Entries Opened: 1 Feb 2023

Closing date: 31 August or 30 Sep 2023 (We will announce closer to the time)

Prize giving event: ( exact dates to be announced later) October/ November 2023 at the Kgalagadi Lodge

Entry fee: Join to become a member of Joe's camera level 1 (Loyalist) R39 per month. See exciting new levels.

What does the competition entail?

• The 2023 Wildlife photographic Competition IS sponsored by Kgalagadi photography (web and facebook ) and the Kgalagadi Lodge and Joe's camera YouTube channel

• You can enter any categories above.

• This competition launches the annual photographic celebration of the creative and unique diversity of the magical Kgalagadi and is limited to locations in, or immediately surrounding the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

• Entering the competition is simple. Join Joe's camera on YouTube and become a level one member at least for R39 per month for the duration of the competition. Then send a 1 megabyte per image per email. Joe@catfishjoe.co.za. All entries are emailed to address above . (5 per month) Heading of mail ; Kgalagadi photo competition and month and category with some information on how and where you took the image and any other information you feel might be relevant to your photograph.

• The competition IS covered throughout the year and Monthly or bimonthly videos are produced of the selection process with critique in the form of coaching on Joe's Camera on YouTube.

Rules of the competition

General

• Entrants must be over 18 years of age FOR OPEN CATEGORY. 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.

• 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.

• Kgalagadi lodge and KgalagadiPhotography.com or any of its associates, members, owners or sponsors will bear no 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 Kgalagadi Photography.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 your image 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 in colour when black and white or visa versa.

• Photographers can enter a maximum of 5 images per month of around 1 megabyte each for the duration of the competition.

Subject matter

• Only subject matter taken in and around the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park 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.

Image editing

• Artistic interpretations are allowed to be entered 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.

• 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 is 31 August 2023. 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. Kgalagadi Lodge 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 three 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 Lodge /Kgalagadi Photography.com or the sponsors of this prize. 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 and selected crew per month

Prizes for Kgalagadi Wildlife Photo Competition 2023

1. First six finalists and their partners win a special inclusive weekend function, accommodation and food sponsored by Kgalagadi lodge . At the event the winner out of the 6 will be announced. Also the winner will be given a page on kgalagadi photography website with 10 images, a video interview , artists statement etc.

2. The winner will receive; R10000 cash, 3 nights weekend during finalist function and a additional 3 nights accommodation for a couple by Kgalagadi lodge . 15 % discount on accommodation at the lodge for the following year. 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. 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. 15% off all enlargements done for the following year. 15% discount on all framing done in the following year. A web page within the main page. Assistance in marketing of photographer as well as assistance in all photographic matters for the next year. 

3. Second place will receive the prize winning weekend inclusive of food as well as R1000 cash and two nights additional accommodation at the lodge and a Black Mane butcher box and a A2 canvas to be displayed on winners wall at the lodge.

4. Third place will receive the prize giving weekend accommodation and food as well as R500 cash and 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.

5. Further The top 3 photographers will be provided an unique opportunity to Exhibit their image of mounted A3 size on the shelve at lodge gallery and offer it for sale. .

6. The winner of the best male lion image will receive a meal for two sponsored by Black Mane restaurant at the lodge.

7. Winners of the categories will receive 25% discount on accommodation at the lodge to be taken not at peak times. Ending 1 December 2023

8. 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 and Kgalagadi Lodge , but with specific credits given to photographers.

Prize giving: At the Kgalagadi Lodge

Dates: (exact dates to be announced) October 2023