CIWEM’s Environmental Photographer of the Year encourages entries that are contemporary, creative, resonant, challenging, original and beautiful. But most of all, we want your pictures to inspire people around the world to start taking care of our environment.

STILL PHOTOGRAPHIC CATEGORIES

Each picture must be assigned to only one of the categories below but you may enter multiple pictures across the categories and more than one picture into a category. There is a maximum of seven still images per entrant.

* The Natural World
These images should celebrate the incredible variety and beauty that exists within our natural environment, from the smallest organism to the grandest landscape.

* The Underwater World
Three-quarters of the world’s surface is water and almost half of the world’s population lives on or close to a coastline but, to many, the wonders of the underwater world are virtually unknown. This category allows you to share the incredible secrets the oceans, lakes and even ponds hold, as well as highlight the vital role they play in our world’s survival.

* Mott MacDonald’s Changing Climates
These photographs should illustrate the impacts that climate change is having on our world. This may include places and people that are benefitting from changes, or vulnerable ecosystems and communities which are struggling with the affects. You may wish to examine the interaction between economic development, environmental degradation and social inequity, treating climate change as a human rights issue.

* Quality of Life
Photographs might illustrate a particular way of life in various rural, urban or social environments all over the world. They may examine individual or community lifestyles, working conditions, leisure activities, cultural traditions, spiritual activities, social inequities, racial prejudices or access to natural resources that impact on people’s quality of life, both positively and negatively.

* A View From the Western World
Many of those living in the Western World prosper through political and personal freedom, good health and education but the developed world is also associated with excess and waste, stress, over development and environmental degradation. So this is an opportunity to explore all that is good and bad in Western society, perhaps looking to your local communities, politicians, friends or businesses for inspiration or condemnation. Remember, climate change will affect all of us, not just those in seemingly far off places.

* Building Our Future (New for 2011)
This category is about how we are investing in our future through design, technology and innovation. Photographers could depict successful sustainable design through images of green architecture, landscaping, urban planning, innovative engineering, resource efficiency, new technologies, industrial design and interior design. This is also your opportunity to examine how people interact with their built environment and explore our relationship with nature in our towns and cities.

CIWEM’s Young Environmental Photographer of the Year

The Young Environmental Photographer of the Year is separated into two groups, allowing you a greater chance to compete with your contemporaries. CIWEM’s Young Environmental Photographer of the Year will be chosen from between the two winners of each age group.

* Young Environmental Photographer of the Year – Under 16
You are free to take pictures of anything that excites or interests you about our environment. We would love to see your pictures of wildlife, parks, buildings, your garden or your holidays. But remember – the more creative, the better. This category is open to anyone under 16 as of the 31st July 2011.

* Young Environmental Photographer of the Year – Under 21
Although this section has no thematic boundaries, we encourage entries that highlight issues important to you and your generation. This might include things you’ve seen on your travels, inspirational people, places and events, or environmental deterioration in your local area. This category is open to anyone under 21 as of the 31st July 2011.