What are the hallmarks of a winning image in Smithsonian magazine’s photo contest? Technical quality, clarity and composition are all important, but so too is a flair for the unexpected and the ability to capture a picture-perfect moment. Over the past ten years, our judges have seen over 235,000 photographs from more than 90 countries and we once again look forward to viewing the world through your own unique lens.

The five contest categories are drawn from those subjects of special interest to the Smithsonian magazine:

Americana—Events, objects or activities connecting the American people to their history or their cultural heritage.

The Natural World—Animals, plants and landscapes; geological or climatological features; and scientific processes and endeavors.

People—Individuals from all walks of life.

Altered Images—Photographs manipulated for artistic purposes by applying digital and/or traditional special effects (i.e. colorizing, toning, collage, photo composites, HDR, etc.).

Travel—Locales, peoples or activities in the United States and abroad that convey a sense of place