Kgalagadi photo competition Now, R300 000 worth of prizes! The all new larger better,  2024/25 competition has opened.

Rules of the competition 
Entries Open: 1 Jul 2024

Closing date: TBC

Prize giving event: ( exact dates to be announced later) to be advised

Entry fee: R300 entry fee for annual competition to be illegible  for prizes. 

What does the competition entail?

• The 2024/5 Wildlife photographic Competition is  sponsored by CatfishJoe productions  and the  and Joe's camera YouTube channel. 

• You can enter any categories above. You can enter only once but your chances increases significantly if you enter every month.

• This competition launches the annual photographic celebration of the creative and unique diversity of the magical Kgalagadi region .

• Entering the competition is simple. Pay R300 once off for the whole years entries with one click at the bottom of entry form. (3 per month)

• The story is just as important, ad your story or poem to each image and win prizes.

• Monthly judging will take place. The competition is covered throughout the year and Monthly  videos are produced of the selection process with critique on Joe's Camera on YouTube.

Rules of the competition

General

• Entrants must be over 18 years of age or if younger with permission of parent. Prove will be required that entrants are duly authorized to participate in the competition.

• Photographers from any country may enter.

• All submissions must be the photographer’s own work and he/she must be able to supply RAW or original files when requested.

• No submissions on behalf of someone else are permitted.

• Photographers entering agree that the image is large enough and sharp enough to be printed on a A1 at least.

• All required caption, personal and technical information must be supplied by the photographer on the requested platform and any further verification where and when required by the organizers.

• Photographers must obtain all and any permission necessary and where required in their private capacity to photograph any subject matter, be it human or animal, before entering the competition.

• KgalagadiPhotography.com or any of its associates, members, owners or sponsors will bear any legal responsibility for images published in any media, print or social. Failure to obtain relevant permissions which might hamper the flow of the competition might lead to immediate disqualification.

• The organizers do not retain copyright to your photographs outside of the Kgalagadi photography and Joe's camera structure (Kgalagadi monthly feature, social media posts, and advertisements.) Your photograph can be used to further advertise the competition and the related social media platforms such as facebook but be credited with your details when and wherever featured.

• Monthly finalist winners will be announced and featured on the KgalagadiPhotography.com social media pages.

Entries

• If your image has won, or placed, in any previous photographic competition, information thereof must be declared upon entry. Similarly, images that have been published, either in print or online, must be accompanied by a declaration (please include details of publication and date). Judges reserve the right to exclude any images deemed to have been used or appeared in public extensively.

• If the image you entered is chosen for publication by another entity after having been selected as a finalist in this competition, please notify the KgalagadiPhotography.com Team immediately through contact us page on this website.

• You may not enter the same image into the competition more than once unless it's been converted in black in white or other way around.

• Photographers can enter a maximum of 3 images per month of around 500kb each for the duration of the competition.

Subject matter

• Only subject matter taken in and around the Kgalagadi region (for this competition) territory and immediate surroundings are eligible for entry.

• Harassment of both people and animals or destruction of the environment in pursuit of an image will not be tolerated.

• Images will be rejected should there be any baiting and/or manipulation of animal behavior to the advantage of the photographer. Animals must be free-roaming and not held in captive or restrictive environments, even for rehabilitation purposes.

• Images taken from hides will be accepted.

The story of the image or the story when the image was captured.

• We are interested  in the story of the photos or poem. 

Image editing and AI.

• Photographer must capture the image with a camera and traditional enhancements allowed such as saturation, levels, shadows and highlights, vibrancy etc.

• Artistic interpretations are allowed to be entered in the artistic category but images must accurately and realistically represent the natural world and specifically the Kgalagadi. We will request the original RAW or JPEG file if any queries arise. If composites are done in this section all images must have been captured in the same region. (Sky replacements)

• A artistic category will be open from this year.

Terms and conditions

1. Prizes are non-transferable and no cash alternatives are available.

2. Prizes will be announced on Kgalagadi photography platforms. Facebook, kgalagadiphotography.com and Joe's camera on YouTube.

3. Winner must have valid travel documents (passport, required visas and relevant health certificates) and insurance where applicable.

4. The closing date for entries. Click here. The judges cannot accept responsibility for late entries.

5. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

6. All entrants’ information will be used only in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

7. Multiple winners may be subject to a tie-break to decide an outright winner.

8. Lodges, guest houses and other prize givers may re-allot prizes if we are unable to contact selected winners. Please ensure that you provide the correct contact details.

9. Prizes not claimed within the following 12 months will be forfeited.

10. Any deviation from the rules and/or attempt to manipulate the outcome of the prize will result in disqualification.

11. The winner’s details and winning photograph may be released, performed or displayed to the public by Kgalagadi Photography.com and associated platforms or the sponsors of this competition. The winner’s details will be credited alongside the photograph wherever featured.

12. By entering into this competition it is deemed that you have read and understood these rules.

13. The organizers reserve the right to not award any prizes if the standard of images entered is not of a suitable standard and fit for purpose or display.

14. The entrants give permission for Joe's Camera YouTube channel for photographic tutoring, discussions and critique

15. Your photograph can be used to further advertise the competition and the related social media platforms such as facebook but be credited with your details when and wherever featured.

Judges

Joe Lategan, Margueriet Jones, Finalists of the 2022 Competition Hugh Mitchler, Gerhardt Theron,  and guest/s. Owen Olwens, 

Prizes for PhotographingSA  Photo Competition 2024/25. 

1. First three finalists and their partners win a special inclusive weekend function, accommodation and food sponsored by Kgalagadi lodge . At the event the winner  be announced. 

The winner will receive;

1. Three nights at Cabo beach villas Inhaca island Mozambique.

2. Three nights and days at the big 5 Selati game reserve in the Lowveld.

3. Two nights full board at Ta Shebube lodge rooiputs Kgalagadi 

4. Two nights at Steenbokkie guest house in  Brandvlei on route to Kalahari gemsbok park.    

5. 3 nights weekend during finalist function and a additional 3 nights accommodation for a couple by Kgalagadi lodge 

6. 15 % discount on accommodation at the Kgalagadi lodge for the following year

7. A Enlargement of the winning image to be displayed on the winning wall in the Black Mane restaurant at the lodge until the new image of the following year has been announced. 

8. 15% off all enlargements done for the following year. CatfishJoe Productions

9. 15% discount on all framing done in the following year. CatfishJoe Productions

10. Assistance in marketing of photographer as well as assistance in all photographic matters for the next year. CatfishJoe productions

11. Top three images of the winning photographer to be on display in a gallery at the lodge and offer for sale. Also added to images for sale on the website. .  A web page within the main page. 

12. Three-day photographic guiding and tutoring by Joe Lategan either in Kalahari gemsbok park or the Western Cape. *See details of what this entails.

13. One year Joe’s Camera “frequent shooter” membership benefits

14. Gallery Display and sell your winning image at selected lodges / destinations. 

15. Free shipping/ courier for the next 12 months by Virgo global logistics

16. Full insurance free with courier for 12 months by Virgo Global logistics.

17. A full Page in website PhotographingSA with video interview for promotion of photographer. 

Second place

1. Two nights additional accommodation at the Kgalagadi lodge and a Black Mane butcher box and a A2 canvas to be displayed on winners wall at the lodge

2. Two nights stay at Country lodge Upington

3. R2000 meat including droë wors and biltong voucher form Wickens butchery

4. Prize giving weekend (two nights) for two persons sharing at Kgalagadi lodge accommodation and meals included. (Finalists)

5. 15 % discount on courier costs for the following 12 months by Virgo Global logistics. 

Third place

1. The prize giving weekend accommodation and food and an additional evening accommodation at the lodge as well as a A4 canvas of the images displayed on the winners wall at the Black Mane restaurant. 

2. 15 % discount on courier costs for the following 12 months by Virgo Global logistics.

Best male lion image.

1. A meal for two sponsored by Black Mane restaurant at the lodge.

Category winners

1. Winners of each of the categories will receive 15% discount on accommodation at the lodge to be taken not at peak times. Ending 1 December 2025

2. Animals in landscape; Two nights at Villa Fontane in Yzerfontein in the west coast

3. Animal behavior; Two nights at The Yellow door guest house Yzerfontein west coast.

Note that a category winner does not automatically go through as the overall final six. Category winners will only apply if images are strong enough to be awarded a prize.

Note: All prizes are at judges discretion will be final and where images are not strong enough for a prize a prize will not be awarded.

All entrants agree that the images entered can be used by the owners of Kgalagadi photography, Joes Camera for marketing these  social media platforms. Other use will be with the permission of the photographers. 

Award ceremony/festival: At the Kgalagadi Lodge and Country lodge Upington

Dates: (exact dates to be announced)