How often can you turn $10 into $1000 with just one beautiful image? Anyone who enters Denver Audubon Society’s first-ever International Nature Photography Contest has an equal chance of doing so. $1000 is the top cash prize among ten that will be awarded in addition to recognition for the top 250 images selected by our prestigious team of judges, George Lepp, Helen Gilks and Jeff Foott.

Who says nature doesn’t pay? Nature buffs should sort through the pictures they have taken and pick out the best, the beautiful, the unusual, the favorites. Any image of the natural world will do – that includes landscapes, flowers, wildlife, macro shots, aerials, behaviors, portraits, underwater, abstracts, black & whites – even urban wildlife – as long as nature is the prime feature.

People may enter as many images as they’d like in the Share the View contest for an entry fee of $10 per image. Not only will they have the chance to win some big bucks, but if they place in the top 250, they will receive a Certificate of Merit and their image will appear on the contest website throughout 2012. One of the top 250 will be featured per day and all will be accompanied by the photographer’s name, contact information and website link (if requested).

Photographers should be sure that the image is in keeping with the theme of nature and wildlife. All entries should accurately reflect the subject matter and scene as it actually appeared when captured with the camera. Photos may NOT be digitally altered beyond standard processing and optimization. Domestic animals and plants, people, and the “hand of man” may be included, but wildlife, landscape or nature must be the featured element.

The contest will accept images of animals from wildlife sanctuaries, zoos and rehabilitation facilities, but judges will be instructed to favor photographs of animals in the wild over those in controlled conditions. They will not accept any images that obviously involved a photographer over-stressing an animal. Game farm animals are not allowed – game farms are defined as private for-profit operations whose primary income is generated from hiring out captive animals for photography, videography and film-making.

Proceeds from the contest will go to support ASGD education, conservation and research programs – a great way to support a premier nature organization, show the beauty of your surroundings, and strive for recognition of your photographic efforts.