From forests to farmlands, from freshwater to oceans, the vitality and diversity of Earth’s ecosystems are the basis of human prosperity and well-being. Yet, we are degrading these precious resources in alarming ways. Rivers are running dry, fields are barren, clouds are empty, seas are sewage-ridden, the air is unfit to breathe, forests are vanishing, and the globe is warming up to dangerous degrees. We have reached the point of no return.
Conservation alone cannot save Mother Nature. It’s high time we took positive action to prevent, halt and reverse the loss of ecosystems. People around the world, individually and collectively, have started restoration processes – in their backyards and neighbourhoods, in forests and water bodies, in urban and suburban ecosystems.
For the past 12 years, Greenstorm has engaged millions of creative minds worldwide, urging them to express their love of nature while spreading the message to preserve it.
XIII Greenstorm Nature Photography Contest invites shutterbugs – amateurs and professionals – from around the world to click and submit stories of restoration that you may have witnessed or been part of. Let your photographs inform, inspire and instigate people in other parts of the world to restore their ecosystems. Watch your picture stories together blow up into a mighty saga of change!
1. What is the theme for this year’s photography contest?
A: “Restore Green Lineage”. Inspired by the UN WED theme – ‘Restore Ecosystems.’
2. When does the contest begin?
A: The contest will begin from the 5th of June 2021 (World Environment Day) till the 30th of June 2021.
3. How do I submit my entries for the contest?
A: The entries for the contest can be uploaded to the website www.greenstorm.green with a description of not more than 300 words. The images must be in JPEG format and should be below 2 MB in size.
4. Who can participate in the contest?
A: Anyone except the members of the Greenstorm Foundation can participate.
5. How many entries can be submitted?
A: There are no restrictions on the number of entries. One can submit as many entries for the contest.
6. Is there an entry fee for the contest?
A: The entry to the contest is free. All you have to do is take the pictures and upload them to our website www.greenstorm.green
7. What is the reward for the winners?
A: The finalists ( the entries shortlisted for the exhibition) and the first three winners will be recognised in an Online Award Ceremony held in November or December 2021. The first three winners will be awarded a cash prize of Rs. 50,000; Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 20,000 respectively.
8. What all can be included in the picture?
A: As long as it fits in with the theme of restoring and resetting humanity’s relationship with nature, the possibilities are endless. It can be straightforward, like an image of a restoration project or abstract or symbolic expressions of restoration. It’s all up to you! Please follow our social media handles, where we have showcased many examples ( Sample images and stories of restoration projects)
9. How can I know the updates of the contest?
A: To know about the updates of the contest, you can visit our website www.greenstorm.green, or follow our social media handles. If you are shortlisted, a confirmation will be sent to you via the email provided to us.
10. Is public vote a criterion for selection?
A: The three-member Jury will shortlist the images for the Online Exhibition ( 30 -50 images), which will be held in August / September 2021. The shortlisted photos will be exhibited on our website www.greenstorm.green for the public to vote.
The winners will be chosen based on the marks awarded by the jury and through public votes gained through the exhibition.
11. Who are the Jury members?
A: Mr Prathap Suthan, a renowned Advertising Guru, would be the chairman of the three-member Jury. The other two members are Ms Aishwarya Sridhar, a young award-winning wildlife photographer, writer and speaker, and Mr Michael Little, a notable American landscape architect known for ecological restoration projects.
12. What are the terms and conditions?
A: There are a few terms and conditions for the contest:
The photograph must an original taken by the contestant.
Plagiarised photos will be disqualified.
The entries should not have any identification details of the contestant.
Entries must be made before midnight of 30th June 2021.
The jury’s decision would be final and conclusive.
While entering the contest, the participant agrees that the image becomes the property of Greenstorm Foundation and can be displayed or featured in any media, websites, etc., at the Foundation’s sole discretion.
Candidates would be expected to submit original photographs of high resolution on request.
