choice winner: $500

Smithsonian Magazine Annual Photo Contest Requirements

• The Grand Prize, Readers' Choice prize, Natural World, Travel, People, The American Experience, Artistic Images and Drone/Aerial category prizes are open to photographers who are 18 years old or older.
• Individuals affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, including employees, emeriti, Regents, trustees, interns, volunteers, fellows, research associates and their immediate families (children, parents, siblings and spouses) and others living in their households are not eligible for any prize.
• To be eligible for any category, a photograph must have been shot by the entrant since January 1, 2021. This date applies to all images in a composite. The contestant certifies that he/she is the sole creator and copyright owner of the submitted photograph.
• Cropped photos are eligible in all categories. Minor adjustments, including the removal of sensor dust or scratches on scans of negatives, dodging and burning, sharpening, contrast, toning, slight color adjustment and conversion to grayscale are acceptable for all categories. The addition and subtraction of obiects is not permitted except in the Artistic Images category. If the judges determine that a photographer has altered his or her photo beyond normal photojournalism best practices, they reserve the right to move the photo to Artistic Images or to disqualify it. Image composites including HDR and stitched panoramas will be judged as Artistic Images. Images generated using Artificial Intelligence (Al) are not permitted.
• The Smithsonian will determine winners' eligibility in its sole discretion.

Application Date and Process

• Click on the link to the application website to apply.

By submitting an entry, each contestant agrees to the rules of the contest and states that he or she is 18 years old or older.

Application Deadline

02 December, 2024

Scholarship Application Portal

View details of Smithsonian Magazine Annual Photo Contest

Apply for Smithsonian Magazine Annual Photo Contest